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New Jersey Transit trains set a record for on-time performance in 2012, a direct result of the agency's "Scorecard" initiative, agency officials announced yesterday.

The initiative was launched in 2011 as part of Gov. Chris Christie's push for increased accountability and transparency in state government and agencies. It uses performance standards, metrics and customer input to drive key decisions and strategy, NJ Transit officials said in a prepared statement.

Using Scorecard as its guide, NJ Transit's rail division made "tremendous improvements" that culminated in record on-time performance of 96.4 percent last year, breaking the previous record of 96.2 percent set in 1995.

Rail service also set or tied several monthly on-time performance records in 2012 by using metrics to identify trends in equipment maintenance and state-of-good-repair infrastructure projects. Customer-service surveys and feedback from riders who attended the agency's "We are Listening" forums also helped drive improvements, officials said.

The on-time performance record is a highlight for the agency, which this year marks its 30th anniversary of rail service.