Scotland’s Railway has recorded near record levels of punctuality as it continues to provide a critical service for key workers and supports the lifting of lockdown restrictions and a return towards a more normal way of life.
New figures show that 95.5 per cent of trains met the rail industry standard public performance measure (PPM) in period 1 (4 April – 1 May). This means trains are arriving at their destination within 4 minutes and 59 seconds of their timetabled arrival time, having called at all scheduled stations.
It’s the second best period 1 result ever recorded by the franchise and it boosted ScotRail’s Moving Annual Average (MAA), which measures punctuality across a whole year, to 93 per cent, which is 0.5 per cent above the target of 92.5 per cent.
The figures are released just days before the train operator launches its new timetable. Almost 2,000 trains a day will be running from Monday, 17 May, a daily increase of 432 on the schedule announced in February.
Passenger numbers are still hugely down on pre-pandemic levels, however more customers are beginning to travel again on Scotland’s Railway because of the reduction in coronavirus controls.
Passengers will still have to wear a face covering and maintain physical distancing in stations and on trains, and should follow ScotRail’s five rules for safer travel. The train operator is confident the new timetable will allow an increasing number of customers to travel as safely and comfortably as possible.
They are being reminded to check their journeys in advance, and always buy a ticket before they board.
David Simpson, ScotRail Operations Director, said:
“It’s great to see that we continue to achieve these very high punctuality figures which are helping keep key workers moving.
“Our new timetable, which comes in on 17 May with more than 400 extra trains a day, is a first step in recognising that more people will want to travel by train as they return towards a more normal way of life.
“The high level of professionalism that ScotRail staff have shown since the first lockdown last March makes me confident that we will keep rising to the challenge as passenger numbers grow.”