Media Centre

Cold weather hot performance: 10 February 2010; Merseyrail has again proved it is the best performing rail company in the UK.

Despite the worse winter in 30 years 97.85 per cent of its trains ran – and on time – over the four week period ending Saturday February 5.

The figures, released by Network Rail, bring Merseyrail’s reliability average over the past 12 months to 96.33 per cent – the highest ever achieved by any UK train operator.

Mark Dowd, chair of Merseytravel, said:”This is an incredible performance, even more so with the conditions we have faced over winter.

It is a credit to every one who worked so hard to maintain such a brilliant service for the people of Merseyside.”

Bart Schmeink, managing director of Merseyrail, added: “Only last week, 91% of our passengers gave Merseyrail the thumbs-up in the National Passenger Survey, the highest score in the country, so achieving these incredible punctuality scores will only enhance the overall passenger experience.

“It’s all about relentless attention to detail day in, day out together with our colleagues at Network Rail to make sure we consistently offer what passengers want.”

“To achieve this when many forms of transport were virtually at a standstill during the recent snow and ice, shows that Merseyrail is going from strength to strength and that we are dedicated to providing the best service we can.”

Jo Kaye, Network Rail’s route director, said: “This is a remarkable achievement because the high performance levels have been maintained through the worst winter in thirty years.

“The dedication shown by our people on the ground who turn out in all weathers and at all times of the day and night to keep the railway running, together with the efforts of our Merseyrail colleagues, is something that deserves the recognition that these results bring.”; Back to Media Centre