Thameslink performance falls short in May – June (again)

First Capital Connect recently published their performance stats for the period running between 30 May to 26 June. Once again, performance on the Thameslink route was unacceptable with just 88.2% of planned train service running less than 5 minutes late at their final destination. 3.2% of planned services (Thameslink + Great Northern routes combined) were also cancelled for part or all of their journey.

FCC also disclose that their target is for 90.32% of planned Thameslink services to run less than 5 minutes late at their final destination. Therefore, in the May – June period FCC underperformed even by their own standards! Why they do not have a target score of 100% is unclear, but at least they are now prepared to admit they do not offer customers a 100% train service, although we don’t we get a 9.68% reduction in our fares!

First Capital Connect’s excuse this time was as follows;

Performance was on target up until near the end of the period, however major signal problems occurred on the 22 June and a combination of factors including infrastructure and driver availability affected performance for the remaining days of the period. FCC is recruiting extra drivers and working with Network Rail to get performance back above target. This was the first period out of the last four, which have been below target. Periods 13, 1 and 2 running from 7 March to 29 May 2010 were above target.

FCC also cite a number of incidents that affected performance including a ‘Staff incident at Blackfriars’ on the 25th June. Could they be any more vague?!

On the great Northern route performance was 93.3%, against target of 94.65%.

The full report can be accessed by clicking here (PDF)

The performance stats are bad – but here at Ihatethameslink.co.uk we believe FCC do not disclose statistics which truly represent the route’s performance. We will shortly be launching a petition to ask FCC to disclose meaningful statistics. The petition will highlight the following points.

1. The Thameslink route is used primarily as a commuter route, but the statistics measure performance at the final destination. This should be changed to i.e. St Pancras International.
2. The statistics combine both rush hour and off peak travel. These should be separated.
3. Cancellation statistics are combined for Thameslink and the Great Northern route. These should be separated.
4. Services should be classified as ‘late’ after 1 minute, and not 5 minutes which is currently used.

If you have any other points to raise please email admin@ihatethameslink.co.uk or give me a shout on twitter @ihatethameslink or leave a comment below!