Tougher targets to get trains running on time

Facing the first question time to an individual secretary of state in the Lords following reforms agreed last month, he said passengers did not regard current rules as tough enough.

Responding to a question from Labour's Lord Snape, Lord Adonis said punctuality for 2009 was over 90 per cent – the best since the public performance measure was introduced.

But he added: "'No complacency' are my middle names, and I certainly don't regard that as high enough. We want to see it continuing to rise month by month and year by year."

The Transport Secretary said long-distance trains were regarded as being on time if they arrived within 10 minutes of their scheduled time, with a five-minute limit for commuter trains.

"I don't think most passengers would regard that as absolutely punctual and I think it might be that we could have a more exacting target in the future as well," he added.