Experts have revealed the most cancelled and delayed train providers in the UK. Recent rail fares increased by 4.6% across the UK, exceeding July's 3.6% Retail Price Index, a measure of UK inflation. As public transport hits passengers' wallets more, many are turning to railcards, though these have also increased by £5.

Despite rising prices, disruptions and cancellations continue to plague the UK's railway network, with over 348,000 complaints made in 2024 over rail services. Experts at Nationwide Vehicle Contracts analysed government data to reveal the most commonly cancelled and delayed trains in the UK by providers.

Their research found that four operators delayed over half their trains in 2025, while just 67.7% of trains overall arrived within 59 seconds of their scheduled departure time in the 2024 financial year.

Worst for delays was Avanti West Coast, with almost 60% of their trains delayed in 2025.

The operator of routes from London to Glasgow and Edinburgh, as well as Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham, ran just 41.1% of their trains on time.

They were followed by Grand Central (44.5%), CrossCountry (46.4%) and TransPennine Express (49.6%).

Hull Trains had the fifth least punctual services with 52.7% of their trains arriving on time. However, it was a different story for train cancellations as a different operator topped the list.

In the latest quarter, from July to September 2024, 1.9 million trains were planned, with 56,900 cancelled in full and 43,400 partly cancelled. Heading the list of cancelled services were Northern Trains, with 6.5% of trains failing to run.

Joint second on the list were CrossCountry and Govia Thameslink Railway, both with 5.8% of services cancelled, while Avanti West Coast did not run 5.7% of their trains.

In its third year of operation, the Elizabeth Line cancelled 4.2% of its services, coming tenth on the list. Keith Hawes, director at Nationwide Vehicle Contracts, warned that unreliable rail services could lead to overcrowded roads.

"There may be an influx of commuters opting for cars as their mode of transport, rather than trains, due to delays and disruptions.

"Lift sharing reduces petrol costs and car park costs may be cheaper than purchasing a train ticket.

"As a result, traffic congestion on the roads could increase, especially in peak hours."

Experts advise drivers to prepare for increased traffic by altering their travel times to off-peak hours and planning alternative routes to their destinations to avoid city centre congestion.

The full list of operators with the most cancelled trains in the UK (% cancelled)

1. Northern Trains (6.5%)

2. Cross Country (5.8%)

2. Govia Thameslink Railway (5.8%)

4. Avanti West Coast (5.7%)

5. West Midlands Trains (5.6%)

6. London North Eastern Railway (5.4%)

7. TfW Rail (5.2%)

8. Heathrow Express (4.9%)

9. Great Western Railway (4.8%)

10. Elizabeth Line (4.2%)

The full list of operators with the most delayed trains in the UK (% on time)

1. Avanti West Coast (41.1%)

2. Grand Central (44.5%)

3. CrossCountry (46.4%)

4. TransPennine Express (49.6%)

5. Hull Trains (52.7%)

6. East Midlands Railway (53%)

7. London North Eastern Railway (56.7%)

8. Northern Trains (58.7%)

9. Lumo (60%)

10. Great Western Railway (60.2%)