Government Criticizes CrossCountry Rail Operator Over Service Issues
The Transport Secretary has expressed serious concerns about CrossCountry and approved a temporary service reduction to address a training backlog. The company, on a remedial plan to improve services, has been criticized for frequent cancellations. The Labour government plans to renationalize most passenger rail services.
The Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh, has expressed 'serious concerns' about the rail operator CrossCountry and has threatened to take action if improvements are not made.
In a letter to the company's interim directors, Haigh reluctantly approved a temporary reduction in services to deal with a backlog of driver training exacerbated by industrial action.
This revised timetable will operate from August 10 to November 9.
Haigh criticized CrossCountry for increasing train cancellations, noting that the company is likely to breach contractual targets.
The company is now on a remedial plan to improve services and has been banned from profiting from the reduced timetable.
CrossCountry has apologized for its poor service and guaranteed that 97% of normal seat capacity will continue to operate.
The operator’s network connects major UK cities including Birmingham, Edinburgh, Bristol, and Manchester.
The Labour government has pledged to renationalize most passenger rail services, introducing the Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill.
CrossCountry’s contract, signed by the previous Conservative government, runs until October 2031.
In a letter to the company's interim directors, Haigh reluctantly approved a temporary reduction in services to deal with a backlog of driver training exacerbated by industrial action.
This revised timetable will operate from August 10 to November 9.
Haigh criticized CrossCountry for increasing train cancellations, noting that the company is likely to breach contractual targets.
The company is now on a remedial plan to improve services and has been banned from profiting from the reduced timetable.
CrossCountry has apologized for its poor service and guaranteed that 97% of normal seat capacity will continue to operate.
The operator’s network connects major UK cities including Birmingham, Edinburgh, Bristol, and Manchester.
The Labour government has pledged to renationalize most passenger rail services, introducing the Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill.
CrossCountry’s contract, signed by the previous Conservative government, runs until October 2031.
