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

1. MERSEYRAIL ELECTRICS 2002 LIMITED - 86.8/100
2. EUROSTAR INTERNATIONAL LIMITED - 85.3/100
3. XC TRAINS LIMITED - 78.5/100
4. TRANSPORT UK EAST ANGLIA LIMITED - 77.5/100
5. WEST MIDLANDS TRAINS LIMITED - 71.1/100

Worst Payers

1. HITACHI RAIL LIMITED - 41/100
2. SIEMENS MOBILITY LIMITED - 44.2/100
3. THE CHILTERN RAILWAY COMPANY LIMITED - 53.2/100
4. GRAND CENTRAL RAILWAY COMPANY LIMITED - 68.2/100
5. 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.

2025: The Story

2025 marked a positive shift for train travel payment practices, with the sector's average score improving by 4.8 points to 67.3/100. This uplift was significantly driven by individual company efforts, with GRAND CENTRAL RAILWAY COMPANY LIMITED leading the charge among operators. They saw an impressive 7.1-point increase, pushing their score to 68.2/100 and demonstrating a clear commitment to better supplier relations.

Meanwhile, HITACHI RAIL LIMITED also posted a notable 6.1-point improvement, though their score of 41.0/100 indicates ongoing challenges. The data also welcomed a strong new entrant in WEST MIDLANDS TRAINS LIMITED, debuting with a solid 71.1/100. The absence of any significant decliners (over 5 points) suggests a sector-wide uplift rather than a zero-sum game. This widespread improvement, seen across both operators and infrastructure suppliers, hints at a broader industry focus on payment efficiency. Suppliers should watch for whether this positive momentum becomes the new standard, creating higher expectations for all.