Passengers across England can now see how reliable their local
train services are, as performance data goes live at over 1,700
stations from today (6 March).
The data, broken down by operator, shows the percentage of trains
cancelled and how punctual trains are at each station, marking
the first time that station-level data has been available in the
history of the railway. It is now live at major stations through
digital screens, where possible, and at most smaller stations,
passengers will be able to scan a QR code to see the data online.
This fulfils a commitment made by the Department to be fully
transparent with passengers, demonstrating how the railways are
working and allowing the public to hold train operators to
account as we bring services into public ownership.
As well as delivering more reliable, better-quality services,
these reforms will catalyse economic growth through improved
connectivity, delivering on the government's Plan for Change. By
holding operators to account, they will be encouraged to drive up
efficiency and productivity - providing better value for money
for passengers and driving forward the government's growth
mission by delivering better connectivity.
The government is determined to drive up performance, and the
Rail Minister is meeting with all train operators to address
concerns and demand immediate action. In response, the industry
has set out a framework with clear areas of focus, including
timetable resilience and staffing, to recover performance to
acceptable levels.
Transport Secretary will visit Reading station
today to mark the launch of the displays.
Transport Secretary said: “Today marks
the beginning of a new era of rail accountability.
“These displays are a step towards rebuilding trust with
passengers using our railways, as we continue to tackle the root
causes of frustrating delays and cancellations.
“Through fundamental rail reform, we're sweeping away decades of
dysfunctionality – putting passengers first, driving growth
through connectivity as part of this government's Plan for
Change.”
Each station's data can also be found on the ORR's new data portal, which
contains punctuality and reliability information for all stations
in Great Britain. The online data is also screen reader
compatible, for those with accessibility needs.
The screens also display a short commentary on work underway by
the operators and Network Rail to improve performance, informing
and assuring passengers of the ongoing work across their area to
improve the reliability and efficiency of services.
Jacqueline Starr, chair and chief executive of Rail
Delivery Group, said: “We know how frustrating it is for
customers when their train is cancelled or delayed. By being
transparent with this data and the positive actions we're taking,
it shows how serious the industry is in putting this right by
continuing to strive for improvements.
“This send a clear message to customers the rail sector is
committed to improving punctuality and to find solutions to make
train services more reliable.”
Natasha Grice, Director at the independent watchdog
Transport Focus, said: "Passengers tell us they want a
reliable, on-time train service and will welcome improvements to
information about the punctuality of their service and
cancellations being shared more transparently. It's important
that the industry uses this information to drive up performance.”
This forms part of a wider overhaul of the railways, which will
establish Great British Railways (GBR) as a new body to bring
track and train together, to end years of fragmentation and
waste. GBR will relentlessly focus on driving up standards for
passengers, and proposals for how it will run, including plans
for a powerful new passenger standards watchdog, are currently
under consultation.
Separately, the landmark Public Ownership Act will improve
services and save taxpayers up to £150m a year that was
previously given to private shareholders, with the first services
being brought in as soon as May 2025.
The government will deliver change that can be felt, driving
growth across the country by ensuring passengers can use the
railways to get to work, school, appointments and see friends and
family with ease.
Notes to editors
- ‘Punctuality' on the performance displays is defined as the
percentage of trains arriving within three minutes of their
scheduled time.
- The information displayed on the screens will cover the 14
DfT funded operators, except where other operators have agreed
that information on their services can be displayed.
