Southeastern cancelled several train services following the discovery of bedbugs in drivers’ cabs on 22 September 2026. Affected trains were taken out of service to undergo inspection and treatment as necessary.
Routes and Locations Affected
The infested trains were based at West Marina Depot in Hastings. Services disrupted operated on routes running from London to Hastings, passing through Battle, Tunbridge Wells, and Sevenoaks. Southeastern’s operations cover Kent, East Sussex, and Greater London.
Official Statements and Safety Measures
Oly Turner, Southeastern’s head of drivers, described the incidents as isolated and confined to drivers’ cabs on just two trains. He said, “Cases have been contained to the drivers’ cabs in only
two of our trains and no bed bugs have been identified in areas for passengers.” Turner added, “When we receive reports such as these we check trains thoroughly before they are put back into service when given the all clear.”
A Southeastern spokesperson confirmed that affected trains were “returned to a suitable location for inspection and if necessary, treatment.” The operator also emphasized that trains and stations undergo thorough cleaning to maintain passenger safety and confidence.
Passenger Impact and Bedbug Containment
The cancellations caused disruptions on mainline Southeastern routes, particularly services running from London to Hastings and intermediate stations. No bedbugs were detected in passenger
areas of any trains, and High Speed 1 trains remained unaffected by the infestation.
