Rail passengers have praised the improved reliability of services in Oxfordshire, writes Rebecca Smith.

Figures show that Thames Trains, Chiltern Railways and First Great Western have all improved reliability and punctuality.

Chiltern, which runs services from London Marylebone to Birmingham via Haddenham and Thame Parkway, Bicester North and Banbury, was top of the local companies. A survey by the Office of Passenger Rail Franchise showed that 99.96 per cent of the company's scheduled trains ran and 95.5 per cent arrived at their destination less than five minutes late. Thames, which runs trains from London Paddington to Oxfordshire, ran 99.4 per cent of scheduled services, with 93.3 per cent arriving on time or slightly late.

First Great Western, which runs services through Didcot between London and the West Country and through Oxford to the Cotswold line, ran 99.1 per cent of its services, with 90 per cent within five minutes. Passengers at Oxford station, see left, welcomed the better service in Thames and First Great Western services.

And there was also praise for Chiltern from passengers the Oxford Mail spoke to at Bicester North. David Price, 44, of Ambrosden, near Bicester, said: "Chiltern have had one or two problems but they are getting better. I only travel once or twice a month but have only been delayed once."

Dean Hackett, 19, of London, said: "I don't usually use Chiltern but my trains have been on time."

Planning consultant Korina Cox, 27, of Bucknell Road, Bicester, said: "I do like Chiltern because their service is pretty reliable."

Story date: Wednesday 19 May

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