Cross Country Trains - Why is it so expensive?

[All Line Rover]

XC actually have a very good food service now. In my opinion it's superior to Virgin WC. They have hot meals for sale on Voyager and HST trains which have decent portion sizes.

Granted it's not complimentary, and the fares are not cheap...

Do you not have to order in advance for this "service"? Nor does a chargeable food provision, available to both first and standard class, address the fact that the XC first class catering provision is very poor when spending e.g. £660 for a Cheltenham to Edinburgh FOR.

 

[AlterEgo]

Do you not have to order in advance for this "service"? Nor does a chargeable food provision, available to both first and standard class, address the fact that the XC first class catering provision is very poor when spending e.g. £660 for a Cheltenham to Edinburgh FOR.

Yes, it is advance ordering only.

I've never seen anyone with a £660 ticket, but fair point. (Advances are still ruinously expensive on that route)

 

[cactustwirly]

Do you not have to order in advance for this "service"? Nor does a chargeable food provision, available to both first and standard class, address the fact that the XC first class catering provision is very poor when spending e.g. £660 for a Cheltenham to Edinburgh FOR.

But it's a train not a restaurant, no one is forcing you to travel in first.

 

[Jonfun]

Yes, it is advance ordering only.

It used to be purchasable on the day on certain trains too, though that may have changed since they've jazzed up the menu.

 

[bb21]

At least they are making an effort and innovating, which is more than can be said for some other TOCs.

 

[Starmill]

XC actually have a very good food service now. In my opinion it's superior to Virgin WC. They have hot meals for sale on Voyager and HST trains which have decent portion sizes.

Granted it's not complimentary, and the fares are not cheap...

Their menu that is complimentary is very good I agree. Unfortunately it's available M-F, not on bank holidays or over Christmas, and only on the sections of the journey for which there is a First Class host diagrammed. For example if you take post morning peak departures from Manchester Piccadilly, most do not seem to have a host diagrammed. So all you get served is a hot drink by the retail service manager.

 

[Master29]

I avoid Cross Country like the plague for the two main reasons we're all familar with: horrible trains and high fares.

On the rare occasions when I've had to get on one of their Voyagers I've always been surprised by how busy First Class is. There must be enough people prepared to pay the high fares to sit in the relatively small capacity available. So I doubt that the operator cares that we find them expensive.

The HST`s are rather nice but as you say exorbitant fares. HST`s also have more 1st class seats but at still the same prices so as you say it can`t be capacity. As a sidelight I often use them from Cornwall to Bristol and book just a couple of days in advance, where often the advance fares are certainly cheaper than GWR and as cheap as they would be if bought 3 months in advance. However once passed Bristol the fares skyrocket.

 

[Clansman]

Travelling first class on West Coast is usually good value if you can time it right but why is travelling first class on Cross Country trains such a joke. I have no idea what you are paying for. It's the most expensive cup of tea you'll ever buy.Rude staff. No food to speak of. No point.

Sometimes it's nice just to pay a bit more for a more comfortable journey. Especially on pay day when you are absolutely done in so to speak, from the previous weeks work, having a more comfortable journey with an at seat service, including a meal is sometimes what you need just to chill out and watch the country side go by.

Due severe delays at Retford the other day, my 1st class ticket was valid on XC services, and although I try to avoid at all costs, I didn't think twice to board one when the HST turned up on the Glasgow Central service. I must say, the catering has improved vastly on XC food and service wise and I think that it's not far off VTEC and VTWC.

At least they are making an effort and innovating, which is more than can be said for some other TOCs.

This.