I'd say franchising has a bit to do with it.
Chiltern got a long franchise because of the amount of money the private sector is ploughing into it, so the DfT has left it to virtually to it's own devices provided it sticks to the usual franchise service requirements. Can refurbish fleets to a decent standard as it can recoup it's investment.
CrossCountry got let on a cheap bid, that outbid Virgin and was mainly based on cost savings and bums on seats. Loss of Brighton, no real investment in the Voyager fleet, shop been removed, no time for investment returns due to the franchise length compared to Chiltern with MK3s, Evergreen and Oxford Projects.
Arriva Trains Wales has a lot of support from the Welsh Assembly.
Chiltern got a long franchise because of the amount of money the private sector is ploughing into it, so the DfT has left it to virtually to it's own devices provided it sticks to the usual franchise service requirements. Can refurbish fleets to a decent standard as it can recoup it's investment.
CrossCountry got let on a cheap bid, that outbid Virgin and was mainly based on cost savings and bums on seats. Loss of Brighton, no real investment in the Voyager fleet, shop been removed, no time for investment returns due to the franchise length compared to Chiltern with MK3s, Evergreen and Oxford Projects.
Arriva Trains Wales has a lot of support from the Welsh Assembly.