In a recent survey conducted by TonerGiant, Manchester Oxford Road has earned the dubious title of the worst train station in the UK for commuters, with a staggering 65 percent of trains experiencing delays or cancellations.
The study, which analysed the top 100 busiest train and tube stations across the UK, aimed to identify locations where commuters faced the highest rates of disruptions.
The findings reveal a grim reality for those relying on Manchester Oxford Road, where only 35% of trains manage to arrive on time.
As the cost of commuting continues to rise and train services face regular cancellations, the survey further unveiled a growing discontent among British commuters.
TonerGiant’s research, based on responses from 1,000 UK office workers, showed that 57 percent of individuals feel that the escalating cost of commuting has made them reluctant to return to the office.
Delays and cancellations
Manchester Oxford Road’s notoriety as the worst station is underscored by the fact that 65 percent of all trains passing through the station experienced delays or cancellations. According to the survey, 21 percent of delays were in the range of one-two minutes, with percent of trains being outright cancelled.
Following closely behind, Wolverhampton station secured the second spot with 62 percent of trains facing disruptions, while Leicester railway station claimed the third position with a similar percentage of delays or cancellations.
The study highlighted a geographical trend, with 80 percent of the worst-performing stations situated in the north of England. Notably, three of these stations are in Yorkshire, contributing to the ongoing north-south divide in railway reliability.
On average, trains passing through the stations analysed were delayed or cancelled 46% of the time, presenting commuters with nearly a fifty-fifty chance of catching a train on time.
The rankings of the top 10 worst train stations for delays and cancellations are as follows:
- Manchester Oxford Road – 65%
- Wolverhampton – 62%
- Leicester – 62%
- Huddersfield – 60%
- York – 60%
- Milton Keynes Central – 59%
- Birmingham New Street – 59%
- Coventry – 58%
- Gatwick Airport – 55%
- Crewe – 54%
Stuart Deavall, representing TonerGiant, commented on the findings, stating:
“The pandemic has reshaped work habits, with many embracing the convenience of working from home. Commuting, with its increased difficulties due to unreliable transport links, is a significant factor. Given that 46 percent of the train journeys we examined were delayed or cancelled on average, it’s evident that Brits are opting for the ‘stay-at-home’ lifestyle.”
TonerGiant released these findings to raise awareness among office workers about stations with the highest rates of delays, helping individuals make informed decisions about their commutes.
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Amelia Brand is the Editor for HRreview, and host of the HR in Review podcast series. With a Master’s degree in Legal and Political Theory, her particular interests within HR include employment law, DE&I, and wellbeing within the workplace. Prior to working with HRreview, Amelia was Sub-Editor of a magazine, and Editor of the Environmental Justice Project at University College London, writing and overseeing articles into UCL’s weekly newsletter. Her previous academic work has focused on philosophy, politics and law, with a special focus on how artificial intelligence will feature in the future.
