UK Train Cancellations Hit Record High with Over 360,000 Services Affected in 2024

Staffing shortages, reliance on overtime, and infrastructure issues contribute to worst rail reliability since 2015.

• A total of 370,000 train services were fully or partially cancelled in the year ending November 9, 2024, equating to 4% of all scheduled trips.
• This marks the joint worst reliability performance since records began in March 2015, when the cancellation rate was 1.9%.
• Staffing shortages, including reliance on voluntary overtime and slow recruitment, are cited as key factors, with Sunday services particularly disrupted.
• The Labour Government's renationalisation plan, under the new Great British Rail operating body, aims to address systemic issues by taking full control of rail services.
• Operators like Avanti West Coast and CrossCountry recorded the highest cancellation rates, while c2c had the lowest, at 1.6%.

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