Rail commuters have backed the latest push for "rail accountability", as stations will now be forced to display their performance statistics for delays and cancellations.
For the first time across England, more than 1,700 train stations across Britain will display data showing the punctuality of trains at individual stations.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has hailed the move, marking a "new era of rail accountability" and a "step towards rebuilding trust with passengers using our railways".
Speaking to commuters at Gathurst Station in Wigan, reporter Steve Bennett questioned Britons on whether they backed the new initiative to expose rail failings.
Commuters have backed a new push for 'rail accountability' after facing swathes of 'frustrating' delays and cancellations
GB News / PA
One commuter told GB News that "anything that keeps passengers informed" will help, as travellers have been "left in the dark" by rail companies.
He said of the new displays: "Passengers feel that they are left in the dark a bit when trains don't turn up. They don't turn up, you don't know what's going on, so anything that keeps you informed helps."
When asked how frustrating it is when the trains are cancelled or delayed on his commute, the local said: "It's very frustrating, particularly when you've got a long journey or something like that. It can be very frustrating."
Expressing slight skepticism for the move, another commuter claimed that the new boards are "reinforcing something they already had", as he is able to check the information on his travel apps.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
UK rail stations will now display the performance stats of major train lines, including the Elizabeth line
Department for Transport
He fumed: "You're just stuck there waiting. You can't really claim the money back off them - you're just stuck there.
"So your only option is to just take a taxi or just wait till the next one arrives, and that could be about two or three hours."
Hitting out at the board system, he added: "I use the Northern Rail app, so I already know when something is cancelled or not, or if there's a delay, even if I'm 20 minutes out.
"So it's kind of reinforcing something they already had."
One commuter told GB News that the rail delays and cancellations are 'very frustrating'
GB News
When asked by Steven if he feels this is a step towards "rebuilding trust" with those who use the railways, he stated: "Well, I'm forced to use the rail. It's the only way to actually get to Wigan.
"Any other way is too expensive, so it's kind of the lesser two evils - it's cheaper and less time as well."
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: "These displays are a step towards rebuilding trust with passengers using our railways as we continue to tackle the root causes of frustrating delays and cancellations.
"Through fundamental rail reform, we’re sweeping away decades of dysfunctionality – putting passengers first, driving growth through connectivity as part of this government’s Plan for Change."
Ince & Elton in Cheshire tops the list of underperforming stations in the UK, with 22.83 per cent of its scheduled 92 services cancelled.
The worst performing major UK station was Ealing Broadway in West London, where 7.9 per cent of services were cancelled.
Train reliability across Britain is at a record low, with the equivalent of more than one in 25 services cancelled in the year to February 1.
Jacqueline Starr, chief executive of the Rail Delivery Group, which represents operators, said:
“We know how frustrating it is for customers when their train is cancelled or delayed.”
“By being transparent with this data and the positive actions we’re taking, it shows how serious the industry is in putting this right by continuing to strive for improvements.”
