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19 month-high for trains running on time

Posted: 10th January 2020
  • Moving annual average for train punctuality best since June 2018.
  • Period 10 performance up 2.5 per cent on same period last year.

The number of trains running on time across Scotland’s Railway has reached its highest level since June 2018, as customers reap the rewards of investment in infrastructure and £475 million on new and upgraded trains.

New figures for the most recent period of performance (8 December – 4 January) show that 86.7 per cent of trains met the rail industry standard public performance measure (PPM) – up 2.5 per cent on the same period last year.

This means that the PPM MAA (Moving Annual Average), a key performance target for the Scottish Government, is now 88.5 per cent – the highest it has been for 19 months.

Punctuality has also improved for the third consecutive period, demonstrating the hard work of everyone across Scotland’s Railway to keep trains moving during a traditionally difficult time of year.

Major enhancements were made to the railway across the country during the Christmas and New Year period, with £8 million being spent to renew sections of track and junctions, upgrading signalling systems and improving major stations.

A critical part of those improvements included the major upgrade at Haymarket to improve the reliability of the track – this was a hugely successful piece of work with everyone across Network Rail and ScotRail working round-the-clock to keep customers moving.

The record investment in new and upgraded trains has delivered all 70 of the Class 385 Hitachi electric trains, 10 fully refurbished Inter7City trains and has taken the total number of carriages to 1,016, an increase of 28 per cent since the start of the Abellio ScotRail franchise.

Alex Hynes, Managing Director of Scotland’s Railway, said:

 “Everyone across Scotland’s Railway is working tirelessly to give our customers the service they expect and deserve, and it is fantastic to see such an encouraging period of performance during a challenging time of year.

“The unprecedented investment in Scotland’s Railway, including £475 million on new and upgraded trains, is really having a significant impact and we look forward to delivering an increasingly reliable service in the weeks and months ahead.”

 

Business Comment

Business Comment is the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce’s bi-monthly magazine. It provides insight on Edinburgh’s vibrant business community, with features on the city’s key sectors, interviews with leading figures and news on new business developments in the capital.
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