Current


performance
statistics
are
being
displayed
at
National
Rail
stations
for
the
first
time,
after
the
previous
transport
secretary
Louise
Haigh
promised
in
November
that
the
public
would
be
soon
be
able
to
‘hold
us
to
account’.

The
data
streams
went
live
at
more
than
1,700
stations
this
morning.
The
figures,
which
cover
the
14
operators
in
England
with
National
Rail
Contracts
or
those
which
have
already
been
renationalised,
are
being
displayed
on
screens
at
larger
stations.
Other
operators
are
included
if
they
have
agreed.

The
figures
can
also
be
retrieved
on
line
if
passengers
scan
a
QR
code,
or
visit
the
Office
of
Rail
and
Road
data
portal.

The
statistics
show
the
percentage
of
trains
cancelled
and
how
punctual
trains
are
at
each
station.
A
train
is
officially
‘on
time’
if
it
is
no
more
than
three
minutes
late.

The
displays
also
include
brief
information
about
any
work
being
carried
out
by
the
operators
and
Network
Rail
to
improve
performance
in
the
area,
with
the
aim
of
‘informing
and
assuring
passengers’
about
what
is
being
done.

Transport
secretary
Heidi
Alexander
is
visiting
Reading
station
today.
She
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.’

Rail
Delivery
Group
chair
and
chief
executive
Jacqueline
Starr
added:
‘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.’

Watchdog
Transport
Focus
is
urging
operators
to
use
the
data
to
analyse
where
problems
are
occurring
and
take
appropriate
action.

Transport
Focus
director
Natasha
Grice
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.’

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