In the last year before the pandemic (2019/20) rail companies across the country had to pay out £89m in compensation to passengers whose trains run 15 minutes or more late. Greater Anglia had to pay out £4.8m.

In the year ending in March 2023 the national figure had risen to more than £101m - but Greater Anglia's compensation bill was just £1.8m.

The reduction in compensation claims comes after Greater Anglia replaced all its trains - some of which dated back to the 1970s - with new stock.

The 2019/20 figures also include the changeover period when new trains were starting to come into service and there were reliability teething troubles.

A Greater Anglia spokesperson said: “The delay repay figures have changed due to a number of factors including an increase in performance levels following the introduction of our new trains and work with Network Rail to improve punctuality and reliability.

“Annual overall Greater Anglia performance in the 3 years to 31 March 2020 averaged around 88% - 89%.

"Annual overall Greater Anglia performance in the 3 years ending 31 March 2023 averaged between 93% and 95%.

“The higher performance levels are due to a combination of three main factors.

"Sustained joint work by Greater Anglia and Network Rail to improve performance standards; the better performance provided by the new Greater Anglia trains, which have been being phased in over the last four years and now operate all Greater Anglia services; and work by Network Rail to improve rail infrastructure reliability.

“We are pleased to be consistently delivering high levels of punctuality for our customers and stakeholders in East Anglia.

"We are committed to maintaining these very high standards of performance, to match the transformation of the journey experience brought by our new trains, with their greater comfort, better facilities, increased seating capacity and better accessibility, while providing appropriate compensation when any delays do take place.”