A new initiative will see train cancellation and delay data prominently displayed at over 1,700 railway stations in England starting this week. The information will be updated every 28 days, providing statistics for the most recent month to increase transparency and hold operators accountable. Large digital display boards will showcase performance information, while smaller stations will feature QR codes for passengers to scan on their smartphones.
Ince and Elton in Cheshire was identified as the worst-performing station for cancellations in the four-week period ending 1 February, according to data from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR). The data will be accessible online for people with print disabilities through a new portal designed for screen reader users, such as those who are blind or visually impaired. Although it is not a novel concept to publish train reliability data, this marks the first time such potentially embarrassing information is proactively presented to millions of daily train passengers in England.
The ORR’s quarterly performance statistics show that between 1 October and 31 December 2024, 5.1% of train services were cancelled, with only 62.1% running on time. The data also highlights the performance of individual train operators at each station, shedding light on the challenges they face in meeting service demands. Despite concerns raised by operators about factors beyond their control, such as unplanned incidents, the initiative aims to provide a more comprehensive view of train service reliability.
Notably, the data reveals Britain’s 10 worst-performing stations in terms of the percentage of cancelled trains, with Ince and Elton (Cheshire) leading the list at 22.8%. In contrast, 33 out of over 18,000 stations reported no cancellations during the same period. Transport Focus, an independent passenger watchdog, commended the move towards transparency, emphasizing the importance of rebuilding trust with passengers through initiatives like this. The railway industry, represented by the Rail Delivery Group, expressed its commitment to addressing customer frustrations by improving service reliability and performance
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