c2c rail line hailed as most punctual in the UK (From Echo)

c2c rail line hailed as most punctual in the UK

6:00am Thursday 9th September 2010 in

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COMMUTERS on the c2c line into London enjoyed almost perfect punctuality last month as the operator scored a record-breaking performance.

New figures released by Network Rail show that c2c, which runs services between Shoebury, Southend and London Fenchurch Street, ran 98.8 per cent of services on time between July 25 and August 21, the best ever recorded on Britain’s railways.

On the Liverpool Street line, run by National Express East Anglia, services ran to schedule 93.4 per cent of the time, with the main causes of hold-ups being a serious lineside fire in Romford and a fatality at Enfield Lock.

Julian Drury, managing director of c2c, said: “I am delighted that c2c continues to set the standards for the rail industry in achieving another record for UK train punctuality.

“I am proud of everyone at c2c for their record breaking efforts and for the support of our colleagues at Network Rail in helping to consistently achieve such high levels of train service performance.”

Commuter Allan Parkin, 43, of Westborough Road, Westcliff, said: “I travel into Fenchurch Street from Chalkwell and I have to say the service is very good. It is very reliable. When you think back to the misery line of LTS Rail, you see what a superior service we have. I thnk c2c is excellent.”

Record train punctuality was logged across the UK, with 94.2 per cent of trains arriving on time, up from 94 per cent for the same period last year.

Following the release of the monthly figures, Network Rail’s route director for Anglia, Andrew Munden, said August had been an excellent month for delivering high-quality punctual services to both passengers and freight users across the UK.

He added: “The record-breaking performance of c2c is testament to the hard work of both Network Rail and c2c staff who work as a team to deliver the country’s most punctual rail service for passengers.

“Despite these excellent results we are not complacent and will continue to look for new ways to drive performance up further still.”