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Train operating companies’ performance figures for the final quarter of 1998/99 were published by Franchising Director Mike Grant today.
Commenting on the results, he said:
"This is the first quarterly performance report published since I took up my duties earlier this month. In too many cases, current performance is not acceptable. While passengers can be reasonably confident that their train will run, the operators’ record on ensuring they get there on time remains unacceptable.
"This performance underlines the challenge the industry faces if it is to deliver the year on year service improvements promised at February’s National Rail Summit. The operators in general, and some in particular, need to show a sustained improvement. I will therefore be reviewing their plans to deliver the promises made to the Deputy Prime Minister and the travelling public.
"As ministers have made clear, and I make no apologies for repeating, operators wishing to have a future in the rail industry need to deliver improved performance. Those improvements should have started already. We have to ensure that the public receives value for money, and I intend to see that this happens."
