Minute-by-minute train delay data to benefit passengers

TRAIN passengers will be able to see more detailed figures about their service under changes aimed at making the UK rail industry the most transparent in Europe.

The Rail Delivery Group (RDG), which brings together train companies and Network Rail, said companies would now publish the proportion of trains arriving early, within a minute of their scheduled time and within three minutes. The present requirement means short and long-distance trains are considered “on time” if they are five or 10 minutes late, respectively. The new data mean customers will be able to see more detail on how train companies are performing.

Alex Hayman, Which? managing director of public markets, said this could be a “positive step for passengers but only if it results in rail companies making more trains run on time”.

About 80pc of stations have the technology to allow train punctuality to be measured by the minute and RDG said it was seeking to improve this.