Late-running trains

SIR – Grant Shapps, the Transport Secretary, claims that tightening up the definition of a late train has improved punctuality (Comment, November 24). This may technically be true, but it has sometimes resulted in a worse service, as operators have taken the opportunity to tweak the timetable in order to avoid penalties.

Eighteen months ago, journeys from Victoria to East Grinstead were scheduled to take 55 minutes, and were occasionally delayed. They’ve since been retimed to take an hour – slower than the service 30 years ago pre-electrification.

Consequently trains are “late” less frequently, and fines are fewer, but passengers are clearly worse off. David Gadbury

East Grinstead, West Sussex