UK Rail: Statistics, Analysis and Comment
Insight Articles: Our Blog
A series of articles analysing and commenting on the passenger transport scene.
Report warns government on bus reform
"It's all about money," says editorial
A report on the future of the bus industry has warned the government that new legislation alone will not improve outcomes without the funding to go with it. The new report, Britain's Buses in a New Era, examines the industry's future prospects in the context of the changes that have taken place since 2010.
- By: Chris Cheek
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New bus industry report published
Cost estimates for service increases and fleet decarbonisation
This week sees the publication of our latest report on the British bus industry, entitled Britain’s Buses in a New Era: The Opportunities and Threats Ahead. This 100-page report focuses on the future of the industry following the change of government in July 2024, setting it in the context of the changes that have taken place since the last Labour government left office in 2010.
- By: Chris Cheek
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Rail patronage has a spring in its step
InterCity and Regional Franchises drive growth, but revenue yields remain depressed
Demand growth in the British rail industry continued in the spring quarter, though the pace of recovery slowed again: non Elizabeth Line passenger numbers were 5.9 per cent higher than the same quarter in 2023, reaching a new post lockdown high. Including traffic on the recently opened line, growth was 7.1 per cent.
- By: Chris Cheek
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Rail demand growth slows over the winter
Booming markets on London concessions flatter national totals
The recovery in demand for rail services in Britain from the Covid pandemic continued into the winter quarter this year, but at the slowest pace since the end of the pandemic. Overall, demand rose to 91.9% of pre-Covid levels, according to National Rail Trends statistics, published by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR). However, without the Elizabeth Line, the recovery is limited to 81.9%.
- By: Chris Cheek
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Big shifts in London bus use - NTS
Shifts in journey purpose and demographics reinforce radical market change
The latest update to the National Travel Survey from DfT, about which I wrote recently (see National Travel Survey Update), also contains fascinating information about how much bus use in London has changed since the Covid-19 pandemic (see NTS update confirms major shifts in London bus trips).
- By: Chris Cheek
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National Travel Survey Update
New data confirms huge changes in public transport use since the pandemic
The Department for Transport (DfT) has published new data from its National Travel Survey*, combining data from the last six months of the 2022 survey with the first six of 2023. The limited number of tables predates publication of the full 2023 data later in the year. The figures point to a continuing recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, but the detail tables show how much things have changed since 2019.
- By: Chris Cheek
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