Busy rail station

UK rail sector records post-pandemic heights in passenger numbers

The UK has seen strong economic recovery in recent months post-pandemic, with industries across the nation returning to near regular levels of pre-pandemic traffic. The British rail sector has shown a steady return in passenger influx, despite the ongoing RMT action that has been disrupting the regular operations across stations throughout the nation.

This week, the Department for Transport (DfT) has published its figures from a recent study analysing rail passenger numbers, highlighting the aforementioned industry growth where national rail passenger numbers have reached a new post-pandemic milestone. Throughout the seven days stretch between Saturday 6th August to Friday 12th August, 93-95% of pre-Covid passenger levels were hit every single day of the week.

Darren Caplan, Chief Executive of the Railway Industry Association, said:

“Given all the industrial action of recent weeks, and that the month of August is the traditional summer season when many go on holiday, it is astonishing that we are now getting 95% of pre-Covid passenger levels reached on the national rail network, and in a week where over 93% was recorded every single day of the week. This welcome milestone has been hit less than six months since pandemic restrictions started being relaxed and is a clear vote of confidence in UK rail.

“One must assume it is only a matter of time before we are back to 100% of pre-Covid levels. Given this, RIA and our members once again urge the Treasury and policymakers and influencers not to base 30-year programmes and forecasts for the future of rail on the abnormal period of the pandemic, but instead to plan increased investment for the growth in capacity we are going to need in the years ahead.”

Want to know more about the opportunities to become a key supplier to the UK rail industry? Attend TransCityRail and access an exclusive marketplace of buyers from Network Rail, HS2, Train Operators, Major Contractors, and all other tiers of the supply chain. For more information and to secure your place click here

RTM OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023

RTM OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023

Putting Passengers First

This issue highlights the latest topics within the rail industry, from decarbonising the Midlands, improving rail safety, meeting the future priorities of Scotland's Railway & more!                                                      

Videos...

View all videos
TransCityRail Banner

TransCityRail

South \ 28 09 23
North \ 09 11 23
Mids \ 29 02 24

TransCityRail is a series of regional, interactive and insightful events across the country bringing together leaders, collaborators, problem solvers and innovators in a creative and invigorating way.
 

This series of events supports and informs the whole of the rail industry and connects suppliers with buyers, specifiers, leaders and decision-makers looking to procure a wide variety of innovative products and services for their region.

09/11/23

TransCityRail North

The North of England is home to almost a quarter of the UK’s entire population, so it’s no surprise that continued investment across the regions railway is a priority for Transport for the North, Network Rail, HS2, Operators and Major Contractors.

For over a decade the TransCityRail NORTH conference, exhibition and networking dinner has been uniting the leaders of industry responsible for building shaping and delivering rail infrastructure investment across the region for a day of collaboration, conversation and engagement.

This year we have another star studied line-up of keynote speakers and panel discussions on strategic rail investment for the region, Transpennine Route Upgrade and Northern Powerhouse Rail revealing £billions in opportunity for the supply chain.

More articles...

View all