Rail reliability data at stations launched as government pushes for greater accountability

Rail passengers across England can now access real-time data on the punctuality and reliability of their local train services, as new station-level statistics have gone live. Covering over 1,700 stations, the initiative marks the first time such detailed performance data has been made publicly available.

Displayed on digital screens at major stations and accessible via QR codes at smaller ones, the data provides a breakdown of train cancellations and punctuality by operator. The move is part of the government’s drive to hold train companies to account for poor performance.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, who is visiting Reading station to mark the launch, described the initiative as a step towards rebuilding trust with passengers. 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.”

The new statistics form part of broader rail reforms which the government is currently consulting on. As part of these changes, the government announced that a new passenger watchdog was to be formed to give passengers a stronger voice as well as hold passengers to account.

Alongside transparency measures, the government is pushing for improvements in timetable resilience and staffing, with the Rail Minister Lord Hendy scheduling meetings with train operators to demand action on performance issues.

Jacqueline Starr, chair and chief executive of the Rail Delivery Group, welcomed the move, stating: “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.”

Natasha Grice, Director at Transport Focus, the independent passenger watchdog, emphasised the importance of the data for driving improvements. “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.”

Passengers will also be able to access the data via the Office of Rail and Road’s (ORR) online portal, which provides punctuality and reliability information for all stations across Great Britain.

Alongside its rail reform bill, the government is progressing with its Public Ownership Act, which will bring all the current operators into public ownership once their franchise agreements end. Alexander recently announced that South Western Railway, c2c and Greater Anglia will be the first to be brought back into public ownership later this year. Greater Anglia has been one of the highest performing operators on the network in recent years.