Severe train delays and cancellations at worst level in 17 years, figures show

Around one in 22 services was severely disrupted or cancelled in the last three months of 2018

Trains services are at their least reliable in 17 years, according to official figures, with around one in 22 services severely disrupted or cancelled in the last three months of 2018.

The latest figures from the Office of Rail and Road show that the national reliability measure, which records the proportion of trains that were significantly disrupted or cancelled, is at the highest level since 2001.

The data also showed that the overall punctuality of British rail services had slumped in the three months to last December compared with the same period in 2017.

The proportion of trains that were late stood at the worst level in 13 years, with around one in seven trains delayed by at least five minutes.

The decline in punctuality was mainly attributed to the timetable change in May 2018, which caused disruption during the summer, with Northern Rail services the worst hit.

Govia Thameslink was also hit by the timetable changes. Weather factors such as snow and leaves on the line also had an impact on punctuality.

In its scathing report on the botched introduction of new timetables in May last year, the Transport Select Committee said that “around a fifth of rail passengers have suffered appalling services and been very badly let down by the whole system”.

Commenting on the figures, Alex Hayman, Which? managing director of public markets, said: “The appalling disruption over the past year has had a devastating impact on passengers’ lives – leaving almost half of commuters feeling stressed and trust in the industry chronically low.”

“If the Government’s rail review is to restore trust in the system, it must listen to the concerns of these passengers, which have too often been an afterthought.

“The industry should not wait to make improvements and should roll out automatic compensation across the network so all passengers get the money they are owed for delays and cancellations.”

If your train has been delayed or cancelled, read The Independent’s guide on how to get your money back.