Yellow Advertiser 8.9.05

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Operator c2c is Britain's most punctual railway, according to latest figures released by Network Rail.

Average performance (punctuality and reliability combined) is ranked at 93.7 percent for the year, c2c's highest ever score - and over takes Merseyrail as the country's top performer.

The figures are a stark contrast to the Fenchurch Street line's former reputation as an unreliable service.

Dubbed the 'misery line' during the 1980's commuters were regularly forced to endure late and cancelled services.

c2c's route director Leila Frances visited Grays last Thursday to thank staff for their work in establishing the service as the UK's best.

"We have been at the top of the southeast league for most of this year.

Now to achieve the status of the train operating company with the best average performance of the year is a great achievement." she said.

"I would like to thank my staff and Network Rail for their dedication to the route and enthusiastic teamwork which has brought about an amazing transformation of the service over the past few years, and to thank my customers for their loyalty and support which I am delighted to be able to reward with a quality rail service."

But c2c has been criticised for reducing the amount of carriages, forcing some peak-time commuters to stand.

c2c operates a fleet of trains built specifically for the route and introduced in 2001.

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