A TRAIN operator has reported “excellent” train service performance for last month and the best-ever annual average punctuality for the East Anglia area. .

Greater Anglia announced a public performance measure (PPM) result of 93.6% for the most recent four-week period ending March 31.

This means the moving annual average (MAA) punctuality result – which measures performance over a 12-month period – has improved to a new high of 92.3%.

This is the best MAA figure recorded so far for the existing East Anglia franchise area, which was established in 2004.

Greater Anglia took over the franchise in February last year.

Ruud Haket, managing director Greater Anglia said: “Our relentless focus on delivering better train service punctuality is positively reflected in these latest performance statistics.

“Once more, the alliance with Network Rail and the increased reliability of our fleet of trains has helped to achieve an excellent four-week period of performance and the best-ever annual average punctuality across the Greater Anglia network.

“However, both we and our customers are looking for even higher standards and even greater consistency.

“We will therefore continue to work closely with our colleagues at Network Rail, focusing on further improvements for our customers and the region we serve.”

The train operator established an ‘alliance’ with Network Rail to drive up reliability levels and deliver a better service for customers. This partnership is focusing on improving performance and when problems do occur improved contingency plans are helping to ensure the service can recover more quickly.

Greater Anglia’s train fleet is also operating more reliably, with the intercity trains amongst the most reliable intercity trains on the UK network.

This joint strategy has also resulted in most weekends this year being free from disruptive engineering work, so passengers can enjoy weekend days out to and from the capital on the train on the Great Eastern Main Line (GEML) between Norwich, Ipswich, Colchester and London without the need to travel part of the way on a bus.

Weekends are now clear of disruptive engineering work on the GEML for the rest of the year, apart from one Sunday in early October.