Southeastern Railway cancels services over suspected bedbug sightings

Six Southeastern Railway services between London and Kent were cancelled following reports of suspected bedbugs on trains. The disruption occurred after insects were reportedly seen crawling between passenger seats on a City Beam service operating from the Slade Green Depot in Bexley.

Internal communications indicated that a driver in Hastings spotted insects near a door, while an incident log noted an “infestation” reported by staff at the Kent Integrated Control Centre. The affected train was removed from service upon reaching Dartford, leading to several knock-on cancellations.

Southeastern has disputed claims of a widespread passenger-area infestation. While reports and photographs of insects have circulated, the operator stated that specialists inspected the carriages and found no evidence of bedbugs in passenger areas. The company maintained that previous confirmed incidents in September were limited to drivers' cabs and suggested that recent sightings might involve other insect species common in colder weather.