THE ScotRail Alliance has achieved its best weekly performance since Abellio took control of the franchise in April 2015.

Some 95.4 per cent of trains were recorded as being on time between June 25 and July 1, during a period of major upgrades being undertaken on the existing network.

The news has arrived a week after it was revealed that during the four weeks before June 24 2017, 92 per cent of Scotland’s trains met the industry target public performance measure (PPM). The figures represent a two per cent increase on the previous year and are more than three per cent higher than the equivalent figures for England and Wales.

In total, 60,000 services ran on time during the four-week period.

Perry Ramsey, operations director at the ScotRail Alliance, expressed his satisfaction with the figures, saying: “The fact that we achieved our best weekly performance on record is good news for passengers across Scotland and a testament to the hard work of our dedicated staff. Last week more trains than ever ran on time, meaning more passengers enjoyed hassle-free journeys.

“When we are undertaking the biggest upgrade to Scotland’s rail network since Victorian times, this is an impressive performance and confirms that we continue to deliver for our passengers.

“The major improvements we are making to our service – from the electrification of the Glasgow to Edinburgh line, to the delivery of new trains, to the upgrades to stations all across Scotland – will ultimately mean faster journeys, more seats and better services for Scotland’s passengers.”

However, Labour critics believe more needs to be done.

Fewer than half of ScotRail services arrive on time at approximately a third of destinations across Scotland.

ScotRail’s own data, covering the period between April 30 and May 27, revealed that more than 50 per cent of services were late to arrive at 22 out of 73 stations. In some locations, including Largs and Carnoustie, the percentage was under 40 per cent.

Scottish Labour transport spokesman Neil Bibby voiced the party’s concern. “The fact that fewer than half of services arrive on time at 22 stations is quite frankly unacceptable,” he said, before highlighting that “public satisfaction with ScotRail is at a 14-year low”.