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POOR toilets are the worst problem aboard train services in South Yorkshire, according to the latest six-monthly customer satisfaction survey by watchdog Passenger Focus.
Facilities provided by local operator Northern were worst, with just 32 per cent of passengers happy. The rating for spring this year had fallen by four per cent since last autumn.
The best loos of the region's four train companies were provided by First Trans Pennine Express – but the approval rating was still only 59 per cent.
Just 45 per cent of passengers on East Midlands Trains and National Express East Coast services were happy with the loos, while the satisfaction rating for Cross Country's toilets was 55 per cent.
Inadequate toilets were closely followed by concerns over fares and lack of luggage space, with only around half of passengers feeling they had good value for money or enough room to put their bags on any of the companies' services.
Northern's overall satisfaction rating was 80 per cent - but the approval rating for exterior cleanliness of trains fell six per cent to 51 per cent, and interior of the train decreased two per cent to 57 per cent.
Other local operators scored higher ratings.
The approval rating for East Midlands Trains' ticket-buying facilities fell seven per cent to 74 per cent compared with last autumn.
But satisfaction with the firm's punctuality rose six per cent to 84 per cent over the same period. Overall happiness with the company was 80 per cent.
Some 87 per cent of passengers said they were happy with how their requests to station staff had been handled, and 75 per cent of passengers were happy with the upkeep and repair of stations.
Tim Shoveller, East Midlands Trains' managing director, said: "We know we need to remain focused on meeting the high standards our customers expect day in, day out, and we will continue to target areas where there is further room for improvement."
First TransPennine Express's staff approval rating fell five per cent, with 72 per cent rating them "friendly and helpful". The company's new fleet was praised for having more room and better security.
Overall satisfaction for the company was 87 per cent, the same as National Express East Coast, which serves Doncaster.
Cross Country trains' satisfaction rating was 85 per cent, a one per cent improvement.
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