Call for evidence - Arriva's Cross Country record

[voyagerdude220]

One annoyance for me, which probably doesn't affect many at all, is the promise of 'hot plated meals' served in First Class.
Call me picky for deeming the current hot microwaveable stuff not good enough, but VT have spent money on their new mini ovens on the Super Voyagers. So you can get a mini cooked breki on VT, but only a bacon roll etc on XC.

 

[ainsworth74]

One annoyance for me, which probably doesn't affect many at all, is the promise of 'hot plated meals' served in First Class.

I don't think you're the only one. Personally I think the catering provision in both first and standard class on XC is insufficient for the journeys that their services cover. Even bearing in mind that most are under 100 miles just a trolley is insufficient. They really should have a shop which could at least then offer standard class customers something hot like a panini or baguette. Whilst refitting the space for the first class catering with something other than that microwave would also be a good idea. I guess we just have to hope that the next franchise does something to address this for both classes.

 

[RobShipway]

I don't think you're the only one. Personally I think the catering provision in both first and standard class on XC is insufficient for the journeys that their services cover. Even bearing in mind that most are under 100 miles just a trolley is insufficient. They really should have a shop which could at least then offer standard class customers something hot like a panini or baguette. Whilst refitting the space for the first class catering with something other than that microwave would also be a good idea. I guess we just have to hope that the next franchise does something to address this for both classes.

The problem that Virgin had though when having a shop within the XC voyagers was re - stocking it. For instance, the one time I travelled on a Voyager from Reading to go to Bournemouth they where not able to re - stock the food as the train had travelled down from Edingburgh, the shop had got re - stocked in Manchester but that food had been eaten by the time it got to Birmingham.

There was no re - stocking at Birmingham, so all you had was headphones and warm drinks being sold all the way down to Bournemouth.

Admitedly after many complaints, Virgin did re - stock the shop after that at more places on route including Reading.

With regards to the current Arriva XC service, I have never seen any signs of a trolley between Reading and Birmingham even on trains that have started in Bournemouth. Surely I would have at least expected to see it at least once if it existed? This is why I think Arriva should have a shop rather than a trolley as other people have said, unfortunately though with the current trains it means that there would be even less seats on all ready cramped trains. This is one of the many reasons that I think not only should there by pantograph coaches added, but extra coaches added as well such that the four car 220's become six and the five car become six as well with adding the pantograph car. Although, the extending of the trains is something that I think Arriva should have thought about before taking the franchise on in the same way that First will be providing 11 six car electric trains for ICWC.

 

[David10]

Although, the extending of the trains is something that I think Arriva should have thought about before taking the franchise on in the same way that First will be providing 11 six car electric trains for ICWC.

Unlike ICWC, the XC franchise requires a massive subsidy so any change in rolling stock will need approval (and funding) from the DfT. Virgin put the case forward to extend the Voyagers a number of times, but always was knocked back. When last tendered, Virgin proposed extra carriages for the Voyagers, Arriva reintroducing HSTs, to meet the requirement for capacity growth.

 

[tbtc]

Unlike ICWC, the XC franchise requires a massive subsidy

This is something I don't understand.

The trains on XC are busy, the fares on XC are high, yet the franchise is loss making and there's no scope for longer trains?

Obviously some things about XC make it expensive to run (lots of small depots etc), but you'd think that it had scope for longer trains.

 

[Pen Mill]

XC are shocking, extortionate fares, dragging their feet on wifi, catering scaled back - just what you need when travelling Aberdeen - Penzance.

I've never done that trip , anyone who has put their hand up.

I've done Taunton-Birmninghamn and Bristol-Manchester a few times and found the trains to be comfortable quick and reasonably priced.
Toilet smells still get my oversensitive nose from time to time but it's not a massive distraction.
No problem with XC for me.

 

[185]

I don't think you're the only one. Personally I think the catering provision in both first and standard class on XC is insufficient for the journeys that their services cover.

Agree. Plymouth to Manchester without a single pass of a catering trolley is unnacceptable; twice now that's happened to me. Got so hungry & dehydrated, bailed off at Stafford once.

Other times it has been on, it's been stuck due to luggage.

 

[Greenback]

This is something I don't understand.

The trains on XC are busy, the fares on XC are high, yet the franchise is loss making and there's no scope for longer trains?

Obviously some things about XC make it expensive to run (lots of small depots etc), but you'd think that it had scope for longer trains.

My own view is that both VT and Arriva have made a mess with their pricing on XC. This, i believe, is largely due to the mixed traffic flows which make it difficult to create a meaningful and workable strategy that allows maximum revenue yield from short distance commuters, middle distance business and leisure travellers, and the occasional long distance passenger.

Add to this the introduction of the various time restrictions, which seem to operate on the basis that passengers are too dull to find ways around them by splitting etc, and it seems quite likely to me that the pricing managers at XC expected to greatly increase revenue (mostly from the shorter distance travellers) and that this simply hasn't happened as forecast.

There's also the fact that the pricing has forced people on to alternative routes (where they exist), such as my favourite ATW to Manchester than TPE /Northern for destination in the north of England and Scotland. For many flows, it's also more attractive to travel via London, both in terms of speed and comfort. This must also have had an effect on revenue.

In short, packed XC trains are most likely full to bursting with people mostly doing short journeys for which XC does not receive as much money as they expected to when they took on the franchise.

 

[ainsworth74]

I've never done that trip , anyone who has put their hand up.

I'm aware of one person on the forum who has, if they see your post I'm sure they'll comment on it.

 

[Mojo]

I don't think you're the only one. Personally I think the catering provision in both first and standard class on XC is insufficient for the journeys that their services cover. Even bearing in mind that most are under 100 miles just a trolley is insufficient. They really should have a shop which could at least then offer standard class customers something hot like a panini or baguette. Whilst refitting the space for the first class catering with something other than that microwave would also be a good idea. I guess we just have to hope that the next franchise does something to address this for both classes.

Although in my opinion the First class offering on CrossCountry is improved from the days of Virgin on CrossCountry.

CrossCountry have recruited new First Class Hosts, extending the dedicated service at seat from Bristol to Plymouth, Reading to Bournemouth and Newcastle to Edinburgh. First class service is also now available for an extra 3 hours each day compared to Virgin. In addition, the food offering is now much better than the days of 'snack boxes.'

 

[ainsworth74]

Although in my opinion the First class offering on CrossCountry is improved from the days of Virgin on CrossCountry.

True, but I wonder what the consistency is like compared to previously? I've heard plenty of people say that they didn't get the complementary offer that they were supposed to get. And whilst the offering has improved I still think it's a bit poor, though I suppose it's now limited by the available equipment on board rather than what XC are willing to offer.