County’s train operators ‘Britain’s worst’

Passengers have voted Southeastern and Southern the two worst train companies in Britain.

In a Which? survey of all 25 rail services, Southeastern, which serves most of Kent, came second from bottom at number 24 and Southern Railway, which has been dogged by disputes and strikes, came last.

Southeastern scored only 39% for satisfaction and Southern Railway limped home with 28%. Both received only two stars for not having enough seats or standing space, and the condition of carriages.

Both were also given one star – the lowest mark possible – for value for money.

The survey, released this week, comes after both announced record rises in the cost of tickets.

Southeastern scored slightly better, with three stars, for the frequency of its trains. Southern scored two stars. It also beat Southern, which serves Sussex, Surrey and a small part of Kent, for reliability and punctuality, which both gained two stars.

But neither came close to top performer Grand Central, which scored 64% in the satisfaction survey and a consistent four stars in all categories.

Translink NI Railways came second with 62% and Virgin trains West Coast came third with 61%.

Southeastern’s franchise agreement ends this year and it is one of a number of operators bidding to regain the contract.

Picture: Matthew Walker Southeastern came second from bottom in a Which? passenger survey