Network Rail, whose top bosses were awarded six-figure bonuses last week, has been criticised by rail regulators for its performance on the line.

Official figures today showed that passenger satisfaction levels for punctuality and reliability for Virgin Trains - the main user of the West Coast line - had fallen 6% to 79% in the period spring 2008 to spring 2009.

And the punctuality and reliability satisfaction level for passengers on the services of London Midland, which also operates on the West Coast line, fell 8% to 70%.

"Virgin Trains and London Midland passengers are fed up with not being able to rely on the timekeeping of their services, the key thing passengers want," said Anthony Smith, chief executive of rail customer watchdog Passenger Focus.

He went on: "Network Rail and these train companies must stay focused on restoring their passengers' trust in the timetable."

The lowest ratings for overall satisfaction were given to London Overground (75%), National Express East Anglia (76%), First Capital Connect (76%), Southeastern (76%) and London Midland (78%).

The highest ratings for overall satisfaction were achieved by Heathrow Express (92%), c2c (91%), Merseyrail (91%), Chiltern Railways (90%) and Heathrow Connect (90%);