across England will now be shown how often trains are cancelled and delayed at individual stations for the first time. Starting today, March 6, the data will go live at 1,700 stations and will be broken down by operator as part of a new “accountability drive”.
will have to display screens showing the percentage of trains arriving within three minutes of their scheduled time and the number of services that have been cancelled. Passengers at smaller stations will be able to scan a QR code to see the data online with customers able to see how well or badly their local station is performing. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the announcement “marks the beginning of a new era of rail accountability”.
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The data will go live at 1,700 stations (Image: Getty)
“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,” she added.
Train operators will also have to provide information on what they are doing to improve services in individual local areas. The move hopes that in holding train operators to account, they will be encouraged to drive up efficiency and productivity as ministers pledge an “era of rail accountability”.
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 sends a clear message to customers the rail sector is committed to improving punctuality and to find solutions to make train services more reliable.”
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Elizabeth line stations make up seven of the 10 worst for cancellations (Image: Getty)
In February, it was reported that rail reliability across Britain was at a record low, with the equivalent of more than one in 25 services cancelled in the year to February 1.
Figures released last month by the Office of Rail and Road revealed that 217,000 services were cancelled last year — while a further 165,000 were part-cancelled.
Ealing Broadway in west London was the major station with the worst reliability of services in the four weeks to February 1.
The equivalent of 7.9% of services at Ealing Broadway – which is used by Elizabeth line and Great Western Railway trains – were cancelled
Elizabeth line stations make up seven of the 10 worst for cancellations, including Bond Street (7.4%), Farringdon (6.5%) and Paddington (5.6%)
The operator with the highest cancellations score was CrossCountry a 7.35% Avanti West Coast had the second-highest cancellations score at 7%, followed by Northern Train (5.97% per cent) and Govia Thameslink Railway (5.45%).