TRAIN operator c2c has operated the most punctual service in the country over the past year, according to official figures.

Statistics released by Network Rail show 96.9 per cent of trains on the network were on time in the 12 months up to the end of February.

Fellow Essex operator Abellio Greater Anglia had a 91 per cent punctuality rate, above the national average of 89.7 per cent.

c2c, which serves 26 stations from London Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness, has held its position at the top of the annual punctuality table continuously since December 2011.

Managing director Julian Drury said: “Our staff out a lot of effort into providing customers with the most punctual train service possible, and we're very proud of our status as the UK's number one."

Network Rail classes commuter services as punctual if they arrive at their terminating station within five minutes of their scheduled time, or ten minutes for long-distance services.

  • Have you got a question you would like to ask c2c boss Julian Drury? The Echo is holding a live web chat on Tuesday, March 31 from 8am. Email your questions to emma.thomas@nqe.com or comment below.