Metro meets punctuality, service delivery targets for December 2010

Metro has exceeded its punctuality and service delivery performance targets for December, marking the 13th month in a row it has exceeded its service delivery target and the second time the punctuality target has been achieved.

The train operator ran 98.9 per cent of services and achieved an 88.3 per cent punctuality result for the month of December.

Metro CEO Andrew Lezala said December's results demonstrated an ongoing consistency in improved performance.

"This is our second best punctuality result to date and we're continuing to see improved performance based on the work we've done," Mr Lezala said.

Mr Lezala said recent maintenance works focused on preparing the network for summer.

"We're currently undergoing a full check of trains and infrastructure so as to be summer ready," Mr Lezala said.

"We've examined the overhead wiring across the network, we're strengthening the tracks to avoid potential buckling, we're replacing wooden sleepers with concrete ones and we're reconditioning the air conditioning units so they can handle temperatures above 35 degrees.

"And we're ready to deploy maintenance and customer service staff at key locations across the network in case of any disruptions."

State Government figures also show patronage is on the rise with train patronage up almost 4 per cent to 222.3 million trips a year to September last year.

The number of trips represents the highest year-to-date patronage result in history.

Mr Lezala said the latest patronage figures indicated a great opportunity for Metro to grow the railway but he also acknowledged the challenges that lie ahead.

"We'll continue to build this railway, to make it a proud railway for everyone, everyday," he said.

"We did a lot of work last year to put in long-term solutions and while we realise there's more work to be done, we're now seeing the results of the effort we've made to date."