It’s a case of its better than it was but still not where it should be for the Tyne and Wear’s latest set of punctuality figures. Performance is continuing to struggle across the network with various issues combining to mean that the number of trains reported as being on time is still at a low level.
The latest four weeks under review is from 8th January to 4th February and during that period 75% of trains were on train (3 minutes later or 30 seconds earlier than timetabled). This is an increase on the previous four weeks when the figure had fallen to 67% but is lower than the same four weeks in 2022 when it was at 82%.
Damage caused by Storm Otto which led to a temporary closure of the line through Whitley Bay (the station itself remains closed) didn’t help with these figures but train availability is also having a significant impact. Peak time extras haven’t been running recently and so far this year our contributor has only noted 73 of the Metrocars in service.
Other issues currently seen on the network include Haymarket being exit only and several lifts being out of action.