Transpennine Express Train Tickets And Schedules

Key Strengths

• Friendly Staff: Several passengers commend the staff for their friendliness and helpfulness. One traveler noted, “Dominic on the 17.42 Saltburn to Manchester Airport gave us great service, helping with our journey and just having a quick chat about our young daughter. A credit to the company.”
• Affordable Pricing: Many travelers appreciate the competitive fares offered by TPE. A customer mentioned, “I use TPE instead of the bus as buses around west Yorkshire are useless. The tickets are a lot cheaper than ones on a bus.”
• Booking Convenience: The online booking system has been highlighted as easy to navigate, with one user stating, “Easy to book via App, ok prices, staff always friendly providing regular services.”
• Recent Improvements in Punctuality: Some regular customers have reported a noticeable improvement in service reliability, with one traveler stating, “However, over the last month or so... I’ve seen a significant improvement with solid reliability that had been missing.”

Recurring Weaknesses

• Punctuality Issues: A significant number of reviews express frustration over delays and cancellations. “Every time I sit in TPE first class I witness issues with punctuality and overcrowding,” stated one frustrated traveler.
• Catering Services: Many first-class passengers have voiced disappointment regarding food offerings. Complaints commonly mention “substandard catering” and that “the food offering always seems poor,” highlighting a lack of suitable refreshments on longer journeys.
• Customer Service Failures: Numerous reviews indicate a lack of effective customer service, with customers experiencing unhelpful interactions. One passenger lamented, “Customer services are useless and say they don’t get involved—exactly what is their purpose?”
• Cleanliness and Comfort: Several customers reported dirty trains and overcrowding, with one stating, “The carriages were dirty and the amount of people that were travelling in the first class carriage while on standard tickets was crazy.”

Customer Anecdotes: A Mixed Bag of Experiences

Passengers have shared a wide range of experiences, reflecting differing degrees of satisfaction:

• One passenger, dissatisfied with their first class experience, said, “I paid for First Class travel and the service... was far from FIRST CLASS. I received zero refreshments during a 49-minute journey.”
• Conversely, a frequent traveler stated, “Traveled first class to Edinburgh, service was superb, staff attentive, and food offered was enjoyable.”
• However, another pointed out, “We booked tickets for Sheffield to Manchester airport. Now 15/08/23 and still waiting for delivery. Phoned five times and told to wait longer.”
• On a positive note, a passenger shared his family’s experience, stating, “We were expecting problems due to the recent reports about TPE. However, both journeys were perfect—trains on time, no overcrowding, very clean.”

Insights for Potential Travelers

The mixed reviews on Transpennine Express suggest a service striving to improve but hindered by persistent issues. Travelers considering TPE should weigh the positives, such as friendly staff and affordable fares, against the possible inconveniences, like delays and inconsistent cleanliness.

To enhance its service quality, TPE might consider:

• Improving communication about delays and enhancing the complaint resolution process.
• Investing in training for staff to ensure great customer service and sensitivity towards passengers’ needs.
• Addressing issues related to hygiene and comfort in both standard and first-class carriages.
• Reviewing catering offerings, especially in first-class, to meet customer expectations.