On-time trains at seven-year high

C2C had the best punctuality in the South East

Rail punctuality between April and June reached its highest level in seven years, official figures show.

Just over 90% of trains ran on time during the three months, the Office of Rail Regulation said.

It was the highest punctuality since spring 1999 and an increase from April-June 2005 when 87.5% of trains were on time.

Among South East operators, C2C had the best punctuality, and Midland Mainline was the best long-distance line.

The most punctual regional operator was the tiny Isle of Wight Island Line with 98.6% of trains on time.

Complaints down

A train is defined as on time if it arrives within five minutes of the planned destination arrival time for London, South East and regional operators. For long distance operators it is considered punctual if it arrives within 10 minutes.

Between April-June 2005 and April-June 2006 the number of complaints per 100,000 journeys decreased by 2%, the office said.

It stands at 72 complaints per 100,000 journeys.

Rail consumer watchdog Passenger Focus welcomed the improvement but said more needed to be done.

"Congratulations to the train companies who have managed to get more than nine out of 10 trains running on time and to the train operators that have made vast improvements to their performance," a spokeswoman said.

"As more and more trains arrive on time, passenger priorities are shifting. Aspects such as getting a seat and value for money are becoming more important."

PERCENTAGE OF TRAINS RUNNING ON TIME
	APRIL-JUNE 2005	APRIL-JUNE 2006
LONG DISTANCE OPERATORS
First Great Western (high speed services)	74.6	78.3
GNER	83.8	86.7
Midland Mainline	93.5	93.3
One (Inter-city)	77.7	88.9
TransPennine Express	80.3	91.6
Virgin Cross Country	81.5	89
Virgin West Coast	80.8	88.9
LONDON AND SOUTH EAST
c2c	94.7	95.5
Chiltern Railways	92.8	94.4
First Capital Connect	N/A	90.8
First Great Western (London/Thames Valley)	83.2	87.2
One (local)	87.9	89.7
Silverlink	90.6	92
South Eastern Trains	89.3	91.1
South West Trains	90.4	92.9
Southern	88.7	92.6
Thameslink	89.5	N/A
West Anglia Great Northern	91	N/A
REGIONAL OPERATORS
Arriva Trains Wales	79.5	87.3
Central Trains	80.1	86.1
First Great Western (West)	84.7	88.6
First ScotRail	87.4	90.7
Gatwick Express	91.7	93.6
Island Line	98.4	98.6
Merseyrail	92.4	94.3
Northern Rail	88.5	89.3
TOTAL	87.5	90.4
Source: Office of Rail Regulation