Description
David Stewart David
It has been unpleasant (unhealthy?) since Voyagers were new, when I did complain to Virgin X Country because I thought the carpets had been flooded with effluent, but I'm told the trains are meant to smell this way. It surely would be cheap to correct this particular problem - and then maybe start on seat reservation signs, lack of legroom and window seats that don't have a window - but I realise that these are more difficult deficiencies. How bizarre that 21st century trains should be so much more uncomfortable than those of 50 years ago.
Problem History
- 1 David Stewart David reported the issue on FixMyTransport. close 21:36 31 Aug 2011
-
2
David Stewart David wrote to Crosscountry
close
21:36 31 Aug 2011
Here is the letter that David Stewart David wrote.
Voyager Trains
Voyager trains are unsatisfactory in many ways, but one problem could be cured. When you board the train, or stand near the toilet, there is an overwhelming stink like a back alley on a Friday night. I am told that this is the smell of disinfectant. If so could the smell be changed to something neutral?
-
3
Customer Relations responded to David Stewart David
close
21:45 31 Aug 2011
THIS IS AN AUTOMATED EMAIL FROM CROSSCOUNTRY
Thank you for your email. We will reply again soon with a
unique reference number. We aim to respond in full with 10
working days. If your email is urgent then please call us on
08447 369 123.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Where can I get a cheaper train ticket?
[1]www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk has many tips, tricks and tools
to help you find the best deal. We offer the same tickets as
other ticket websites, such as theTrainline.com, for all
journeys in Great Britain. We also offer free methods of
delivery (e-ticket or self service collection if e-ticket is not
available) and we donÂ*t charge a booking fee.
How do I apply for a refund?
If you havenÂ*t used your ticket and you booked it online with
crosscountrytrains.co.uk just log onto My CrossCountry or a
create an account using the same email address you entered when
you booked your ticket. From here, go to your booking history
and select refund. Remember, all Advance tickets are
non-refundable. Alternatively call us on 0844 811 0124 and say
Â*existing bookingÂ*.
How do I change my ticket?
You can change the date and time of your journey by paying the
difference between yours and the next available fare by calling
us on 0844 811 0124. When you call just say Â*existing
bookingÂ*. We will charge a £10 administration fee for this
service which we will deduct from the cost of the ticket you
currently hold.
My train was late or cancelled Â* can I claim compensation?
Yes, if CrossCountry caused a delay to your journey because your
train was late or cancelled you can make a claim for
compensation under our Delay Repay scheme. Simply forward your
original email to us with scanned copies of your tickets
including your journey details and your full postal address.
For more information about delay repay click here:
[2]http://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/Site...
References
Visible links
1. http://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/
2. http://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/Site... -
4
Katrina Navickas commented
close
22:05 31 Aug 2011
All Voyagers smell of the toilets, no matter what route. I presume it's something to do with the air-con.
-
5
CrossCountry Customer Relations responded to David Stewart David
close
10:15 05 Sep 2011
Dear FixMyTransport
Thank you for your email.
We welcome comments from our customers and ask that Mr
Stewart contact us directly on the phone number or email
address below where our experienced customer relations team are
able respond to the issues raised.
Kind regards
CrossCountry
5^th Floor, Cannon House
18 The Priory Queensway
Birmingham
B4 6BS
Email: [1][Crosscountry problem reporting email]
Phone: 08447 369 123
Fax: 0121 200 6005
show quoted sections -
6
Myf Nixon commented
close
16:06 06 Sep 2011
Please do keep us updated as to how this conversation progresses, even if you take it offline as Crosscountry request.
anorakadmin -
7
Aidan R commented
close
20:14 18 Sep 2011
I'm a regular train user but occasional on this train type.
Every time I see my journey involves a Cross Country Train, my heart sinks.
This is because the trains always smell bad. So bad it's unpleasant to breathe.I am not talking about one journey I had, this is every CC train I've ever been on.
I am ignorant of the 'intended smell' policy because I'm a newcomer to the stink but as a passing-trade passenger I just assumed it is because they are carpeted and the carpets are not cleaned properly. Some awful scented product must be squirted on them to kill germs and the effect is like posies on corpses.
I have developed a method to survive the nasty-aired journeys. I cannot afford a first-class ticket but if there is a first class carriage I spend the whole journey just outside first class, where the carpets seem to be less soiled.
-
8
David Stewart David commented
close
16:35 26 Jan 2012
This problem seemed trivial but easily solved, so I mentioned it to a manager with X Country trains, whose attitude was "we inherited Voyagers". I gave up because I can usually avoid Voyagers because my most common journey is Newcastle to York and back, and I can use TPE or East Coast trains. I put the smell of Voyagers in the public domain in the hope that it might cause shame.
-
9
David Stewart David added an update
close
16:38 26 Jan 2012
Arriva know that many people dislike the smell, but since it is supposedly "healthy" it is unlikely that they will do anything about it.
