Trains run by three of the region's rail operators are becoming more punctual, according to new figures from National Rail.National Express East Anglia, which runs services to Norwich and across East Anglia from London Liverpool Street, recorded its highest train service punctuality figure since the current franchise began in April 2004.
Trains run by three of the region's rail operators are becoming more punctual, according to new figures from National Rail.
National Express East Anglia, which runs services to Norwich and across East Anglia from London Liverpool Street, recorded its highest train service punctuality figure since the current franchise began in April 2004. During the four weeks to May 30, trains operated across its network recorded an average punctuality of 94.3pc, up 2.3pc on the same period last year.
East Midlands Trains and CrossCountry also improved their punctuality, to 93.5pc and 92.5pc respectively. But First Capital Connect, which runs services between King's Lynn and London King's Cross, saw punctuality fall from 93pc to 92.3pc.
Patrick Hallgate, Network Rail Anglia's route director, said: 'Passengers across the network are reaping the real benefits of a high- performing, punctual railway.
'As we continue to invest in the railway in Anglia ahead of the Olympic games in 2012 and beyond, we will continue to work closely with the train operators to find ways to improve punctuality further still.'
Nationally, 93.4pc of services arrived on time - defined as within five minutes for commuter services and within 10 for long-distance services - compared with 91.7pc last year. Sixteen of the 19 train operators saw improvement.
Andrew Chivers, managing director of National Express East Anglia, thanked staff for their efforts and said the company was continu-ing to work with Network Rail towards consistently high standards of performance. And Peter Lawrence, Norwich-based president of campaign group Rail Future, said: 'We will never have a perfect system, and there will always be occasions where there will be problems, but this is cause for great optimism.'
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here