Train times off rails

BRITAIN’S busiest rail line was branded a shambles after three out of five trains arrived late, despite a £9billion upgrade.

00:00, Tue, Jun 2, 2009

FAILURE Three infive trains arrive late even though 9 billion was spent upgrading the system FAILURE: Three infive trains arrive late even though £9 billion was spent upgrading the system

The Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA), obtained figures showing that punctuality dropped to 39.4 per cent on the West Coast main line between Glasgow and London during April.

Figures for the whole month were 80 per cent, but, during the third week of the month, they fell well below 50 per cent for three days.

TSSA leader Gerry Doherty said: “It beggars belief that Network Rail can spend £9billion and only two trains out of every five arrive on time.”

A Virgin Trains spokesman said: “In April, we l complained to Network Rail. Our customers should be able to expect a better performance.”