15/10/2008. From Anthony Phelps. I think the congestion charge, if done after there were good alternatives to travelling by road, might work. However, the situation is not perfect. For example, today I travelled on my normal train, the 0803 Northern Rail service from Stalybridge to Manchester Victoria. It arrived with just two carriages, on time, but was "packed to the gills" with "customers". I just managed to squeeze on board, but had to endure an uncomfortable, hot and probably dangerous (according to Health & Safety criteria) journey to my destination. I'd like to challenge a Northern Rail Executive to give up his company car, and travel with me on my journey, just to prove that we need more carriages on peak time trains for customers who're paying fares for their journeys.