20 out of 25 passenger train firms were found to have improved

The Strategic Rail Authority said on some routes almost a third of trains were late. Central Trains was the worst performer with 67.8% punctuality.

But the 76.5% trains-on-time figure for October-December 2003 was the period's best since 1999 and up 4.2% on 2002.

The SRA said 20 out the 25 passenger train companies showed an improvement in performance from 2002 to 2003.

Long-distance operators showed the biggest improvement - up more than 11%.

While peak-time services for London and south-east England operators also improved, more than one in four rush-hour trains still ran late, the SRA found.

It said Thameslink ran only 60.3% of peak-hour trains on time.

'Welcome improvement'

PUNCTUALITY - BEST AND WORST Long-distance Operators Virgin West Coast (75.8%) Midland Mainline (68.5%) London and South East (all day) Chiltern Railways (91.7%) South West Trains (70.3%) Regional Island Line (96.8%) Central Trains (67.8%) *SRA figures for October-December 2003

Chairman Richard Bowker said: "These figures represent a welcome improvement - another step in the ongoing challenge to lift performance.

"The industry must continue to improve and deliver higher performance for passengers and better value for taxpayers."

Transport Secretary Alistair Darling said the figures were "a testament to the rail industry's efforts last autumn to improve performance".

But he added: "Much more needs to be done.

"The industry must continue to improve performance over time to ensure passengers get the service they deserve."

South Eastern Trains

Meanwhile, the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union urged the SRA not to "re-privatise" the publicly managed South Eastern Trains franchise after 74.6% of its trains were found to be on time.

The figures showed an 8.9% improvement in punctuality on the year before, when it was controlled by the private firm, Connex.

RMT General secretary Bob Crow said: "This is the proof in black and white that the franchise is performing better now it is back in public hands.

"It would be simply crazy for the Government to go ahead with its plans to privatise the franchise all over again."