KENT MPs are challenging the most recent punctuality figures from Southeastern, because they have come in only just above the level at which compensation would be payable.

Southeastern is defending its statistics, saying they have been independently audited.

The operator has said that 82.04 per cent of its services were on time in 2010. Compensation of 5 per cent would have been payable to season ticket holders below 82 per cent.

One of the MPs, Greg Barker, whose constituency is Bexhill and Battle, has said that the figure ‘didn’t smell right’. Doubts have also been expressed by Tracey Crouch, the MP for Chatham and Aylesford.

She said she accepted that Southeastern's figures were the average, but was ‘surprised’ it had passed its target, pointing out that she had seen estimates that only 5 per cent of services ran on time during the recent bad weather.

Tunbridge Wells MP Greg Clark said he thought people would want ‘reassurance’ about the figures.

Now the MPs are calling for a recalculation, although Southeastern said its performance had been checked independently. In a statement, the company explained: ‘Punctuality and performance statistics are calculated using the standard industry methods, and the process is audited annually independently.’

The operator added that it runs emergency timetables only when it has been instructed to do so by Network Rail.

Back to News