It is disappointing that commuters are, according to a new report, experiencing a ‘poor’ performance by Northern Rail in terms of overcrowding on its trains.

A report by transport authority Metro criticises rail operator Northern Rail for its efforts to reduce overcrowding on peak time trains. It also highlights other issues including train shortages, a decline in the quality of services at stations and maintenance problems.

There are obviously times when delays are unavoidable, with weather issues, cable thefts and accidents among possible reasons for delays. But failure to provide extra capacity to cope with what one commuter has described as ‘chronic overcrowding’, particularly on the back of the recent fare increase, is not so forgivable.

At a time when efforts are supposedly being made to get more cars off our roads, we all should be doing everything possible to encourage the use of public transport.

For rail operators, this has to mean not exploiting the captive market that is commuters travelling to work every day and providing them with a service of a standard they are entitled to expect.

Bradford and the rest of West Yorkshire has a relatively good reputation for its public transport. But the pictures sent in by one commuter showing the extent of overcrowding on some morning services may tarnish that.

If the quality of service being given to rail users is starting to slip, action has to be taken to sort that out immediately.

Passengers, many of whom commit to season tickets, deserve a better service for their money.