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Commuters least satisfied with Southeastern and Thameslink and Great Northern train services

Both operators received an overall customer score of just 46 per cent

Serina Sandhu
Thursday 18 February 2016 04:58 EST
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The Which? survey found commuters rated Southeastern just two stars for punctuality
The Which? survey found commuters rated Southeastern just two stars for punctuality (Getty)

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Passengers who travel on Southeastern and Thameslink and Great Northern train services are the most dissatisfied in the UK, new figures have revealed.

According to a survey of nearly 7,000 passengers by Which? - published in the consumer group's magazine on Thursday - the overall customer score for both operators was 46 per cent. They both received two-star ratings for value for money, punctuality, availability of seating and cleanliness.

A Southeastern commuter told Which? magazine: “I pay a lot of money and always have to stand – there are not enough seats and not enough trains. I feel extremely ripped off.”

At the other end of the scale, commuters who travelled on Grand Central trains were the most happy with their rail journeys. The operator received five-star ratings for availability of seating, cleanliness, reliability, punctuality and value for money. It received an overall customer score of 79 per cent.

“Our report shows that commuters are getting a raw deal from their train operator,” said Richard Lloyd, the executive director at Which?.

“Whether it’s dirty facilities on the train, overcrowding or delayed trains, it is clear operators need to up their game.”

Govia Thameslink Railway, which is responsible for Thameslink and Great Northern, said it was “working hard to improve performance by reducing delays”. Southeastern said their £70 million investment programme would refurbish trains and provide more real time information to passengers.

Additional reporting by PA

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