Rail Truth (GB)

Assisting the public with information on how the railway is run in Great Britain. Former onboard train crew with a keen interest in how GBR will change travel.

[Rail Truth (GB) @RailTruthUK]

@potentiallyjeff Hi, rail fares have always been set by the Department for Transport, even during the days of franchising. Nationalisation is unlikely to see lower rail fares unfortunately

[Rail Truth (GB) @RailTruthUK]

@SimonMarsh66834 Hi, train tickets entitle you to be transported from A to B (as stated under National Rail Conditions of Travel, they don’t even specify by train) also the fares are set by the DfT who also receive the revenue from ticket sales. Operators are paid a fixed fee by the Government

[Rail Truth (GB) @RailTruthUK]

@Fran_sez Trainline and Trainpal do use split tickets which can make tickets cheaper. I don’t believe the TOCs apps automatically do this

[Rail Truth (GB) @RailTruthUK]

@Fran_sez Hi, are you sure it was the exact same ticket? The TOCs don’t set the prices for most tickets and their apps all connect to the same back end booking system used by most other TOCs and Trainline. The only difference being Trainline charge booking fees on top of the ticket

[Rail Truth (GB) @RailTruthUK]

@Dr_Kate_Newey EXD to PAD with GWR then MYB to BMO with Chiltern Railways

[Rail Truth (GB) @RailTruthUK]

@MarcRufus1 Hi, just to point out that the “on the train you can” is a National Rail / Department for Transport advertising campaign to advertise rail travel across the UK, not Avanti West Coast’s advert

[Rail Truth (GB) @RailTruthUK]

@Simxmoore Hi, unfortunately the DfT decide how many drivers they can employ as well as how much XC can pay them. Not quite as simple as XC employing more staff

[Rail Truth (GB) @RailTruthUK]

@ultr4_bk Hi, we have such varied temperatures in the UK that our infrastructure needs to withstand a balance of heat and cold (but at a cost of not being able to cope during extremes of those) the metals used on our railway is prone to warping during extreme heat, making it unsafe

[Rail Truth (GB) @RailTruthUK]

@teamhill888 Hi, the infrastructure is some other countries uses materials that are designed to withstand extreme heat, but not cold (because they don’t get cold weather). However ours needs to have a good balance between warm and cold (at a cost of not being able to withstand extremes)

[Rail Truth (GB) @RailTruthUK]

@MunchPudding Regarding First Class, in the UK it only entitles you to a seat or a partial refund. Many operators (Avanti included) offer complimentary food & drink as well as a guaranteed table seat but it’s not included in the price of your ticket (guidelines set by the DfT)

[Rail Truth (GB) @RailTruthUK]

@MunchPudding Hi, just to point out that fares are already set by the Department for Transport across the majority of the rail network and have been since 2021. Nationalisation of the individual operators is unlikely to result in lower ticket prices

[Rail Truth (GB) @RailTruthUK]

@PhilR2025 Hi, GWR won’t profit from overcrowding on trains. Revenue generated by ticket sales goes straight to the Department for Transport. GWR are paid a fixed fee by the Government to run the service

[Rail Truth (GB) @RailTruthUK]

@big_mouth_sucks Do not engage with that account it is a scammer. @CrossCountryUK is the only official CrossCountry account on X

[Rail Truth (GB) @RailTruthUK]

@LindaMorris51p Apologies yes, seems ownership transferred. I’d suggest complaining to your local MP regarding the inconvenience

[Rail Truth (GB) @RailTruthUK]

@Hugo_1st A person has been hit by a train, Network Rail and the British Transport Police have closed the line to trains. You can’t really blame Avanti West Coast for this

[Rail Truth (GB) @RailTruthUK]

@selinahardwick (2/2)… also ticket prices are set by the Department for Transport, who also received all the revenue from ticket sales. CrossCountry are paid a fixed fee by the Government to operate the service

[Rail Truth (GB) @RailTruthUK]

@selinahardwick Hi, in the UK paying for First Class only guarantees a seat (partial refund if you don’t get one). Many operators offer complimentary refreshments (subject to availability) to entice you to First Class. However, refreshments are not included in the ticket price … (1/2)

[Rail Truth (GB) @RailTruthUK]

@Simxmoore Hi, if you want to complain about the problems at XC then contact your local MP. XC are under contract with the Government and are paid a fixed fee by the DfT to run the service. The DfT have the power to force improvements so complaining to your MP might see results

[Rail Truth (GB) @RailTruthUK]

@stephan_wynn_ @WestMidRailway Fault with the signalling system at Birmingham New Street (responsibility of @networkrail who manage and maintain the rail infrastructure)