How we're performing

How we measure punctuality

At LNER, we’re committed to giving you a reliable, stress‑free journey. To help us track how well we’re doing, we use the industry‑standard ‘On Time’ measure - just like other train operators. This looks at punctuality to the minute at every station along the route, not just the final stop, giving a more accurate picture of your service.

When we report our performance

Our performance is reported in four‑week periods, with 13 periods making up each reporting year. The year begins in April (Period 1), and we publish the latest results here as soon as they’re available - usually around two weeks after each period ends. If you’d like to know more about how punctuality is measured across the rail industry, you can find full details on the Network Rail website.

Department for Transport Targets and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

As part of our Service Agreement with the Department for Transport (DfT), we work towards a range of operational Targets and KPIs. These help ensure we’re focusing on the areas that matter most to our customers and communities. In the ‘What We’re Measuring’ section below, you’ll find our performance‑related Targets and KPIs.

LNER's Period 11 Train Service Performance

LNER's performance was below the Department for Transport (DfT) Target level for punctuality and cancellations during Period 11 of Financial Year 2025-26 which ran from 04 January to 31 January 2026. These targets are included in the Services Agreement between LNER and DfT.

Performance Commentary

LNER’s punctuality and cancellations in Rail Period 11 were adversely affected by both infrastructure and weather-related incidents. There was a particularly disruptive incident at the start of the period with a broken track joint at Yaxley near Peterborough. This impacted both cancellations and punctuality for two days, the second day a result of crew and fleet being in displaced during the original incident. The LNER network was also impacted by severe weather during the period, including Storm Chandra and the impact of heavy snowfall in Scotland.

Action Plan

LNER continues to work closely with Network Rail and the Department for Transport to limit both the root causes of these events and mitigate their impact to customer’s journeys.

Actions being taken to address the incidents described above include:

• Reducing Infrastructure Incidents and Disruption

  • LNER has worked in partnership with Network Rail to install track monitoring systems on its Azuma trains. This equipment monitors, records and analyses track condition, enabling faults to be identified and addressed before they can cause a performance issue

  • Network Rail continue with a programme of track renewals along the East Coast Route, with large volumes of work being undertaken during weekend line closures between London and Peterborough

• Reducing the impact of Severe Weather

  • Network Rail has been undertaking a programme of drainage clearance, water jetting and targeted renewals to reduce the risk of flooding due to heavy rain

  • Network Rail is installing remote CCTV at the highest risk flood risk locations including in cuttings and near tunnels to reduce the requirement for speed restrictions to be imposed during periods of severe rain