UK Train Travel Sector Shows Stronger Payment Performance Than Average, But Big Disparities Remain

The Numbers

Companies analysed: 9
Average PaymentCheck Score: 67.3/100
UK average (all sectors): 50.0/100
Train Travel average above UK average: 17.3 points
Highest PaymentCheck Score: 86.8/100 (Merseyrail Electrics 2002 Limited)
Lowest PaymentCheck Score: 41/100 (Hitachi Rail Limited)
Regional Average (North West): 86.8/100 (1 company)
Regional Average (North East): 66.6/100 (3 companies)
Regional Average (London): 63.8/100 (5 companies)

What Stands Out

While the average PaymentCheck Score of 67.3/100 for the UK train travel sector in 2025 is notably better than the UK average of 50.0/100, there’s a wide performance gap. This suggests operational inefficiencies or differing priorities around supplier relationships across different rail companies, rather than sector-wide standards.

Best Payers

MERSEYRAIL ELECTRICS 2002 LIMITED - 86.8/100
EUROSTAR INTERNATIONAL LIMITED - 85.3/100
XC TRAINS LIMITED - 78.5/100
TRANSPORT UK EAST ANGLIA LIMITED - 77.5/100
WEST MIDLANDS TRAINS LIMITED - 71.1/100

Worst Payers

HITACHI RAIL LIMITED - 41/100
SIEMENS MOBILITY LIMITED - 44.2/100
THE CHILTERN RAILWAY COMPANY LIMITED - 53.2/100
GRAND CENTRAL RAILWAY COMPANY LIMITED - 68.2/100
WEST MIDLANDS TRAINS LIMITED - 71.1/100

Regional Patterns

The North West, with a single company measured, boasts the highest regional average at 86.8/100, which is heavily influenced by Merseyrail Electrics' strong score. London's average payment performance (63.8/100 across five companies) is surprisingly lower than the sector average, showing that being based in a major economic hub doesn't automatically equate to better payment practices.

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The disparity between the highest and lowest payers (86.8/100 versus 41/100) highlights that supplier payment practices within the UK train travel sector are far from uniform.