As a daily XC passenger... sorry... “customer”, I have been saying this for years but the answer from XC is always the same, notwithstanding the fact that many trains are packed and standing, often to levels that feel dangerous.
These services, being some of the longest distance point to point journeys, should be the longest and most comfortable trains in the UK.
They should have facilities commensurate with other such long distance services on the continent including more tables, an element of compartment seating for families and business people, a large luggage car, restaurant and buffet facilities.
As it is the offering feels like a budget airline without the perfumes. A minimum standard of service should be an LNER-standard Class 80x bi-mode with 9 coaches and a buffet counter.
Are the CrossCountry HST’s generally less overcrowded? If so I can alter my journey to get on one of those insteadHSTs seem like the only option. Even then lack of cash to lease them and the franchise due to expire next year I suspect the situation will remain until at least 2023. Though the Williams Review does means no franchises anymore as it has been announced the system has been scrapped. A competition style system seems the likely option so CrossCountry could end up looking very different so no solutions until 2023 at the earliest
Are the CrossCountry HST’s generally less overcrowded? If so I can alter my journey to get on one of those instead
Not really a problem with the HSTs is it? They could easily be separately diagrammed to one route. But I’m losing track of how many times this alleged problem with 222s has been discussed before...I doubt very much that XC will take EMR’s 222’s due to their inability to operate in multiple with 220/221’s.
I doubt very much that XC will take EMR’s 222’s due to their inability to operate in multiple with 220/221’s.
HSTs seem like the only option. Even then lack of cash to lease them and the franchise due to expire next year I suspect the situation will remain until at least 2023.
In my experience, the HST that works 1S51 12:25 Plymouth - Glasgow Central remains reasonably quiet as far as Birmingham, it only gets really busy from there northwards. I'm not sure how any later northbound HST workings fare, but having seven carriages has got to help.Are the CrossCountry HST’s generally less overcrowded? If so I can alter my journey to get on one of those instead
They should have facilities commensurate with other such long distance services on the continent including more tables, an element of compartment seating for families and business people, a large luggage car, restaurant and buffet facilities.
As it is the offering feels like a budget airline without the perfumes. A minimum standard of service should be an LNER-standard Class 80x bi-mode with 9 coaches and a buffet counter.
Thank you. I have an off peak return so presumably I can take any route as long as it starts and ends at the same stations? I can easily get the HST from Plymouth if this is the casecant say as I do not travel on them but they are longer as they have more seats so my best guess is yes. The voyagers are too small and are inadequate for the job. It might be a good idea to change your journey to a HST if possible. Sometimes XC run two voyagers.
That’s good news! I’m travelling off peak too so I’m thinking getting the HST is a much better option.In my experience, the HST that works 1S51 12:25 Plymouth - Glasgow Central remains reasonably quiet as far as Birmingham, it only gets really busy from there northwards. I'm not sure how any later northbound HST workings fare, but having seven carriages has got to help.
Scratch that - the 1225 from Plymouth isn’t off peakThank you. I have an off peak return so presumably I can take any route as long as it starts and ends at the same stations? I can easily get the HST from Plymouth if this is the case
Never mind - that journey isn’t off peakThat’s good news! I’m travelling off peak too so I’m thinking getting the HST is a much better option.
Not really a problem with the HSTs is it? They could easily be separately diagrammed to one route. But I’m losing track of how many times this alleged problem with 222s has been discussed before...
Sorry, to clarify I meant the alleged problem of “not being able to use them at all”, because they couldn’t multiple with 220/1.Alleged? when I signed 222s we were told quite clearly that we did not attach to 220/221s under any circumstances
Why does XC run such short trains on such long journeys? For example the Penzance to Glasgow route is (I believe) run by a 4-5 carriage voyager - no wonder they're always overcrowded!
Sorry, to clarify I meant the alleged problem of “not being able to use them at all”, because they couldn’t multiple with 220/1.
Feel free to ask in the Fares Advice section if you want to know about permitted routes and valid times you can travel with your ticket: https://www.railforums.co.uk/forums/fares-advice-policy.105/ or, for more general queries regarding trip planning, feel free to ask at https://www.railforums.co.uk/forums/trip-planning-reports.24/Thank you. I have an off peak return so presumably I can take any route as long as it starts and ends at the same stations? I can easily get the HST from Plymouth if this is the case