CONTROVERSIAL train operator Regional Railways North East has suffered a stinging attack at the hands of an independent watchdog.

The Railway Development Society insists RRNE is to blame for virtually all the regional network punctuality problems and has called for urgent action to restore public confidence.

James Towler, chairman of the Railway Development Society, delivered his scathing comments in the group's annual review of Yorkshire rail services.

The review, based on spot checks of more than 4,500 express and 5,000 local trains, praised rival firms, but insisted RRNE could do better.

Mr Towler, who retires this year, says: "While several of the privatised companies have made a positive impact - most notably GNER and Midland Main Line....unfortunately, this has been completely overshadowed by RRNE whose performance from March, as measured by the vast increase in cancelled local services, can be summarised in one word: pathetic!"

"This is not intended as a criticism of front-line staff. Indeed, but for their efforts, the situation would have been worse.

"However, excuses given over the Tannoy of trains being cancelled due to 'staff shortages' cut little ice with passengers aware that these shortages were self-inflicted by the senior management's 'driver restructuring programme'."

But, defending RRNE's service, spokesman Howard Keal rejected Mr Towler's claims.

Admitting the company had been dogged by staffing difficulties, he said: "Services out of York are operating at a high level of reliability and we are seeing growing numbers of passengers using our trains.

"Our passenger charter figures show a reliability level of 98.7 per cent on our flagship TransPennine Express service - in other words 98.7 per cent of scheduled trains are running on time. We did go through a period of driver shortages which affected some routes last year as a result of higher than expected turnover of staff and high sickness levels."

Mr Keal added that measures are now in place to prevent a repeat of the staff shortage crisis.

"We have been recruiting over a long period and in the Leeds area we have just been through a campaign offering 35 trainee driver posts even though we only have six vacancies."

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