The UK’s railway network is in for a major change in the coming years as the government aims to bring it back under public ownership. Ministers say this will help to tackle cancellations and delays, which are plaguing people’s journeys across the country. But new On Time Trains data has suggested that some busy interchanges are ensuring that a great deal of their passengers are arriving on time.
RMP Products, a steel profiling company working in the sector, and Online Marketing Surgery have published their Train Station Report, taking the top 100 train stations based on passenger numbers, and working out the percentage of their services that were on time. Those included in the top 10 saw at least three quarters of their trains running well. Stansted Airport comes out on top, as well as Shenfield and London Marylebone. At each of these, 81% of trains arrived when they should have done. Chelmsford in Essex came close behind, with 79% of its trains being on time.
Moorgate in the City of London came third with 78%, followed by Abbey Wood on 76%.
Liverpool Street, now officially the busiest station in the UK, is also in the list, as well as Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road and Fenchurch Street.
Train Station | Percentage of trains on time (6 months before May 29) |
Stansted Airport | 81% |
Shenfield | 81% |
London Marylebone | 81% |
Chelmsford | 79% |
Moorgate, City of London | 78% |
Abbey Wood | 76% |
London Liverpool Street | 75% |
Bond Street | 75% |
Tottenham Court Road | 75% |
London Fenchurch Street | 75% |
Alongside interchanges that perform well, are inevitably those that do not.
UK stations frequently cited as having high cancellation rates include: St. Albans, Manchester Piccadilly, Dalston Kingsland, Hackney Central, City Thameslink, Bristol Temple Meads and London Blackfriars, according to the BBC.
TransPennine Express, which was brought under the government’s control two years ago, as been hailed as a blueprint for Great British Railways (GBR).
Transport minister Lord Hendy said in May: “TransPennine Express’s remarkable turnaround shows exactly why we’re bringing our railways back into public ownership as part of our plan for change.
“These impressive results demonstrate what happens when we put passengers and communities first rather than private profit.
“This is the blueprint for Great British Railways: a reliable, accessible and value for money railway that serves the public and drives economic growth not only across the North but the whole country.”