Train users fed up with railway loos

Two thirds of train passengers are fed up with the state of toilets and the number of delays, a survey has revealed.

And almost half of people trying to get help at stations say they cannot find staff to assist them.

Watchdog Passenger Focus said today it was worried major companies like CrossCountry and Virgin Trains, which owns Wolverhampton railway station, had slipped down in rail users' opinions compared to last year.

Passenger Focus today launched the results of its spring 2008 national passenger survey, which includes the opinions of more than 25,000 rail users.

Operators CrossCountry, Virgin Trains, East Midlands and First TransPennine Express dropped four per cent on last year with 83 per cent of passengers saying they were happy with the service received on long distance journeys.

Anthony Smith, Passenger Focus chief executive, said: "Satisfaction with station and train facilities from long-distance operators dropped across the board and the five operators should see these scores as a red alert."

Nationally, train operators scored low on how well they dealt with delays, getting it right just 34 per cent of the time, toilet facilities scored just 35 per cent and the availability of staff on stations scored 56 per cent.

Stuart Henry, spokesman for CrossCountry said: "As a punctual and professional rail operator, we try as much as possible to keep these well-used facilities clean and presentable."