Local Train Company Bottom of the Punctuality Class

4.08.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 28th Jun 2004

In the latest quarterly figures on train punctuality, SW Trains was shown to have only 3 in 4 trains (74%) running on time, (within five minutes) - not only the worst of the London and SE operators but the worst in Britain and well below the national average of 83%. In the same period in 2003, SW Trains punctuality rate was 72.2% but those services which were then worse - like Thameslink and Virgin Cross Country - have pulled up their socks, whereas SW Trains has not. The best services like Chiltern, Thames Trains and First Grade Eastern, have punctuality rates between 85 and 90%.

Vincent Cable said: "the figures are shocking. For a long time, SW Trains have made a fairly persuasive case that they would be doing much better were it not for the failure of Network Rail to improve the infrastructure. But the last year's punctuality figures clearly show that SW Trains is a failing company. In the light of these figures it is difficult to see how their franchise can be continued".

Vincent Cable has written to the Managing Director of SW Trains to ask for a clear explanation as to why the company's performance has been so poor.

Vincent Cable has also asked SW Trains to explain the chronic over-crowding on the peak hour 07.50 train to Waterloo from Whitton since carriages have been cut from 8 to 4.

"There was a successful campaign several years ago to end the so called Sardine Train and we were given assurances that it wouldn't happen again. SW Trains seem to have short memories".