Merseyrail right on time with new record

MERSEYRAIL says it has achieved an industry first with 99 per cent of trains arriving on time or within five minutes over 28 days.

The rail firm says the achievement is a UK first and solidifies its reputation as one of the most punctual operators in the country.

Merseyrail acknowledged that passengers numbers were down due to the Covid pandemic but bosses pointed to challenges including extreme weather conditions as making the achievement more significant.

Zoe Hands, chief operating officer at Merseyrail, said: “With passenger numbers starting to grow as we emerge from lockdown, our trains have called at stations over 187,000 times during the past month to get key workers and those on essential journeys to where they need to be.

“We’ve long prided ourselves on making sure the Liverpool City Region has the best rail service in Britain and we are almost always on time averaging over 97pc punctuality.

“However, to hit 99pc is a staggering and unprecedented achievement and a true testament to the hard work of all our staff.

“If we can achieve this with what is, on average, the oldest fleet of passenger trains of a UK operator, imagine the possibilities when we begin to roll-out the brand new fleet of trains.

“I would like to extend my thanks to the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and our service partners at Stadler, Network Rail, British Transport Police and Carlisle, without whom these kinds of achievements would not be possible.

“To our passengers I would like to say that we are looking forward to welcoming you all back and we are ready when you are with cleaner, more reliable and punctual trains than ever before.”