18.03.13
Rail boosts city growth – ATOC
Despite the recession, 14 cities have recorded double-digit growth in the number of rail journeys over the last five years, ATOC figures show.
The ten cities that have seen the highest growth between 2008 and 2012 are outside the south east, with Coventry seeing the biggest jump in both business and leisure journeys; up 48% and 30% respectively.
Milton Keynes saw leisure journeys increase by 28%, and business journeys up 37%, while the number of commuters travelling in and out of Plymouth has increased by 38%.
Cheap advance fares and railcard discounts have also meant that the average price paid per journey has fallen from £5.19 to £4.95 in real terms, ATOC said.
Michael Roberts, chief executive of ATOC said: “When Britain has recorded little or no economic growth, rail has been helping our great cities by connecting people with jobs, services and leisure opportunities.
“The last time train travel was this popular was almost 90 years ago when the rail network was around twice the size. Significant investment and an industry focused on attracting more passengers have turned around decades of decline to deliver better stations, more trains and faster services.”
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