TRAIN operator Merseyrail provides the most reliable service in the UK, according to new figures.

Despite the worst winter weather in 30 years, 97.85% of its trains ran – and on time – over the four- week period ending February 5.

The figures, released by Network Rail, bring Merseyrail’s reliability average over the past 12 months to 96.33% – the highest ever achieved by any UK train operator.

Mark Dowd, chair of transport authority Merseytravel, said: “This is an incredible performance, even more so with the conditions we have faced over winter.

“It is a credit to everyone who worked so hard to maintain such a brilliant service for the people of Merseyside.”

Bart Schmeink, managing director of Merseyrail, added: “Only last week, 91% of our passengers gave Merseyrail the thumbs-up in the National Passenger Survey, the highest score in the country, so achieving these incredible punctuality scores will only enhance the overall passenger experience.

“It’s all about relentless attention to detail day in, day out, together with our colleagues at Network Rail to make sure we consistently offer what passengers want.

“To achieve this, when many forms of transport were virtually at a standstill during the recent snow and ice, shows that Merseyrail is going from strength to strength and that we are dedicated to providing the best service we can.”

Merseyrail is one of the most intensively used networks in the UK, carrying around 110,000 passengers on 780 trains per weekday.

This makes it the busiest urban rail system outside London Underground. In the National Passenger Survey carried out last autumn, 91% of passengers rated Merseyrail “satisfied or good”. This compares to a national average of 81%.