The first of CrossCountry’s refurbished Voyager trains has entered service, marking the beginning of a £75 million investment to improve passengers’ rail journeys.
The major rail operator runs an extensive network across Britain, connecting major cities such as Birmingham, Manchester, Cardiff, Bristol, Newcastle, Leeds, Glasgow, and Edinburgh.
CrossCountry was previously slammed for ‘shocking’ conditions and overcrowding on its services, with passengers – some elderly – forced to stand in toilets.
In an effort to mitigate the issue, the operator announced that it would introduce 12 new trains to its network by May 2025.
The first of the newly revamped units was showcased at the Derby Litchurch Lane facility – where the refurbishment was carried out by staff – on 10 February, 2026.
The newly refurbished Voyager train has a lot more seating, improved lighting, extended legroom, and enhanced onboard technology, such as CCTV.
Shiona Rolfe, the company’s managing director, said: ‘This train marks an important step in our commitment to improving the experience for everyone who travels with us.’
The new train joins 70 existing CrossCountry Voyager trains that have been in operation since 2000, when they were first built.
This week, British rail operator CrossCountry introduced the first of its newly refurbished Voyager trains (pictured)
The new trains will feature new seats, improved lighting, extended legroom, and enhanced onboard technology, such as CCTV
It marks the start of a £75 million investment to improve passengers’ rail experience
Over the next two years, the operator aims to refurbish all Voyager trains up to the same standard.
In August 2024, Navendu Mishra, Labour MP for Stockport, described CrossCountry as ‘one of the worst operating train companies in the country’.
He wrote in a letter addressed to the operator’s bosses: ‘For too long passengers in Stockport have suffered from delays, cancellations, and overcrowding.
‘I appreciate that you have acknowledged that services have “fallen below the standards our passengers should expect from us”, however now is the time to take action.’
The refurbishment comes as the Government plans to renationalise nearly all passenger rail services by 2027.
In their 2024 manifesto, Labour committed to a significant overhaul of the rail network, declaring that railways should be ‘owned by the public, delivering for the public, not for private shareholders’.
Plans are underway to replace the current privatised franchise model with a new public body named Great British Railways (GBR).
GBR is due to roll out to trains, websites and stations from next spring. The state-owned company unveiled its red, white and blue branding before Christmas.
The newly refurbished train was unveiled at the Derby Litchurch Lane facility (pictured) on 10 February, where work was carried out by staff
The first of CrossCountry’s new fleet joins 70 Voyager trains that have been in operation since 2000
Shiona Rolfe, the company’s managing director, said: ‘This train marks an important step in our commitment to improving the experience for everyone who travels with us’
It will bring together 17 different organisations and ministers claim it will ‘cut through the frustrating bureaucracy and lack of accountability that continues to plague the railways’.
The Government announced in November that rail fares in England would be frozen next year for the first time in 30 years.
The freeze until March 2027 will apply to regulated fares, which includes season tickets and off-peak returns.
A DfT spokesman said: ‘The GBR chairman’s salary is lower than previous similar positions.
‘This is also rightly much lower than salaries in similar-sized private organisations.’
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