Passenger Focus responds to the publication of rail performance data
10 July 2012
Passenger Focus, the independent watchdog, today welcomed the publication of information showing how many trains arrive at their destination within 59 seconds of their scheduled time.
Anthony Smith, Passenger Focus chief executive, said:
“Publishing ‘right time’ information is an important and welcome move by the rail industry – passengers have always been suspicious of punctuality statistics that allow trains to be up to five or 10 minutes late and still count as on time.
“We welcome the commitment to go further in the future by publishing train by train information as well. Passenger Focus looks forward to working with the rail industry to find out how passengers would like this information presented.”
Background
- Network Rail and train companies have today released more detailed information than ever before about train punctuality, showing passengers the number of services that arrive within a minute of their scheduled arrival time:
http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/Press-Releases/NEW-RAIL-PERFORMANCE-DATA-RELEASED-1b08/SearchCategoryID-2.aspx - In May 2011 Passenger Focus and the Office of Rail Regulation jointly published research about the rail industry putting more information in the public domain. The main finding is that passengers would value more rail data being brought into the public domain. Passengers saw the greatest benefit coming just through its existence and availability, with public information increasing the transparency of the rail industry and enabling greater scrutiny. Please click the link below to view/download ‘Putting rail information in the public domain’:
https://www.transportfocus.org.uk/research/publications/putting-rail-information-in-the-public-domain - For further information please contact:
Dervish Mertcan
Communications Officer
Tel: 0300 123 0847 / 07918 626 045
or e-mail: dervish.mertcan@transportfocus.org.uk