YORK-BASED train operator Grand Central is celebrating after passengers rated it Britain’s best value long distance train operator for the fifth year in a row.

Figures released by the watchdog Transport Focus reveal that 78 per cent of passengers are satisfied or very satisfied with the value for money offered by Grand Central, which is based in Rougier Street and operates direct services from York to London.

It said the figure, compiled from the results of Focus’s spring National Rail Passenger Survey, compared with a national average of 47 per cent.

Overall customer satisfaction with Grand Central services was 94 per cent, compared with a national average of 83 per cent but down 2 per cent on a year ago.

Managing director Richard McClean said the survey results showed that the firm continuously listened to its customers, took on board what mattered most to them and translated their feedback into action.

“A £10 million investment programme to refurbish our Class 180 trains is underway, which will transform our fleet and ensure our passengers can travel in even greater comfort for years to come,” he added.

“As a small operator, we can be flexible in our approach to customers and champion our people to ensure that they are able to provide that personal touch that makes us different.”

Virgin Trains East Coast, which is also York-based and runs the majority of services from York to London, achieved an overall satisfaction of 91 per cent -up 2 per cent on spring last year.

A spokesman said: “We’re delighted that Virgin Trains is once again top of the long-distance franchised operators.”

A third York-based firm, Northern, whose services include the York to Harrogate line, had an overall satisfaction figure of 83 per cent, up 2 per cent on spring 2016.

Richard Allan, Customer & People Experience Director, said it was 'encouraging' that its scores were improving, and it had firm plans in areas where customers wanted improvement, such as better stations and free WiFi on trains.

TransPennine Express, which has offices in York and runs trains from York to cities including Manchester and Liverpool, had a satisfaction figure of 86 per cent, down one per cent on a year ago.

Customer experience director Kathryn O’Brien said she was ‘thrilled’ with the valuable feedback from customers, adding: “Since the last survey, we’ve made positive changes like enhancing our on-board catering offer and introducing new ticketing products with discounts for jobseekers and groups.”

Cross Country, which runs trains from York to cities including Birmingham and Bristol, had an overall satisfaction figure of 88, up by two per cent on the previous spring and Hull Trains, which runs services from Selby to Hull and London, achieved 97 per cent, up three per cent and the best of any company.