The question which really needs to be asked is why aren't XC generating enough revenue to fund investment in longer and more frequent trains?
The trains I have seen across a number of different routes always well loaded, indeed excessively so in some cases which often deters repeat business. But if the trains are packed with advance saver fares, they are probably struggling to break even. They need to invest in more capacity with a premium product and try to make more from upselling and meal service. Not a full blow onboard kitchen, but an easily delivered meal suitable for a 4+ hour journey. They need to maximise revenue to be able to invest.
Packed with advance saver fares you say… no chance, they are the most expensive train operator out of the 9 I have used in the past year (peak fares to London not included). No bargains to be had on their network. Artificially managing demand with high pricing is the name of the game, that being much easier to do and less costly to the DafT!
Oh, and they have destroyed the Cardiff to Nottingham service, anybody tried to use that recently? Probably related to increasing the frequency between Birmingham and Nottingham, but the Cardiff end has been in meltdown throughout December.
What you’ve described there is a network in and around London that performs well and not the rest of the country… TfW, TPE, Northern, XC etc.Yet swathes of the network continue to perform well, notably the bits free of above mentioned government interference. The Elizabeth Line has been a triumph, London Overground works well and has also been a huge success story since it launched. On the DfT side there are many issues, but (eg) GA and C2C get a good write up. So the above statement is far too general and simplistic.
What exactly is there to be gained by saying “it’s a disgrace” without considering why the problems exist?
Maybe the OP could have specified the network is a disgrace outside London!
For the record I don’t necessarily agree completely, I have managed to get to my destination using Northern and XC recently, cost to me, nothing thanks to delay repay!