Merseyrail Ranks as the UK's 5th Most Reliable Train Operator

NEW research has uncovered the UK's most and least reliable train operators. Unlike what most people might think, the study has found that Merseyside is 1 of the best in the UK for reliability. It is in fact the only urban commuter rail network to be in the top 5, as all the others are non-urban line operators. It is also the only Northern urbran rail operator to be listed in the top 10!

The study by Bet Clever analysed new data from the Office of Rail and Road between August 2024 and August 2025, evaluating 20 UK rail operators on their punctuality, percentage of cancelled trains, and average passenger delays to create a performance score out of 100!

The UK’s 5 most reliable train operators:-

Greater Anglia came in the top spot with a performance score of 97.16 out of 100. The operator scored well for punctuality with 83.81% of trains arriving within 59 seconds of their scheduled time, while passengers experienced average delays of just 1.37 minutes.

c2c follows close behind in second with a score of 96.74. The operator delivered the lowest average passenger lateness at just 1.12 minutes and saw a low cancellation rate of 1.08%.

Chiltern Railways rounded out the top 3 most reliable operators with a score of 86.39, followed by ScotRail in fourth at 81.40 and Merseyrail in fifth at 79.46. These operators all saw average passenger delays under 2.5 minutes and had cancellation rates below 2.1%.

The UK’s 5 least reliable train operators:-

Avanti West Coast ranked as the UK's least reliable train operator with a low score of:- 7.84 out of 100. Passengers on Avanti services faced the longest average delays at:- 10.61 minutes, with just:- 38.9% of trains arriving on time.

CrossCountry emerged as the 2nd worst performer with a score of:- 22.19 and the highest cancellation rate among all operators at:- 4.88%. The service also recorded an average passenger delay of:- 6.10 minutes.

Great Western Railway ranked as the 3rd least reliable operator with a score of:- 40.86, followed by Northern Trains in 4th at:- 40.91 and London North Eastern Railway in fifth at:- 41.97. All three services recorded average passenger delays exceeding:- 4.5 minutes and on time percentages below:- 62%.

Bet Clever's Roberto Romanello commented on the findings:- "These statistics show significant differences in the reliability of train services across the UK. Passengers on the worst performing routes face more than 5 times the delays compared to the best services. With train fares continuing to rise each year, passengers have every right to expect punctual services. The stark contrast between operators suggests that reliability issues cannot simply be blamed on infrastructure alone, as some operators clearly manage to maintain much better performance than others on the same rail network."

This study utilised the latest UK Government data from the Office of Rail and Road to evaluate UK rail operators on their lateness, the percentage of on time trains, and the percentage of cancellations between:- August 2024 and August 2025. Performance scores were calculated based on these metrics.

The following operators were excluded due to a lack of data:--

Full Rankings of UK Train Operators by Reliability:-

Health Experts Urge North West Residents to Protect Against Winter Bugs

WITH winter in full flow and cases of flu surging in the North West, Health Chiefs are urging people to roll up their sleeves and get protected with seasonal vaccinations. 

Flu and child immunisations are now available to book at SSP Health GP Surgeries across the Region, as part of a big push to keep communities safe this winter. 

In the past 12 months, SSP Health teams have already delivered nearly 25,000 flu vaccinations across the North West, helping thousands of patients stay safe. 

Since 1 September 2024, they have delivered:- 35,221 immunisations across the Region, not just for flu, but for measles, shingles and other preventable illnesses.
  
And in total they've delivered over one million jabs to people in the area. 

Nationally, flu leads to an average of around:-17,000 deaths in England each year and since the start of 2025 Salford now has the 3rd highest number of measles cases in England, with 35 confirmed by lab scientists. (source: UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) 

SSP Health CEO Andy Scaife explains:- "Vaccines are one of the best protections we've got, for ourselves, our families and our neighbours, We want people to enjoy the winter season without the worry of flu, measles, or other preventable illnesses. Getting your jab is quick, safe and could make all the difference." 

It's not just flu that Doctors are warning about this winter. Three other seasonal vaccines are also being urged for older and at risk groups; shingles, pneumococcal (IPD) and RSV. 

Around 50,000 shingles cases hit over 70s in England and Wales every year, with almost a third of patients developing long lasting nerve pain called post-herpetic neuralgia. In severe cases, shingles can be fatal, with:- 1 in 1,000 over 70s dying from it. The vaccine is now offered from age 65 in stages, as well as to those severely immunosuppressed from age 18. 

Pneumococcal (IPD) can cause pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis, killing thousands every year. More than:- 5,000 cases of invasive pneumococcal disease are diagnosed annually in England, mainly affecting the very young, elderly and those with chronic conditions. All adults aged:- 65 and over, plus those aged:- 2 to 64 in clinical risk groups, are eligible. 

RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) is a major cause of respiratory illness in infants and older adults. It is behind:- 175,000 GP visits and up to:- 7,500 deaths among older adults in England and Wales every winter, mostly in people over 75. From this year, all adults aged:- 75 to 79 will be called for the vaccine, with pregnant women also eligible. 

This winter, the free NHS flu jab is being offered to those most at risk, including:- everyone aged:- 65 and over, children aged:- 2 and 3, and all Primary School pupils plus some Secondary School students in Years:- 7 to 11. Pregnant women, care home residents, people with certain medical conditions (including babies over 6 months old), carers, those living with immunocompromised people, and frontline health and social care workers are also encouraged to get protected. 

Andy added: - "We know life is busy, but getting vaccinated is one of the most important things you can do for your health. If you're eligible, don't put it off. Book your jab and give yourself peace of mind for the winter months." 

What are your thoughts on this news topic? Email our Newsroom at:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com or send us a message on:- Mastodon, Facebook, or Twitter. Please do let us know as we love to hear your views....