UK Train Travel Sector Shows Solid, But Uneven, Payment Performance in 2023

The Numbers

• Companies analysed: 7
• Average PaymentCheck Score: 67.5/100
• UK average (all sectors): 50.0/100
• Train travel sector outperformance vs UK average: 17.5 points
• Top payer: MERSEYRAIL ELECTRICS 2002 LIMITED - 85.1/100
• Bottom payer: HITACHI RAIL LIMITED - 30.33/100
• Regional average, North West: 85.1/100 (1 company)
• Regional average, North East: 65.5/100 (2 companies)
• Regional average, London: 64.1/100 (4 companies)

What Stands Out

The train travel sector clearly outpaces the UK average for payment practices, but a score of 67.5/100 suggests there's still plenty of room for improvement and that some suppliers are still waiting to get paid. The enormous spread between the best and worst payers – a 54.77-point gap between Merseyrail and Hitachi – indicates inconsistent payment cultures across different operators.

Best Payers

1. MERSEYRAIL ELECTRICS 2002 LIMITED - 85.1/100
2. EUROSTAR INTERNATIONAL LIMITED - 79.9/100
3. XC TRAINS LIMITED - 76.85/100
4. TRANSPORT UK EAST ANGLIA LIMITED - 76.33/100
5. WEST MIDLANDS TRAINS LIMITED - 69.9/100

Worst Payers

1. HITACHI RAIL LIMITED - 30.33/100
2. THE CHILTERN RAILWAY COMPANY LIMITED - 54.25/100
3. WEST MIDLANDS TRAINS LIMITED - 69.9/100
4. TRANSPORT UK EAST ANGLIA LIMITED - 76.33/100
5. XC TRAINS LIMITED - 76.85/100

Note: The "Worst Payers" section includes companies ranked from lowest to highest score out of the companies analysed.

Regional Patterns

The data is fairly thin, but it seems companies based in the North West are leading the way with payments, while the North East and London are lagging behind, even if only slightly. With just one company represented in the North West, it's difficult to draw definitive conclusions about regional trends, but that score of 85.1/100 suggests a particularly strong payment ethos within that organisation.

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While the train travel sector beats the UK average payment score by 17.5 points, Hitachi Rail's score of just 30.33 suggests some suppliers are being kept waiting far too long for payment.