The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) has expressed concern over ‘continuing performance problems’ across Great Britain’s rail network.
Latest performance figures published today in the Network Rail monitor highlight that Network Rail is ‘falling behind key end-of-year punctuality targets’, including long distance passenger services where it is 3.4% adrift.
Performance on East Coast, First Great Western and First ScotRail passenger services are amongst the hardest hit.
Whilst train passengers generally experience a good level of performance, ORR has called on Network Rail and train operators to work closely together to resolve performance issues and deliver further improvements.
The regulator also warned Network Rail that it will consider formal action if the company fails to deliver on its end-of-year performance targets, which come as part of commitments it is funded to achieve by 2014 (‘Control Period 4’).
ORR Chief Executive Richard Price said:
“We have seen greater reliability and punctuality across our rail network recently, as the percentage of trains running late has fallen by 10% over the past 5 years.
“But Network Rail is currently adrift of its key punctuality targets and performance in some areas is falling well short of what passengers expect, notably on East Coast, First Great Western, and First ScotRail. Poor performance must be remedied quickly.
“Network Rail has committed itself to raising performance year-on-year in return for the investment it gets from the public. But on current trends it will miss its targets.
“We have been watching this closely, particularly on routes where there is a real and sustained problem.
“The causes of delay are often complex, particularly where they are driven by factors from outside the railway like cable theft. But the impact of delay on passengers’ lives can be huge.
“Network Rail and the train companies have committed to work together through their National Task Force to tackle these problems.
“They need to demonstrate that the industry’s leadership can really deliver for its customers.
“It is urgent that they do, and I expect to see robust and realistic plans in the coming weeks which are being acted upon and making a difference.”
