Three operators opt out of displaying real-time performance data at railway stations

Three open access operators have opted out of real-time punctuality and reliability data being displayed at stations.

RAIL understands that Grand Central, Hull Trains and Lumo have taken the decision not to let their data be displayed as part of a government drive to hold passenger operators to account.

Insiders have told RAIL that the information “warped the statistics”. All three companies, who are not obliged to share data at stations because of their position as an open access operators, said that because of their smaller train fleets, a single incident on the network could be presented in an unintentionally misleading way for passengers.

A spokesperson for Lumo and Hull Trains said: “Performance data is publicly available via numerous sources. Due to the small number of services we operate, 0.5% of the national rail network, displaying the data in the proposed format would present a disproportionate and misleading view of our performance. Lumo and Hull Trains have industry-leading records in reliability, with minimal self-caused delays or cancellations. This is further supported by several recent industry awards and robust data made regularly available by the Office for Rail and Road (ORR).   

Data is now being displayed across the country on digital screens via digital screens at larger stations and QR codes at smaller ones. It’s the first time such data has been made available.

The new statistics form part of broader rail reforms on which the government is currently consulting.

As part of these changes, a new passenger watchdog will be formed to give passengers a stronger voice. Alongside transparency measures, the government is also pushing for improvements in timetable resilience and staffing, with Rail Minister Lord Hendy scheduling meetings with train operators to demand action on performance issues. The Department for Transport would not confirm to RAIL when those meetings would take place.

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.