We’re Getting There

‘OF course, rail passengers in Britain can expect to wait an average of 5,679 mealtimes (and the consequent gallons of watercress soup) for their train to turn up.

The West Coast mainline

However, the good news is that things are getting better.

More than one in six trains is still late, according to the Independent, and punctuality is still below where it was before the Hatfield crash four years ago.

But there has been a 2.5 percentage point increase from last year in the number of trains running on time – up from 80.8% to 83.3%.

The Virgin West Coast line was the worst performer with a punctuality figure of only 71.9% – although, in its defence, it has had to cope with major engineering works on the line.

The most improved service is that offered by South Eastern Trains, which since it was taken over by the Strategic Rail Authority from the French group Connex last year has shown significant progress in two successive quarters.

Punctuality is up from 79.6% last year (when it was in the private sector) to 85.1% this year (now it is state-run).

The Government’s response? They are going to reprivatise it in the new year…’

Posted: 17th, December 2004 | In: Uncategorized Comment | TrackBack | Permalink