Which UK passenger rail company would you say was the best?

Question

Out of all of the English passenger rail companies, which is the best?

Based on performance, cleanliness, punctuallity and reliability, or just plain good?

Please give a reason with your answer.

Answer 1

Chiltern - they are innovative, having introduced new destinations and turned a backwater railway (remember BR wanted to close Marylebone Station) into an operation which does its job quietly and efficiently, day in/day out 24/7.

Answer 2

Island Line

on the isle of wight

with its cool 1940s tube trains

Answer 3

I have to disagree regarding First Group - I have no experience of any First Group company other than First Capital Connect, which is 'affectionately' known as Worst Capital Connect.

Rush hour: packed trains, delayed, cancelled.

Off-peak: pretty packed trains. Delays all round still.

The insides of the trains aren't always clean either. I very rarely see any staff on board the trains.

Having said that, the class 315s of National Express East Anglia are pretty yucky.

The best I've experienced are probably East Midland Trains, although the trains often are packed. But even standing between carriages is a pleasant experience! They arrive at stations two minutes before the scheduled departure time, and depart on time. The trains are almost always spotless, with friendly staff, and VERY rarely are they delayed.

(I also love the EM livery. It makes my heart want to sing.)

Southeastern weren't too bad approaching rush hour though, and travelling on c2c is an enjoyable experience.

Answer 4

Grand Central. Double-spaced seats in a clean, almost empty carriage, and real bacon sarnies cooked fresh in the buffet car. And Scrabble boards built into the tables. The guard will lend you the pieces if you get bored!

No cheap advance fares, but York to London for about £35 on the day isn't bad.

I should admit though, I went for free. Got on by mistake in York, meaning to change at Doncaster, but GC don't stop anywhere else before London so I got a compulsory free trip =))

Answer 5

personally any First Group Rail company...

ok they have had some problems on Great Western... but they are one of the countries super brands and they have a strong brand image that inspires confidence in the firm that are transporting you.

iv never been on a First Group operated service where i have had to put up with an untrained, rude or uninformed staff member so that means im happy to trust them.

not to mention that iv rarelyy if ever been on a First Group Service that is dirty inside or out...

They even have specialist teams in scotland that go out daily to clean stations , repaint them and repair damage that in other areas wold be left to a contractor