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Worst train companies to be named and shamed | Worst train companies to be named and shamed |
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This is the first time the information will be proactively presented to passengers | |
Millions of passengers will see train cancellation and delay data published prominently at over 1,700 railway stations in England from Thursday. | Millions of passengers will see train cancellation and delay data published prominently at over 1,700 railway stations in England from Thursday. |
The data will update every 28 days showing statistics for the most recent month in a bid to increase transparency and to hold operators to account. | The data will update every 28 days showing statistics for the most recent month in a bid to increase transparency and to hold operators to account. |
The government says performance information will appear on large digital display boards, with smaller stations displaying QR codes for passengers to scan on smartphones. | The government says performance information will appear on large digital display boards, with smaller stations displaying QR codes for passengers to scan on smartphones. |
Ince and Elton in Cheshire was the worst performing station for cancellations in the four weeks to 1 February, according to data from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR). | |
The BBC understands that the data will not be announced audibly for people with print disabilities but the government says online data will be posted on a new portal which has been made accessible to screen reader users such as those who are blind and visually-impaired. | The BBC understands that the data will not be announced audibly for people with print disabilities but the government says online data will be posted on a new portal which has been made accessible to screen reader users such as those who are blind and visually-impaired. |
The concept of publishing train reliability data is not new. The ORR publishes performance statistics which detail the percentage of services that are delayed or cancelled. | The concept of publishing train reliability data is not new. The ORR publishes performance statistics which detail the percentage of services that are delayed or cancelled. |
Between 1 July and 30 September 2024, 4.2% of train services were cancelled and only 67.7% of services were on time, according to the ORR. | |
However, this is the first time that potentially embarrassing information will be proactively presented to millions of English train passengers each day. | |
It is also the first time the ORR will publish monthly figures on the worst performing stations for the whole of England, Wales, and Scotland. | |
Britain's 10 worst performing stations by percentage of cancelled trains | |
Ince and Elton (Cheshire) - 22.8% | |
Gathurst - 16.2% | |
Earlswood (Surrey) - 11.7% | |
Birchgrove - 11.7% | |
Rhiwbina - 11.7% | |
Whitchurch (Cardiff) - 11.7% | |
Salfords (Surrey) - 11.7% | |
Arram - 10.7% | |
Hartlepool - 9.9% | |
Ellesmere Port -9.7% | |
Source: Office of Rail and Road. Covers the period 5 January to 1 February | |
As well as revealing the worst performers, the data also reveals that 33 stations of out over 18,000 had no cancellations in the four-week period. | |
Buckenham in Norfolk was the only station with a perfect score. It had no cancellations or unscheduled stops and all trains arriving on time or within three minutes, although only 100 trains stopped there in the month. | |
The move has been welcomed by the independent passenger watchdog, Transport Focus. | |
The group's director, Natasha Grice, told the BBC the railway needs to rebuild trust, and transparency around cancellations was part of that. | The group's director, Natasha Grice, told the BBC the railway needs to rebuild trust, and transparency around cancellations was part of that. |
"Previously, performance information has tended to be available by route or a group of routes. This initiative makes the data more relevant to an individual passenger by showing the numbers for their station," she said. | "Previously, performance information has tended to be available by route or a group of routes. This initiative makes the data more relevant to an individual passenger by showing the numbers for their station," she said. |
Jacqueline Starr, chair and chief executive of Rail Delivery Group said the move shows how serious the industry is about putting things right for customers frustrated by cancellations and delays. | Jacqueline Starr, chair and chief executive of Rail Delivery Group said the move shows how serious the industry is about putting things right for customers frustrated by cancellations and delays. |
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: "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." | |
The move forms part of a wider overhaul of the country's railways under the government's planned return to nationalisation under Great British Railways. | |
"Through fundamental rail reform, we're sweeping away decades of dysfunctionality," Ms Alexander said. | "Through fundamental rail reform, we're sweeping away decades of dysfunctionality," Ms Alexander said. |
The government says the industry has set out a framework with "clear areas of focus", "timetable resilience", and staffing to "recover performance to acceptable levels". | The government says the industry has set out a framework with "clear areas of focus", "timetable resilience", and staffing to "recover performance to acceptable levels". |
The rail minister will be meeting with all train operators to "address concerns and demand immediate action". | The rail minister will be meeting with all train operators to "address concerns and demand immediate action". |