CrossCountry's catering offering (2015-2017)

[Rich McLean]

Often staff passing on the train (be it catering or TMs/Guards who are not booked to be working it) on XC will help out in first class on the weekends and make tea and offer biscuits, but it's entirely at their own discretion.

 

[herschell]

I suggested to XC on Twitter that they could maybe serve hot drinks between Aberdeen and Edinburgh as a compromise of those who miss out on the meal due to going to one of the Edinburgh stations, they replied "Fair suggestion. We'll pass your comments on."

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

I noticed their FC menu now states that they offer Cream Teas on Weekdays! I look forward to trying those out!

 

[Steddenm]

I noticed their FC menu now states that they offer Cream Teas on Weekdays! I look forward to trying those out!

They have had cream teas on board for quite a while. You get a scone, a pot of jam and a small tub of clotted cream. They're quite nice unless they heat up the scone!

 

[sheff1]

Having just visited the XC Trains website, it appears that the pre-order meal option is ceasing after the 31st May, they are advising passengers that (to quote) "the service is currently under review and passengers wishing to order after this date to check back soon for details of our exciting new offer"

Well over 3 months later the "exciting new offer" has still not been announced on the website. Is it safe to assume it will never materialise ?

 

[takno]

Well over 3 months later the "exciting new offer" has still not been announced on the website. Is it safe to assume it will never materialise ?

It was mentioned in August Modern Railways. They say the results were positive and they want to roll it out, but the original supplier didn't really work out, so they are actively looking for a new one. May just be corporate nonsense, but it suggests that they haven't just decided to forget all about it.

 

[Ash Bridge]

Well over 3 months later the "exciting new offer" has still not been announced on the website. Is it safe to assume it will never materialise ?

If I'm honest I'll have to say that I wasn't impressed at all on a recent weekday journey from Exeter St Davids to Stockport, no first class host and not even a drink offered until well after Cheltenham Spa, there were menu cards showing the complementary food available on all tables but non was offered on the entire journey, it seems to have taken a step back to the bad old days of a few years ago unless I was unlucky and this was just a one off.

It was mentioned in August Modern Railways. They say the results were positive and they want to roll it out, but the original supplier didn't really work out, so they are actively looking for a new one. May just be corporate nonsense, but it suggests that they haven't just decided to forget all about it.

Let's hope you're right!

 

[takno]

If I'm honest I'll have to say that I wasn't impressed at all on a recent weekday journey from Exeter St Davids to Stockport, no first class host and not even a drink offered until well after Cheltenham Spa, there were menu cards showing the complementary food available on all tables but non was offered on the entire journey, it seems to have taken a step back to the bad old days of a few years ago unless I was unlucky and this was just a one off.


Let's hope you're right!

A lot of the first class hosts seem to just hide in the service area and hope you don't go looking for them. I'm not really clear on whether they are taking a break or just skiving, but I'd say it's been the case for about half the journey on trips I've taken, which is a bit of a joke tbh.

 

[Jonfun]

A lot of the first class hosts seem to just hide in the service area and hope you don't go looking for them. I'm not really clear on whether they are taking a break or just skiving, but I'd say it's been the case for about half the journey on trips I've taken, which is a bit of a joke tbh.

Are you sure you're not mistaking the Train Manager for the First Class Host? I'm reasonably certain that the vast majority of (if not all) First Class Hosts would not hide in the train galley for however many hours they're on board without serving at least once. Train Managers on the other hand have no responsibility whatsoever for catering.

 

[Deafdoggie]

I'm fairly sure it would be the TM. The First Class hosts on XC are generally very good. However, they do seem to be short of them. Which would explain there not being one. Generally the trolley comes through instead, but that can take some time.


Once I had a host who was very good, seen a few times. Then at New Street a couple of men in suits (with an XC shirt and tie) and an XC name badge that said something like "Revenue Protection" got on, had a word with him, one got off with him, the other remained on and served First Class. Never saw the host again! Having used that service many times before and since, I know that there is not a booked host change there

 

[221129]

I'm fairly sure it would be the TM. The First Class hosts on XC are generally very good. However, they do seem to be short of them. Which would explain there not being one. Generally the trolley comes through instead, but that can take some time.

Not short of them, some trains are'nt booked to have one.

 

[Blindtraveler]

I have to say XC are as a rule generally good at establishing which trains do well in First and matching hosts with demand, are you watching here VTEC?

 

[Jonfun]

Once I had a host who was very good, seen a few times. Then at New Street a couple of men in suits (with an XC shirt and tie) and an XC name badge that said something like "Revenue Protection" got on, had a word with him, one got off with him, the other remained on and served First Class. Never saw the host again! Having used that service many times before and since, I know that there is not a booked host change there

I'm sure there isn't some Revenue Support team kidnapping racket going on

Revenue Support Specialists at XC, unlike Train Managers, are - in theory, if not in practice - expected to assist with catering and customer service duties when not doing revenue. Most likely there was no FCH to take over.

