I’m a regular commuter between Stoke and Birmingham so use Cross Country as there’s little alternative. The London Northwestern from Crewe, which is days gone by was direct to Euston then curtailed to Birmingham now doesn’t go beyond Stafford, so entails a change.
The voyager stock is decent, just too little of it. Even on peak arrivals into Birmingham from the North it’s occasionally a 4 car service and afternoon peak departures going North from Birmingham are regularly packed with people standing all down the aisle and the vestibule crammed. Some of this is short hops to Wolverhampton but it’s by no means empty and generally still standing room only to at least Stafford.
I generally reserve a seat (thank you GWR!) but often coming home can’t even get near it.
Capacity is the issue, I’ve complained several times to XC, they say stock is dictated by DfT; I’ve complained to DfT and they say stock is the choice of the TOC.
We have a new (Labour) MP; I’ve written to her setting out the problem and the finger pointing which has gone on and asked her to work with the parties to identify who really does call the shots and then to pressure them to improve the situation.
I’d encourage everyone experiencing issues to do the same to start to build the pressure.