25.07.19
Massive 29% rise in rail over last decade uncovered by survey
Rail has been described as ‘a runaway success story’ in an influential national transport survey which examines trends over the past decade.
Fewer commutes per person, reduced car use in major urban centres and rapidly falling bus patronage – these were some of the transport trends in the UK’s biggest cities and city regions, as identified in the Urban Transport Group’s latest data report.
The report – Number crunch 2019: Urban transport trends in changing times – drew on local city region data, as well as national statistics, and examined the last decade and the most recent data.
Regional rail, including most local services in the Metropolitan areas, has seen soaring patronage, hitting 389 million in 2017/18 - a huge increase of 29% since 2008/09.
The survey uncovered a decline in the traditional, daily commute as working patterns and practices have changed. On average, people made 14 fewer commutes a year in 2017 than they did in 2008.
Stephen Edwards, Chair of the Urban Transport Group and Executive Director at South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, said: “We are living in rapidly changing times, and our travel habits in cities are changing at pace too. From a runaway success for rail services to more blues for the bus, this report reveals the transport trends that are shaping the way we travel in urban areas.
“The report is not just about celebrating winners or commiserating losers - in these changing times, the case for coordinated and integrated transport planning at the city region level and for long term funding is stronger than ever.
“We hope the latest report - and our Data Hub upon which it is based - will arm policy makers with the numbers needed to ensure transport plays its role in creating greener, fairer, healthier and more prosperous city regions.”
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