Hull Trains named as the most reliable rail service in Britain

Hull Trains has been recognised as the most reliable operator in the UK in the latest published statistics.

As other operators across the UK have struggled with cancellations resulting from wide-ranging circumstances, the FirstGroup-owned open access operator has continued to maintain direct services to London King’s Cross from the city, Selby, Retford, Howden, Grantham, and Doncaster.

Disruption over the most recent four-week period was so minimal that the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) data named Hull Trains as the best-performing operator, following the publication of its recent statistics. The ORR is a non-ministerial government department responsible for the regulation and performance of National Highways including rail.

Its most recent report, covering the four-week period to September 16, showed that only one-per-cent of Hull Trains’ services were affected by a cancellation. This was the lowest figure among all train operating companies in the UK. It came days after record-breaking numbers were carried^[1] as major events coincided, including Hull KR’s Wembley Challenge Cup Final appearance.

Martijn Gilbert^[2], managing director of Hull Trains – an operator of 94 weekly services – said: “This an incredible achievement for Hull Trains. There have been so many circumstances that have affected the reliability of some rail services, many out of the operator’s control, so for Hull Trains to maintain vital transport links during the same period shows our commitment to delivering reliable and environmentally friendly services.

“It is testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire Hull Trains team. Whatever the challenge, we continue to deliver for our customers. Whilst this is pleasing news, we will not rest on laurels and will continue to look for new ways to further improve the level of service.”

The Hull Trains Class 802 train fleet is also currently the most reliable of the Hitachi AT300 type fleets anywhere in the UK. It comes during a time when there was positive news around electrification of the Hull to Selby stretch – which would finally give Hull Trains a diesel-free run to the capital. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak name-checked it in his conference speech^[3] that saw HS2^[4] curtailed at Birmingham.

The company is also about to improve its onboard offering with the introduction of locally sourced snacks and hot and cold drinks for standard class travellers. Set to launch by the end of the year, the operator has created a number of new roles including nine extra on-board hosts and three service centre assistants, swelling the team to 108.

References

1. ^{^} record-breaking numbers were carried (www.business-live.co.uk)
2. ^{^} Martijn Gilbert (www.business-live.co.uk)
3. ^{^} Prime Minister Rishi Sunak name-checked it in his conference speech (www.business-live.co.uk)
4. ^{^} HS2 (www.business-live.co.uk)