PUNCTUALITY has improved on South West Trains since the introduction of a new timetable.

In its first week, punctuality averaged at 85.5 per cent, which bosses say is one of the best ever results.

Last year in the same period the result was a mere 76.6 per cent.

Managing director Andrew Haines said the results were encouraging.

"I am pleased with this week's performance and it is not simply because of padding out the timetable, as has been alleged, but because it is more robust and realistic," he said.

South West Trains introduced its new timetable on Sunday, December 12. It is the first change on the network in more than 35 years and affects every service on every route, adding 2,500 seats in peak times.

Mr Haines said: "The introduction has generally gone smoothly, in stark contrast to the last timetable change in 1967.

"It shows that today's railway can do things properly and that our concerted efforts to communicate the change as widely as possible have paid off."

On Sunday, December 12, punctuality peaked at 92 per cent. On the following day it was 80.3 per cent, on the Tuesday 90.8 per cent, on the Wednesday 94 per cent, on the Thursday 83 per cent, on the Friday 75.6 per cent and on the Saturday 88.7 per cent.

Mr Haines said: "While some people have raised their concerns, which we are looking into, I have had a great deal of positive feedback from passengers."

The new timetable was two years in the making and will operate until June 11, when its success will be reviewed.