TransPennine Express and Avanti West Coast named worst train operators in UK

A new study has ranked TransPennine Express, Avanti West Coast and Northern Trains among the top 10 train operators to avoid at all costs.

The ranking was given following numerous disruptions for travellers in Manchester, Liverpool, and Sheffield – with research carried out on data between 2018 and 2022.

The new research was carried out by accident compensation experts at Claims.co.uk, revealing which train operators have the highest percentage of cancelled or significantly late trains to determine which operator is most likely to experience disruptions throughout 2024.   

The data investigated Office of Railway Regulation performance data between 2018 and 2022, analysing over 20 train operators and their performance.

Train operators with the highest percentage of cancelled trains, 2018-2022.

TransPennine Express was revealed as the operator most likely to experience delays throughout the year and ranked as number one on the list.

Between 2018 and 2022, 7.95% of all its trains experienced cancellations or were significantly delayed. 

Furthermore, the data also revealed that only 57% of all trains were on time, which is 18% below the average percentage of on-time trains across all operators. 

TransPennine Express covers routes across Northern England, including Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle and Glasgow.  

Avanti West Coast came in as the second operator to avoid. The data revealed that between 2018 and 2022, 7.58% of all trains were disrupted. 

It also showed that Avanti West Coast ranks as the operator with the most delayed trains, with only 43.5% of trains being on time – 38% below the average percentage of on-time trains across all operators. Avanti West Coast operates nationwide, including services from Manchester to London. 

Govia Thameslink Railway and West Midlands Railways came in at joint-fifth place with 5.77% of trains cancelled during the same period.

And, Northern Trains was handed eighth place with 4.44% of all trains cancelled between 2018 and 2022 and 63.9% of its trains running on time. 

A spokesperson for Claims.co.uk has commented on these findings: “Numerous factors can explain why trains end up delayed or cancelled; these range from infrastructure issues to weather and seasonal issues.  

“TrannsPennine Express ranked as the operator most likely to experience cancellations and delays. The data revealed train faults were this operator’s most common cause of delays.

“Train faults are issues that result in the train being unfit for service; this could range from doors being unable to lock or PA system faults, which prevent instructions from being given out in an emergency. Between 2018 and 2022, TransPennine Express experienced 1,075 train faults.

“It is always best to plan journeys, and if possible, travel slightly earlier as a contingency if trains are delayed or cancelled.” 

The top 10 list of train operators with the highest percentage of cancelled trains, 2018-2022, according to Claims.co.uk, are:

• TransPenine Express
• Avanti West Coast
• London North Eastern Railway
• Caledonian Sleeper
• Govia Thameslink Railway
• West Midlands Railway
• CrossCountry
• TfW Rail
• Northern Trains
• South Wester Railway
• Southeastern