Central Trains are my nearest and dearest rail operator, and my experiences of using their services are therefore quite extensive. Whilst I will normally only use Central Trains for connecting services to Virgin or other Inter City routes, travelling with the company has proven to be an experience ... Read review
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Central Trains are my nearest and dearest rail operator, and my experiences of using their services are therefore quite extensive. Whilst I will normally only use Central Trains for connecting services to Virgin or other Inter City routes, travelling with the company has proven to be an experience in itself.
Network
======
Central Trains operate a number of key routes in the Midlands and Wales, although some of ... ...be fair to say that Central Trains has more than its fair share of problems in this area. Trains are regularly significantly late – 30 minutes or more – and I would approximate that one train in twenty is actually cancelled. Silly excuses aside (leaves on the line etc) I would observe that Central Trains suffers most as a result of its own network.
Firstly, most (if not all) of the trains end up at some point in Birmingham ... more
Central Trains are my nearest and dearest rail operator, and my experiences of using their services are therefore quite extensive. Whilst I will normally only use Central Trains for connecting services to Virgin or other Inter City routes, travelling with the company has proven to be an experience in itself.
Network ======
Central Trains operate a number of key routes in the Midlands and Wales, although some of their services run some way outside this network. Central Trains provide services as far South as Stansted Airport, as far east as Norwich and right into Western Wales, but it would be fair to say that most services start, finish or run through Birmingham New Street.
Quality of Transport ===============
Most of the trains that I have used are bright, new coaches with modern comfortable fittings, although on occasion slightly older coaches are brought into use. The trains are normally clean with above average facilities that include disabled toilets, cycle carrying facilities, air conditioning, and a number of safety features. Most services are standard class only, but longer routes are serviced by trains with first class accommodation.
My main criticism of the trains would be that peak services, that therefore carry a high number of passengers, tend to have only two or three carriages, which simply aren’t enough. When I have used peak trains from Birmingham, all the carriages are full, with a considerable number of people standing up – all easily alleviated by simply adding one more carriage.
Also, given the volume of passengers using these trains, the company seem to have difficulty keeping the trains free from litter and “other deposits”. I would therefore suggest that you always check your seat before you sit down. I once had the misfortune of travelling from Liverpool to Birmingham without realising I had sat in something unpleasant. <Exact details not required>.
Punctuality ========
Many of the comments that I could make about punctuality could easily apply to most local rail networks, but I think it would be fair to say that Central Trains has more than its fair share of problems in this area. Trains are regularly significantly late – 30 minutes or more – and I would approximate that one train in twenty is actually cancelled. Silly excuses aside (leaves on the line etc) I would observe that Central Trains suffers most as a result of its own network.
Firstly, most (if not all) of the trains end up at some point in Birmingham New Street. New Street is one of the busiest stations in the UK, and most trains entering or leaving the station are therefore subject to delay, simply as a result of the volume of traffic on the rails in and outside the station. 90% of journeys with Central Trains will involve a few minutes’ delay in Birmingham – largely for no apparent reason.
Secondly, Central Train routes tend to cover a significant distance from start to finish – a train that I board regularly starts in Liverpool Lime Street and terminates in Stansted Airport with a total journey time of more than four hours. Consequentially, even if the train starts off in good time, it is highly unlikely that it will cover such a great distance without picking up some delay somewhere along the line. The knock on effect of this is quite evident in that trains that run first thing in the morning tend to be quite timely, whereas later in the day the network has generally incurred a number of delays, and trains are running late. Quite often, I have been sat on a delayed train in the afternoon that is simply waiting for a driver that has got held up elsewhere.
Thirdly, Central Trains (and indeed most local services) play second fiddle to the InterCity operators – so if a Virgin Train is running late, it will get priority over a Central Train. This normally means sitting idle on a stretch of track, waiting for the Virgin Train to go past. I have often been travelling on a Central Train that starts off on time, but ends up delayed, purely as a result of giving way to a Virgin Train.
Tickets and Railcards ===============
Central Trains tickets may be purchased on line or over the telephone. The company actively support businesses that wish to encourage their employees to travel by train, and offer tailored packages of tickets suited for purpose. Season Tickets can be purchased for periods of 7 days to a year and offer discounts on the standard fare between two destinations. There are a number of infrequent special offers – currently you can purchase four off-peak tickets and pay for only two. In general, the fares are no higher or lower than any of the other networks, and can be used in part on other operators’ trains (although you should check before you board).
You can also purchase All In One tickets that combine the cost of travel with admission to a number of tourist attractions in the area, including Alton Towers, Warwick Castle, Cadbury World and Butlins. The savings aren’t fantastic, but it does mean you can pay for everything in one go (and normally young children are free).
Customer Service ============ Customer service varies greatly from one journey to the next – which comes as no real surprise. The train guards are no better or worse than any other operator that I have used, although I would say that the facilities for disabled passengers are above average.
The company has a very informative web site at www.centraltrains.co.uk that contains timetables, route planners and fare deals. From the web site you can send enquiries via email or you can simply phone the information line on 0121 654 1200.