 

[elliotjelliot]

I travelled cross country recently and whilst I was seen to quickly, I found the first class host to be very reluctant and made me feel like I was committing a crime asking for a drink. The menu's are always creased or ripped with rubbish sometimes still present on the tables.

These first class hosts have only 1 carriage of 26 passengers or less in most cases to look after and frankly they do a poor job. I have seen two VTEC First class hosts manage 3 coaches of first class and still manage a smile and provide a comfortable and well serviced environment to travel in.

 

[221129]

I travelled cross country recently and whilst I was seen to quickly, I found the first class host to be very reluctant and made me feel like I was committing a crime asking for a drink. The menu's are always creased or ripped with rubbish sometimes still present on the tables.

These first class hosts have only 1 carriage of 26 passengers or less in most cases to look after and frankly they do a poor job. I have seen two VTEC First class hosts manage 3 coaches of first class and still manage a smile and provide a comfortable and well serviced environment to travel in.

Again, are you sure it was a first class host you were dealing with? The Menus are creased due to the way they are stored in the Galley area. With regards to rubbish, if passengers used the bins provided would be a good start, but also some major stations can see a high turnover of passengers in that compartment which means that there may not have been time between them leaving and you getting on to have a tidy up. I have never found the issues you describe with XC first class.

 

[elliotjelliot]

Yeah I am very sure. All I am saying is that I feel that as a long distance operator where passengers expect comfort and a good service, there should be more effort.

I am not saying all XC 1st class hosts are bad but my experiences just show to me that improvement is needed.

 

[delt1c]

We have a 6 hour journey next week in Bulgaria with ex DB compartment stock (loco hauled) and no catering. We will buy in advance all we need and enjoy the journey. I would love a Buffet or resturaunt car but appreciate the journey and scenery, mountains, valleys and so much more. what is the length of the average cross country journey?
enjoy and appreciate the journey

 

[elliotjelliot]

The longest XC journey in the UK is Aberdeen to Penzance which is 13hours and 23mintues. Not sure if any of the sleepers are longer

 

[Blindtraveler]

Fort William on a Sunday departs 19:00 arrives Euston 07:47.

 

[221129]

The longest XC journey in the UK is Aberdeen to Penzance which is 13hours and 23mintues. Not sure if any of the sleepers are longer

There are very few passengers on for the whole duration though. Most are only on for about 2-3hours.

 

[elliotjelliot]

Yeah I get that. Though I feel like it should be on my bucket list to try it haha

 

[221129]

Yeah I get that. Though I feel like it should be on my bucket list to try it haha

Indeed same here, I need to do it on a Saturday though.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

You've only got until December to do it before it is cut!

 

[221129]

You've only got until December to do it before it is cut!

Your source for that? No one has told us that?

 

[Blindtraveler]

It was in the proposed cuts/reorgonisations/improvements but the Scottish Govd amongst others didnt like the service revisions for Aberdeen so for now its staying as is. Its on my bucket list for the future.

 

[221129]

It was in the proposed cuts/reorgonisations/improvements but the Scottish Govd amongst others didnt like the service revisions for Aberdeen so for now its staying as is. Its on my bucket list for the future.

Indeed, I knew it was proposed, but was under the impression it was scrapped a long time ago. Although May Timetable could be a different story altogether.

 

[Blindtraveler]

IMO it should be an HST for the real quality nausalgic rail experience.

Wish they retime it by 15 mins though so it connects with the GW Beds at the Zance.

 

[Qwerty133]

It was in the proposed cuts/reorgonisations/improvements but the Scottish Govd amongst others didnt like the service revisions for Aberdeen so for now its staying as is. Its on my bucket list for the future.

If the Scottish government would like to fund extra units to allow Voyagers to run around carting air they can do so but unless they do they should be told where to go when it comes to the use of stock on franchises that are 90% in England.

 

[takno]

If the Scottish government would like to fund extra units to allow Voyagers to run around carting air they can do so but unless they do they should be told where to go when it comes to the use of stock on franchises that are 90% in England.

Cross Country put out a "consultation" without really telling anybody so that they could make changes a few months later based on nobody objecting. Quite a smart move, but it didn't work - once the document was actually pointed out to the various interested parties they objected quite strongly, and the changes couldn't then be passed off as uncontroversial.

I suspect the changes will eventually end up being made, but only once they have been properly negotiated between the Scottish Government and DfT. That's how devolution and shared responsibility is supposed to work.

Incidentally as far as I can remember the logic behind changing the Aberdeen service was less to do with "carting around empty air", than it was with operational convenience and being able to offer a better on-board service.

 

[Buzz Lightyear]

I am holidaying in Northumberland next week and propose to have a day out in Edinburgh travelling from Berwick .

In first class will I get fed on either the out journey or return journey on cross country or VTEC

Thanks in advance