30.01.15
Rail journeys across Britain jump by 5% in 2013-14
Rail passenger journeys across Britain rose by 5% in the last year to 1.3 billion, new figures have revealed.
The data, published by the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR), highlighted that journeys between England and Scotland reached 7.9 million, an increase of 3.1% over the previous year.
On top of this, journeys between the network’s 11 regions – East of England, East Midlands, London, North East, North West, Scotland, South East, South West, Wales, West Midlands and Yorkshire and the Humber – increased by 3.2% to 434.8 million journeys in 2013-14.
A spokesman for the Rail Delivery Group, which represents Network Rail and train operators, said: “There is more to do to make Britain’s railway even better but new and improved services combined with good value fares are attracting more passengers to travel by train.
“Passenger numbers have almost doubled since the late 1990s contributing to a fivefold increase in money being returned by operators to government for investment in a better railway.”
The latest figures highlight that more people are using the rail network across Britain; however, this week’s National Rail Passenger Survey (NRPS) also showed that overall passenger satisfaction with the rail network has fallen to 81%.
Despite there being £38bn being invested over CP5 to improve infrastructure and services, it is vitally important that everyone in the rail industry aims to provide the best service possible for the ever-growing number of rail commuters across the country.
But, you have to admit, it is pretty impressive to see another rise in the number of passenger journeys. Let’s hope we continue to see more of this.
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