This is from March (there's a more recent one from today on #CrossCountryTrains apalling service).
My question: why buy more diesel units when a lot of the routes are electrified.
With dual power you could go electric Manchester-Birmingham, then diesel to the West country. They do this in continental Europe.
No doubt the reason is cost/profitability and stock availability.

CrossCountry upgrade will see 25% more rail seats - BBC News
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-68657138
#Rail #TransportDecarbonisation