TRAIN services operating in the North-East and North Yorkshire have improved significantly in the past five years, figures reveal.
The four main companies serving the region – National Express East Coast, Crosscountry, Northern Rail and First Transpennine Express – have performed well compared to the national average.
Across the country, 90.6 per cent of trains ran on time for the 12 months to April.
Robin Gisby, from Network Rail, said passengers were today receiving the best ever service.
However, Gerry Doherty, leader of the TSSA transport union, branded the figures “spin and poppycock”.
Train punctuality dipped sharply at the turn of the millennium after speed restrictions were brought in following the Hatfield rail crash in 2000.
When Network Rail took over responsibility for rail infrastructure from Railtrack in 2002, punctuality was less than 79 per cent.
Mr Gisby said: “Passengers are today experiencing the most punctual train service ever provided on Britain’s railways.
“But we are far from complacent and realise that passengers still experience some delays.”
Alec McTavish, director of policy and operations at the Association of Train Operating Companies, said: “Delivering the best-ever level of punctuality is a significant achievement by all parts of the rail industry.”
Passenger Focus director Ashwin Kumar said: “One in ten trains still run with delays, which means there is still room for improvement.”
■ Grand Central Trains, which operates from Sunderland to London, was not included in the statistics.
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