Train services are still not as reliable as they were before the Hatfield rail crash, latest figures show.

There are still nearly 10% more delays than before the Hatfield crash almost 20 months ago, despite some punctuality improvements

Penalties imposed by regulators have meant cheaper season tickets for commuters in the south east of England but long-distance fares have risen.

The figures are revealed in the latest performance report from the Strategic Rail Authority for last winter.

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click here to watch our discussion on the latest rail figures.

On Breakfast we spoke to Richard Bowker, chairman of the Strategic Rail Authority and to Philip Benham from the Association of Train Operating companies.

Richard Bowker said:

"Regarding fares: there's more choice."

The figures are encouraging, but there's no room for complacency, we still have a long way to go, 80% of all trains are arriving within 10 minutes, that's a good base to work on...we're doing it on a network with 20% ore trains...our performance is improving, long distance travel fares have gone down in the long term, there's more choice...we're putting performance on the top of our agenda, there's enormous amounts of focus.

Philip Benham said:

"It is encouraging for passengers that things are moving forward."

We had a tremendous job to do since Hatfield, it is encouraging for passengers that things are moving forward, there are more trains running, and more people are coming into London in peak time, it is essential that satisfaction rates are going up.

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The figures indicate that it may be months before services are as reliable as they were before Hatfield.

Delays have become a way of life for commuters

One in four long-distance trains were at least ten minutes late during the winter with the London to Scotland GNER service the poorest performer.

One in five local trains were more than five minutes late.

The rail industry agrees there is still plenty of room for improvement but points to steady increases in the number of trains running on time.

Bad autumn and winter weather have hindered efforts to restore services and some sections of the network are still delayed by track speed restrictions.

Network delays

GNER - 31% Virgin Cross Country - 28% Anglia - 18% First Great Eastern - 9%

The country's best performers were in eastern England.

GNER had the most delays with 31% of its trains delayed and Virgin Cross-Country had 28% late.

Long distance operator Anglia had 18% of its trains late, and commuter network First Great Eastern had half as many late.

The STA figures also show fares for some long-distance travellers have gone up by almost 10% in the last three years.

Fares which are not regulated have been rising steadily in real terms over the last three years - by up to 10% for long distance trains and 5% for shorter journeys.

Passengers with season tickets and many of those in the south east have escaped the rises because their fares are capped.