CrossCountry

CrossCountry
source
Name	CrossCountry
Type	InterCity rail franchise
Founded	2007
Headquarters	Birmingham
Area served	Great Britain
Parent	Arriva UK Trains

CrossCountry. It is a major inter-city rail train operating company in Great Britain, operating a unique network of long-distance passenger services that traverse the country without serving London. Owned by Arriva UK Trains, a subsidiary of the German state-owned Deutsche Bahn, its routes connect regions from the far south to the far north of England, as well as Scotland and Wales. The franchise, which began in 2007, is notable for its extensive cross-border services and its role in linking major cities such as Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Bristol, Plymouth, Edinburgh, and Glasgow.

History

The CrossCountry brand and franchise were established in 2007, taking over the long-distance services previously operated by the Virgin CrossCountry franchise. This transition was part of a wider re-franchising process by the UK government's Department for Transport. The original network was significantly recast, with a greater operational focus on Birmingham New Street station, which became the central hub for the majority of its services. Prior to the 2007 franchise, similar cross-country routes had been operated by various entities under British Rail, including the famous InterCity 125 sets on key routes. The franchise has been extended several times, with the current contract held by Arriva UK Trains and due to run until at least October 2023, with a potential further extension.

Services

CrossCountry operates one of the most extensive long-distance rail networks in Great Britain, characterized by routes that run north-south and vice versa, bypassing the capital. Its key routes include the Cross-Country Route from Bournemouth to Manchester, the CrossCountry North East to South West service from Newcastle to Reading, and the long-distance service from Plymouth to Edinburgh via Birmingham. Other significant services connect Cardiff to Nottingham, and Bristol to Leeds. The network provides vital connections between major economic centres, universities, and tourist destinations, facilitating travel across multiple regions without the need to change trains in London.

Rolling stock

The CrossCountry fleet primarily consists of diesel-powered trains, a necessity due to the significant portions of its network that are not electrified, such as the routes through the West of England and to Plymouth. The mainstay of its fleet are the British Rail Class 220 Voyager and British Rail Class 221 Super Voyager diesel multiple units, which were introduced by Virgin Trains. It also operates the British Rail Class 170 Turbostar diesel units on some regional routes. To increase capacity, particularly on its busiest long-distance services, CrossCountry also hires British Rail Class 43 power cars and Mark 3 coaches from other operators, forming classic InterCity 125 sets. The company has faced criticism over capacity constraints, leading to various fleet enhancement programs and short-term hires of additional stock.

Operations

Operations are centrally managed from its hub at Birmingham New Street station, where many services converge and allow for connections across the network. The company works closely with Network Rail, which owns and maintains the UK railway infrastructure, including key lines like the Birmingham to Bristol Line and the East Coast Main Line. Performance is monitored against targets set by the Office of Rail and Road. A key operational challenge is managing congestion on busy mixed-use routes, such as those around the West Midlands and the Reading area, which it shares with numerous other operators like Avanti West Coast, Great Western Railway, and Transport for Wales. The franchise also participates in national rail initiatives, including the Rail Delivery Group.

Corporate affairs

CrossCountry is owned and operated by Arriva UK Trains, which is itself a subsidiary of the German state railway company, Deutsche Bahn. The franchise is awarded and overseen by the UK government's Department for Transport. Its commercial performance and service delivery are subject to the conditions of the franchise agreement, with revenue support mechanisms in place. The brand and customer service standards are aligned with Arriva's wider UK operations, which also include Chiltern Railways and Grand Central. Like all UK train operating companies, its future structure is subject to the ongoing reforms proposed under the Williams Rail Review and the subsequent government white paper.

Category:Arriva Category:Rail transport in Great Britain Category:Train operating companies in England