Chelmsford leads for reliability while Welwyn Garden City lags behind
A new report evaluating commuter train stations outside the M25 has revealed the best and worst locations for rail passengers travelling into the capital.
According to data from On Time Trains, Chelmsford secured the top spot for another year, while Welwyn Garden City was ranked the worst-performing station. Essex stations dominated the higher ranks, with Basildon, Shenfield, and Wickford placing among the best.
The study assessed 30 key stations with over a million annual passenger journeys, using four factors: reliability, service frequency, travel speed, and cost efficiency.
Findings indicate a decline in overall performance, with only 52 per cent of commuter trains running on time—down from 56 per cent the previous year. Additionally, almost four per cent of services were cancelled. However, significant disparities exist between stations and operators.
Tonbridge in Kent saw fewer than a quarter of Southeastern services arriving on time, while 90 per cent of Greater Anglia trains at Wickford operated punctually—despite Tonbridge commuters paying higher fares.
Chelmsford retained first place by performing well across all categories, with 85 per cent of its services arriving on time and cancellations remaining below two per cent. Frequent departures ensured commuters had trains to and from Liverpool Street every few minutes.
In contrast, Welwyn Garden City’s performance continued to deteriorate, dropping to the bottom of the list. Nearly a third of its trains were either over five minutes late or cancelled, worsening from the previous year’s 26 per cent. With slow travel speeds averaging just 37 mph and infrequent peak-time services, the station’s ranking suffered.
Other poor performers included Reading, which struggled with delays and cancellations due to infrastructure issues west of Paddington. St Albans also saw a significant drop in ranking, facing the highest cancellation rate among the 30 stations analysed.
Last week, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander released national data on train reliability, highlighting the worst-performing stations. In London, Homerton station in Hackney recorded the highest cancellation rate, followed by nearby Hackney Wick.
Mark Wherity of On Time Trains explained that these rankings offer a detailed insight into commuter services by focusing on peak-time journeys. He emphasised that while some stations may appear reliable overall, their commuter services often face significant disruptions, affecting daily travellers the most.