Railways: Training
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the quarterly milestones are for completing the automatic train operation training programme by December 2026; and what specific performance metrics will be used to assess its impact on punctuality and delay recovery during service disruptions.
Answered by Keir Mather
Automatic Train Operation (ATO) driver training on Thameslink has increased from around 70 per cent at the start of 2026 to approximately 80 per cent by the end of May, which will mean 82–84 per cent coverage expected by July.
Greater Thameslink Railway’s stated ambition is to achieve full coverage by December 2026, while maintaining sufficient traincrew availability to deliver a reliable service.
Performance continues to be assessed using established metrics. ATO’s specific impact on punctuality and delay recovery is difficult to quantify but its use will support more consistent operation and time recovery and that will be seen in better performance figures.
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