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Monday 26 Sep 2005

NEW RAIL PERFORMANCE REPORT LAUNCHED

Region & Route:

National

Train performance in August touches 88% Almost 88% of trains ran ‘on time’ in August, Network Rail reported today, as it launched a new initiative to provide passengers with up to date, accurate information about train performance. Four weekly train performance data is to be published on the company’s website to ensure the travelling public has direct access to the latest information. Accurate performance statistics for the period (24 July to 20 August) are posted today detailing each train operator’s performance and a breakdown of the total number of delay minutes caused to services. The new data gives the Public Performance Measure (PPM – the % of trains arriving on time) for each train operator and shows that overall, 87.8% of trains ran on time in this period.  This is a substantial increase from the same period last year when PPM was 81.4%. John Armitt, Chief Executive, said: “Making train performance data more accessible and timely makes absolute sense for everyone.  August’s performance has been good and builds on the momentum of the past two years, which has seen steady and consistent improvement. The industry’s challenge is to keep this momentum going throughout the autumn season ahead.”  George Muir, Director General of the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC), said: “This is an especially good result for August, from train operators and Network Rail, but punctuality remains a very real challenge.” The other main findings in the period five report are:

• All 23 train operating companies (TOCs) showed performance improvements compared to the previous four weeks
• In the current period, eight TOCs delivered 90% of trains on time or over, another eight achieved performance of over 85%, a further four above 80% and three just short of 80%

• Network Rail delivered a 36% improvement in its performance as it slashed infrastructure delays from 885,000 minutes in period five last year to 564,000 this year
• Train operators cut their delay minutes by 29% compared with period five last year

  The new four weekly reports form part of Network Rail’s new responsibilities to make performance data more visible and available for passengers.  The Office of Rail Regulation will continue to produce National Rail Trends – a quarterly, more detailed train performance report – with quarter one (periods 1-3) expected to be published by the end of the month.