'Allo! I'm not contributing to Ciao for the time being but if you are bored / desperate / weird enou...
'Allo! I'm not contributing to Ciao for the time being but if you are bored / desperate / weird enough to wish to continue to read my ramblings, you can find me on Dooyoo under the user name plipplop. See you around! :P
Member since:15.07.2000
Reviews:694
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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 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. .
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 StanstedAirport 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 Ģ8 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.
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Good review. I like their class 170 turbostar trains. (trainspotter language) My favourite though are Virgin's Voyager trains. (hence my name) Ian
ampuk2000 08.12.2003 14:18
Good review. One of the main problems with Central Trains has is that they if a train to Stansted airport is delayed by say 30 minutes they nearly always terminate the service at Cambridge instead meaning that you have to change twice to actually get to Stansted.
stevethesleeve 18.10.2001 18:10
Other deposits eh? Sounds very nasty! Nice objective op, though. Well written and clearly stated. Great! Steve
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