English rail passengers can now see how reliable their local train services are, thanks to performance data going live at over 1,700 stations from today.

The data, which is broken down by operator, shows the percentage of trains cancelled and how punctual trains are at each station displayed via digital screens. Where screens aren’t possible, passengers can scan a QR code to see the data online.

The screens also display a short commentary on work underway by the operators and Network Rail to improve performance.

The UK Government hopes that these changes will help to hold operators to account, encouraging them to drive efficiency and productivity, deliver better connectivity, and provide more value for money for passengers.

“Today marks the beginning of a new era of rail accountability,” said transport secretary Heidi Alexander.

“These displays are a step towards rebuilding trust with passengers using our railways as we continue to tackle the root causes of frustrating delays and cancellations.

“Through fundamental rail reform, we’re sweeping away decades of dysfunctionality – putting passengers first, driving growth through connectivity as part of this government’s Plan for Change.”

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Public frustration around train punctuality, cancellations, and prices is evident across the UK—and Scotland is no exception.

According to a poll published by The Herald earlier this year, just one fifth of people think ScotRail is good value for money.

However, it also found that of the operators that serve Scotland, ScotRail had the highest percentage of trains that arrive on time (69.8%) in 2023-24 when compared to the Caledonian Sleeper, LNER, TransPennine Express, and Avanti West Coast.

Further, when it comes to train cancellations ScotRail had just 2.3% cancellations in 2023-24, the lowest score in Scotland, and the third lowest across the whole of the UK beaten only by Greater Anglia and Southeastern.

But could having statistical data physically displayed at each Scottish station improve these percentages further, and perhaps change how the public feel about operators in Scotland, not least ScotRail?