Train performance continued at record high levels in March with 93 out of 100 trains arriving on time during the month.

The figures were released today in Network Rail’s regular monthly report on train performance.  During the period from 7 March to 31 March, 93.5% of services arrived on time.  This compares to 92.7% in same period, period 13, last year.

Robin Gisby, director of operations and customer services, said: “Passengers continue to enjoy a high performing, punctual railway.  We, and the train operators, continue to invest in the railway to make it even better by providing more capacity, better stations and fewer buses.

“The immediate threat of a national rail strike is behind us and talks to resolve the situation with our trades unions continue.  We believe an amicable settlement, without the need for further ballots or threats of strike action, is possible.”

11 of the 19 operators saw their performance improve, or stay at record high levels, compared to the same period last year, with Virgin Trains and London Midland seeing the biggest improvement in performance this month compared to the same period last year. Six of the 19 operators saw significant movement in their performance (over three percentage points):

Table of operators that saw the most significant changes in performance

                P13 2009/10 P13 2008/09 % point change
Virgin Trains 91.0% 83.4% +7.6%
East Coast 87.0% 91.9% -4.9%
London Overground 96.4% 92.0% +4.4%
London Midland 92.5% 88.4% +4.1%
CrossCountry 89.2% 93.3% -4.1%
Southern   94.0% 91.0% +3.0%