SCOTLAND'S main line train services to and from London are to be given lower punctuality targets over the next five years than every other route in the UK.
It comes despite both the east coast and west coast routes enduring a reputation for poor punctuality due to late arriving services.
Last night passenger groups said the move sent out the wrong message to passengers who rely on the country's key rail arteries.
Network Rail, the body responsible for maintaining tracks, signalling and other rail infrastructure, is to be told it must aim to ensure that at least 88% of the long-distance services arrive on time by 2019 compared to 90% on other routes.
The target, set by the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) will come into force from March next year. However, long-distance services are considered to be punctual even if they arrive up to ten minutes after their timetabled arrival time.
Stephen Joseph, chief executive of the Campaign for Better Transport, said: "Passengers have seen ticket prices rise significantly in the last decade. The very least they deserve is for the trains to be on time. If punctuality targets are lowered, many passengers will question if they are getting value for their money."
Every other route in the UK must achieve a minimum of 90% of trains reaching their destinations on schedule, with average punctuality of at least 92.5%.
The changes do not impact on ScotRail services. Their punctuality and reliability targets are set by the Scottish Government agency, Transport Scotland.
The Herald understands that the decision to lower the targets for the west coast service from Glasgow to London Euston and East Coast's Edinburgh to King's Cross service was made following talks between the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR), Network Rail and the operators.
The ORR said in July that the 90% and 92.5% figures would apply to across all routes.
However, Network Rail said the target would be "inappropriate for franchised long-distance operators".
The 88% figure will be announced on October 31 when the ORR, the independent regulator, publishes its final determination on National Rail output and funding requirements for the new five-year term of 2014 to 2019.
Failure to meet existing punctuality targets for the long-distance sector in the current 2009-14 term could see Network Rail hit with a fine of around £40m. It was supposed to achieve an average 92% punctuality by 2014, but is currently running at 89.2%.
John McCormick, chairman of the Scottish Association for Public Transport, said more should be done to correct the underlying causes of train disruption.
Mr McCormick said: "There's no point in having targets if there's no way of fixing what's causing the delays. Around half are caused by signalling faults, and wires on the East Coast line are always falling down because they were put in on the cheap in the 1990s. We would be very keen on the punctuality targets as long as they were achievable."
Transport Scotland said they were awaiting the publication of the final determination report.
A spokeswoman said: "We expect the ORR to use this opportunity to protect the interests of passengers and ensure public money is spent effectively."
An ORR spokesman said: "ORR is currently finalising plans for Britain's railways between 2014 and 2019. These plans will include extra funding to support better performance with tough new targets so that Network Rail delivers what matters for passengers - safe, reliable services across the network and fewer bad days."
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