New data on train delays shows true nightmare of travelling from Streatham stations

The high level of train cancellations and delays at all three Streatham stations is revealed in its full horror in latest statistics supplied in response to a Freedom of Information request we have made on behalf of Streatham Action Transport.

Give your experience of travelling by train from Streatham in this survey.

The rail indsutry target is that less than 10% of trains should be more than 5 mins late and 2% cancelled or severely late. Instead Streatham stations suffered up to 40% of trains delayed and up to 35% cancelled following the introduction of new (reduced service) timetables on 27th May 2018.


According to data supplied by Network Rail, the levels of service at all three Streatham stations were clearly terrible between 22 June 2017 and 25 July 2018:



Streatham station, 15-20% of trains late in the ten months before new timetables were introduced in May with the figure rising to 40% in June and July. 10-15% trains cancelled or severely late, rising to more than 35% in June and July after the introduction of new timetables.

Streatham Common station, 20-25% of trains late in the ten months before new timetables were introduced in May, and 8% of trains cancelled or severely late. The new, reduced service timetable has reduced cancellations and delays.

Streatham Hill stations, very similar to Streatham Common: 20-25% of trains late in the ten months before new timetables were introduced in May, and 8% of trains cancelled or severely late. The new, reduced service timetable has reduced cancellations and delays.





Responsibility for cancellations

We also asked whether delays and cancellations were caused by Network Rail (which runs the tracks) or the operators (which run the trains). Typically cancellations are caused equally by both. But at Streatham stations during this period the operators were responsible for more than twice as many cancellations than Network Rail.





 

Causes of operator cancellations
The main causes of operators' cancellations  were fleet-related issues, thought to be caused by the introduction of new rolling stock. Cancellations caused by train crew (missing or unavailable drivers or guards) have increased significantly since the new timetable was introduced. And operator cancellations have not improved through the introduction of the new timetable.

 

Responsibility for delay minutes
Instead of the expected split in responsibility for delays 2/3 Network Rail - 1/3 operators, delays at the Streatham stations are slightly more often the responsiblity of the operators.

And while Network Rail delays are on a slight decline, operator delays seem to be increasing.

Causes of Network Rail delays
Operational delay is very high - caused by congestion. Signalling problems are another significant factor. The very high number of 'unexplained' delays is another symptom of a congested service - these are delays that are too small to be explained individually. This is normally a small percentage of delay.

Causes of Operator delays
Operational delay is the greatest factor, which is unusual. Usually fleet and crew would be bigger causes of delays. This suggests operators' systems for running their trains are not working adequately.














Many thanks to transport consultant Pete Johnson  for analysing the data supplied.

Streatham Action is now carrying out a passenger survey to find out what the impact of these cancellations and delays have been on the lives of people living locally. If you would like your experiences to be taken into account, please complete this online survey.

The results will be used to put pressure on decision makers to prioritise improvements to public transport options in Streatham.