LNER
  1. Home / 
  2. Welcome to LNER / 
  3. How we're performing

How we're performing

Improving journeys on the East Coast Main Line

Every journey matters to us

Across LNER and Network Rail, our teams work together every day to reduce disruption, improve reliability, and help keep customers moving safely and smoothly across the East Coast Main Line.

From infrastructure upgrades to real-time travel information, we're building a more reliable railway for the future.

Improving your journeys together

We know disruption is frustrating, and we're sorry when your journey doesn't go to plan. We're investing in people, technology and smarter ways of working across the East Coast Main Line to improve reliability and reduce disruption.

  • Infrastructure upgrades

    Working with Network Rail to improve the railway behind every journey, from track monitoring to overhead line resilience, helping build a more reliable railway for the future.

    See what's happening behind the scenes
  • Smarter operations

    Using real-time data and advanced planning to keep trains moving and get you to your destination as smoothly as possible.

    Smarter operations
  • Safer for everyone

    From wildlife-sensitive systems to better lineside fencing, we're making the railway safer for customers, colleagues and communities.

    Innovation from LNER
  • Better information

    Improving real-time updates, journey alerts and information so you can travel with confidence.

    LNER Assistant
  • LNER Azuma train

    Investing in our fleet

    Introducing new trains and improving the reliability of existing ones to bring you a better journey.

    Investing in our fleet
  • Weather resilience

    Working with Network Rail to ensure the railway can cope better with the extremes of weather.

    Weather resilience

Why engineering work matters

Improving a railway used by millions of people means we sometimes need to temporarily close parts of the route to carry out upgrades safely.

That's why we plan engineering work carefully to cause as little disruption as possible.

It can be inconvenient in the short term, but it makes your railway better in the long run.

Find out about upcoming engineering works

What we're measuring

  • How we measure punctuality

    We use the industry‑standard ‘On Time’ measure to track how our trains run. It records punctuality to the minute at every station - not just the final stop- giving a clear view of your journey.

    Punctuality
  • When we report our performance

    We report results every four weeks (13 periods per year, starting on 1st April), which are usually published within two weeks of the period ending. The latest updates are always available here.

    Performance
  • Department for Transport Targets and KPIs

    We work to Targets and KPIs set with the Department for Transport (DfT) to focus on what matters most to you.

LNER's Period 2 Train Service Performance

LNER's performance was below the Department for Transport (DfT) Target level for punctuality and cancellations during Period 2 of Financial Year 2026-27 which ran from 3 May to 30 May 2026. These targets are included in the Services Agreement between LNER and the DfT.

Performance Commentary

LNER’s punctuality and cancellations in Rail Period 2 were adversely affected by trespass incidents and fatalities, train faults and infrastructure defects. There were five separate incidents of a person being struck by a train during the four weeks of the period, with the most significant event being on 28 May 2026 near Welwyn North station, resulting in around 30% of LNER services being cancelled on that day. Punctuality was also impacted by infrastructure faults, including damage to the overhead line equipment near New Barnet on 22 May.

Action Plan

LNER and Network Rail (NR) continue to work to understand the root causes of these events and mitigate their impact to customers’ journeys. Actions being implemented in response to the above incidents include:

  • LNER and Network Rail work with the British Transport Police, Local Authorities and partner organisations such as The Samaritans to understand the root causes of trespass and fatality incidents, help prevent these from occurring and improve our operational response when such incidents do occur

  • NR has a programme of ongoing overhead line renewals work to improve resilience of the overhead line equipment

Train Service Performance

What we're measuring definitions

Overall punctuality

Whether it’s getting to that big business pitch in time, or heading home to pick the kids up from school, we know your time is precious. Unfortunately, delays happen. We all wish they didn’t but sometimes, it’s out of our control.

Every month we share useful information to help you understand just how punctual we really are.

Last updated: 9 July 2026

Latest punctuality report