---
title: "Train Travel Payment Practices Report 2025"
date: 2025-12-23T00:00:00+00:00
url: https://paymentcheck.co.uk/blog/reports/train-travel-payment-practices-2025
description: "Train Travel Payment Practices Report 2025 - Payment practices analysis from PaymentCheck"
category: "Reports"
---

# Train Travel Payment Practices Report 2025

# 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](/company-search/04356933/merseyrail-electrics-2002-limited) - 86.8/100
2. [EUROSTAR INTERNATIONAL LIMITED](/company-search/02462001/eurostar-international-limited) - 85.3/100
3. [XC TRAINS LIMITED](/company-search/04402048/xc-trains-limited) - 78.5/100
4. [TRANSPORT UK EAST ANGLIA LIMITED](/company-search/07861414/transport-uk-east-anglia-limited) - 77.5/100
5. [WEST MIDLANDS TRAINS LIMITED](/company-search/09860466/west-midlands-trains-limited) - 71.1/100

## Worst Payers

1. [HITACHI RAIL LIMITED](/company-search/05598549/hitachi-rail-limited) - 41/100
2. [SIEMENS MOBILITY LIMITED](/company-search/00016033/siemens-mobility-limited) - 44.2/100
3. [THE CHILTERN RAILWAY COMPANY LIMITED](/company-search/03007939/the-chiltern-railway-company-limited) - 53.2/100
4. [GRAND CENTRAL RAILWAY COMPANY LIMITED](/company-search/03979826/grand-central-railway-company-limited) - 68.2/100
5. [WEST MIDLANDS TRAINS LIMITED](/company-search/09860466/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.