The best evidence of good customer service with Central Trains is their compensation plan. When travelling from Liverpool one morning, my train was cancelled, which meant that I reached my destination 45 minutes late. For all delays over 30 minutes, Central Trains offer compensation, under the terms of the Central Trains Passenger Charter. Train personnel or station staff will be able to supply you with a pre paid postcard on which to make your claim. I wrote at the end of August and three weeks later received a reply, which offered sincere apologies and £8 in rail vouchers. Whilst this may not sound particularly revolutionary, the general consensus amongst other passengers is that claims are always paid out (at 50% of the relevant fare) and that every time your train is delayed by more than 30 minutes you should claim – so from now on I will be!!
In summary, Central Trains probably do their best with some difficult routes. The problems with delays and cancellations are softened (slightly) by the compensation plan, but I think the company needs to work harder on some of the logistics to improve service in the first place.
Advantages: Cheap Tickets when booking in advance and also they are the only choice! Disadvantages: Slow, delays, terrible coffee!
...Manchester from Peterborough twice with Central Trains and have had varying experiences.
On both journeys I was able to purchase tickets 5 days or more in advance allowing me to make savings off the final ticket price, so the price of £26 was quite reasonable. Both times I was allocated seats. This meant that when I boarded the train they would have a reserve sign on one of the seats so I was guaranteed one. This was good as it ensured I had a seat.
... ...disembark and get onto another central trains service for the same location but with many more passengers.
I was still able to get a seat but as the service continued to Manchester, more and more people got on board and it became very crowded. I was therefore very glad when my train pulled in at Manchester Piccadilly Station and I disembarked.
The following evening after a very enjoyable time seeing a friend, I boarded the return train to Peterborough. ...
marcusflint 13.06.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Central Trains
Advantages: Quick, easy, loads of destinations Disadvantages: Never on time, Weird passengers, Expensive
...8 out of ten (85.1%) Central Trains services arrived at their destinations on time - an improvement of nearly 11% compared to the same period last year when the company achieved 74.6%."
Note - "punctual" means that trains arrive within 10 minutes of their scheduled time. Central Trains cover a wide area from Birmingham, Cardiff, Liverpool, Manchester, Norwich, etc. Example of fares:
A return from Birmingham to Cardiff costs £28 on Central Trains ... ...2.5 hours. £28 with Virgin trains and takes 2 hours.
For long-distance journeys, the fares are quite competetive. However, it's the short distances where it mounts up.
For a single between Walsall and Birmingham it's £2.40, whereas if you got the bus it'd be £1.10. For 15 year olds and under, the prices are usually half adult prices. There's no student discount and usually if you're over 10 you'll need photo ID to prove you're under 15 as they're ...
sakura42 19.07.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Central Trains
Advantages: Sensible fares, frequent services Disadvantages: Poor timekeeping, trains are too short, very variable service quality
...live in the West Midlands, Central Trains are the railway company I use most often, particularly the suburban routes around Birmingham.
I feel that their overall performance can best be described as "variable". On the whole, they don't do anything particularly stupid, but there are regular little niggles that create a feeling of vague annoyance.
First, the trains themselves. Central run a wide variety of trains, so this isn't easy to generalise ... ...in the rush hour, though Central don't seem to appreciate this.
The electric trains used within the "Birmingham blot" are fairly new, and generally clean. The seats are uncomfortable, however, being too hard and plasticky - a common failing of the modern railway companies - and they are not pleasant for long journeys. I have been from Birmingham to Liverpool on these trains several times, and it is not a particularly enjoyable experience.
The newest ...
davidbuttery 24.01.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Central Trains
Advantages: Mostly on time Disadvantages: Dirty trains, very basic.
I travel on Central Trains very regularly, as they share my local line between Telford Central and Wolverhampton with Arriva Trains Wales. Luckily the journeys I have on them are quite short, because some of the trains are quite dinghy.
Well, I say that, it's about half and half. They all have a peculiar smell, but some are so dirty and litter ridden it's hard to find anywhere appealing to sit down. Some of them are actually OK, bright and satisfactory. ... ...due to necessary engineering works, Central Trains have to lay on replacement bus services, these are erratic and barely catchable. They either don't stop at the station, or they stop in some random place next to it, so anybody wanting to get on can't see it. Saying that, that's probably not Central Trains fault.
They have a nice reimbursment scheme which you can claim off if you are delayed by more than 30 minutes. These are apparently standard ...
Trixie_Firecracker 03.05.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Central Trains
Advantages: Large network Disadvantages: Sometimes a poor service
Central Trains are their own worst enemy. They provide train services from Shrewsbury to Nottingham via Birmingham and also to East Anglia. They have provided train services for a long time. So how come they still have not got it right, yet?
Central Trains is the cause of many phone calls to consumer radio programmes in the Midlands. And you often hear a spokesman or spokeswoman coming up with some explanation as to why they have managed to mess ... ...passengers of Central Trains is the fact that Central Trains seems unable to understand that, sometimes, people become ill and have to 'phone in sick.
Of course, it would not be possible (sadly!) to go back to the days when spare staff would wait at strategic locations around the British Rail network, waiting to cover for colleagues who had either fallen ill or who had, due to no fault of their own, become out of position on the rail network, and ...
Martinscholes 15.12.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Central Trains
Frequency of trains
Reliability of trains
Comfort of trains
On-board facilities
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