UK Rail: Statistics, Analysis and Comment
Insight Articles: Our Blog
A series of articles analysing and commenting on the passenger transport scene.
The future of GB Rail: a new golden age or an underfunded disaster?
We review the prospects in the light of the latest market statistics
When the Office of Road and Rail published the latest quarterly rail statistics in December 2024, it must have felt like an early Christmas present for the industry: a 9% increase in passenger journeys during the June-September quarter, meaning that 36 million more passenger journeys were made in the 12 weeks than in 2023. Nationally, the total moved to within 99.3% of the pre-Covid total for the quarter.
- By: Chris Cheek
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Public spending boosts English bus revenue
State funds just short of 50% of total income in 2023/24
Public spending on bus services and their passengers accounted for 49.8% of the industry’s income in 2023/24, according to our new analysis of figures published by the Department for Transport (DfT) and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).
- By: Chris Cheek
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A desire to explain
The plain man's guide to the bus industry
Chris Cheek writes about his best-selling book on the bus industry and his desire to explain how it works. It's especially useful for people who are new to the business and want to gain a better understanding of the industry.
- By: Chris Cheek
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Rail subsidies top £12bn again despite 13% revenue growth in 2023/24
TOCs get £4.1 bn and Network Rail £8.4 bn as bill falls less than 1%
Government support for the rail industry at constant prices fell by less than one per cent during 2023/24 and stayed above £12 billion, according to figures published recently by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR).
- By: Chris Cheek
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Passenger rail subsidies stay above £4bn
Revenue grows 13% but costs rise by more than inflation
The passenger rail industry’s finances continued to improve in 2023/24, according to figures published by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR). However, there was still a deficit on the passenger business requiring taxpayer support of £4.1 billion.
- By: Chris Cheek
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DfT stats show slowdown in new vehicles
ZEBs reach 8.3% but average fleet age increases
New figures released by the Department for Transport (DfT) as part of the Annual Bus Statistics show a slump in the delivery of new vehicles during 2023/24, as the average fleet age increased again. The statistics, based on operator returns, show that just 1.35% of the fleets were delivered during the year - representing 467 buses of various sizes. This compares with 1,582 in 2022/23 and an average of 2,500 plus between 2012 and 2018. As a consequence, the average fleet age stayed above 11 years and edged up once more.
- By: Chris Cheek
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