LONDON — On-time performance by British passenger trains is at its highest in two years but still short of prior levels, the Strategic Rail Authority said Thursday.
The Associated Press reports that the agency’s report showed that train punctuality in the second quarter of this year was 83 percent, the highest since a fatal derailment at Hatfield, north of London, revealed widespread faults in tracks.
Four people died on Oct. 17, 2000 when a broken rail derailed a high-speech passenger train. Subsequent inspections revealed cracks in many parts of the national system, and a crash program of repairs caused massive disruptions of service.
The on-time rate for all operators last year was 78 percent. In July-Sept. 2000, immediately before the Hatfield crash, 89.8 percent of trains ran on time.
“Performance is better than at any time since Hatfield but the rate of improvement is slow. This is a reminder of the challenge the industry faces, Chief Operating Officer Nick Newton said.
“An increase in investment — particularly in rolling stock — and our review of capacity utilization, will reap dividends going forward. But delivering for passengers and freight customers needs hard work and commitment from the whole industry.”