Waiting for her train to Glasgow, Beth Johnston summed up what many travelers feel about London’s Euston Station: “It’s a nightmare.” Euston has long been known for its hectic atmosphere, overcrowded platforms, and last-minute announcements, which leave passengers feeling stressed and rushed. However, after many complaints, there have been some changes aimed at improving the experience for commuters. Now, passengers are seeing earlier boarding announcements, and a large digital billboard that once bombarded travelers with ads has been turned off.

These adjustments are already making a difference. Before rush hour hits, a calmer atmosphere can be felt as commuters stroll leisurely through the station. Some even have enough time to grab a coffee or listen to carol singers performing for the crowd. This new calm is a welcome change for many who are used to the hustle and bustle of Euston. But does this mean the station has transformed into a pleasant place? Not entirely.

Helen, a 43-year-old who works in pensions, regularly travels from the Midlands to London to visit her family or watch a play. Euston has been a difficult station for her because her mom and uncle have mobility issues, making the usual crowds and last-minute platform announcements tough to navigate. Helen describes her past visits as “a nightmare.” She explains, “Even with reserved seats, people rush when the platform is announced. If we have more time, it would reduce the ‘crush and rush’ we always experience.”

Last month, the overcrowding problem at Euston caught the attention of London TravelWatch, the city’s travel watchdog, which raised alarms about passenger safety. In response, the transport secretary, Louise Haigh, ordered Network Rail to make some changes, including switching off the glaring advertising board that replaced Euston’s main departure board. This board was meant to provide information, but many passengers found it “confusing and weird.” Instead of clear information about departures, it displayed ads, which only added to the chaotic feel of the station.

Beth Johnston, who often travels with her friend Euan McGeehan, says the changes are helpful but can only go so far. “The design of the station itself causes mayhem. It feels like a full stampede sometimes. Kids run around, and there’s no designated place for people to stand, so everyone ends up getting pushed around,” she explains.

To address the rush to platforms, Network Rail has allowed some trains to start boarding earlier. For example, passengers can board certain Avanti trains 20 minutes before they depart, giving them extra time to find their seats and avoid the “platform dash.” However, this new boarding option only applies to about 40% of Avanti’s services, meaning many passengers still find themselves sprinting to catch their trains.

One of those passengers is Ope, a 28-year-old civil servant. While rushing to his train, he says, “I usually try to get to the station 10 to 15 minutes before departure, but my train is often delayed, so it’s still chaotic getting through the crowd.” Ope appreciates the changes but wonders how long they will be kept in place. “It would be really helpful if I could rely on having 20 minutes to get on the train every time. It would make things much less stressful,” he adds.

For some, the hope is that these adjustments will make Euston a more welcoming and supportive environment. Matthew James, a manager from Lancashire, travels through Euston regularly for work and often sees people struggling with their bags in the crowd. He recalls a recent experience with an elderly man who was having trouble managing his luggage. Matthew helped him out, and the man said, “You’re not from around here, are you?” The pace of life at Euston is usually so fast that small gestures like this are rare. “It would be nice to see things slow down,” Matthew says.

While these new measures are a positive step, they haven’t entirely solved Euston’s problems. The station’s layout remains a challenge. The design does little to help manage the flow of people, which contributes to the constant sense of rush and frustration among passengers. Even with these recent changes, travelers feel that Euston still has a long way to go to become a pleasant place to pass through.

For now, the early boarding and quieter atmosphere are a welcome improvement. Passengers no longer have to deal with ads flashing in their faces while they wait, and some have enough time to grab a drink before getting on their trains. But as Beth Johnston points out, the station’s overall design is still a problem, one that no amount of policy changes can fully fix. “It’s like they’ve put a small bandage on a big problem,” she says.

In the end, while Euston has taken steps to become more commuter-friendly, it’s clear there’s still work to be done. Many travelers hope these changes are only the beginning and that Euston will continue to evolve into a station that’s not only functional but also more considerate of its passengers. For now, though, commuters are simply grateful for any improvement that makes their journey a little less stressful.