Just 2% of busiest trains on key London to Manchester line run on time
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Failing passenger service is a ‘national embarrassment,’ says Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham. Just 2% or fewer of trains on some of the busiest Avanti West Coast services between London and Manchester are leaving and arriving on time, analysis of National Rail figures reveals.
The operator of West Coast Main Line services remains the worst rail company in the UK for delays despite its pledge of a “laser focus” on improving performance. Among some of its worst performing services are the 8.53am weekday service from London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly and the 10.15am weekday service from Manchester Piccadilly to London Euston.
Of the 8.53am trains, 2% ran on time in the 12 weeks to 20 December, while 5% of trains on the 10.15am service ran on time, according to National Rail data analysed by the website On Time Trains. Points failures, landslips, delayed train crews and slow-running services on the track all contributed to delays.
This weekend, Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham called for the government to appoint a “troubleshooter” to “get a grip” on the railway network. He wants Avanti West Coast to be stripped of the franchise. He said: “Train services between the country’s most important cities are a national embarrassment.”.
