Railway industry welcomes 80% milestone on passenger numbers

The Railway Industry Association (RIA), the voice of the UK rail supply community, has responded to the Department for Transport's (DfT) latest statistics on rail travel in Great Britain. RIA welcomed the fact that on 18 March 2022 national rail passengers reached 80% of pre-pandemic levels - the highest since 15 March 2020 - with figures remaining around that level during the fortnight from 7 March.

Kate Jennings, Policy Director at the Railway Industry Association (RIA), said:

"Today’s statistics are hugely positive for the railway industry. To have around 80% of pre-covid passenger levels during the middle of this month, only a matter of weeks after the end of Coronavirus restrictions, shows that passengers are returning in good numbers. These statistics are especially strong over the weekends, which is a clear vote of confidence in using rail for leisure travel.

“Taking the train is a safe and sustainable way to travel, helping connect communities and driving economic growth right around the UK. We hope to see these numbers continue to rise in the months and years ahead." 

1. See the DfT's latest statistics here. (DfT notes: 'The latest days data would be an underestimate of the final result as the raw data matures.')
2. About RIA: The Railway Industry Association (RIA) is the voice of the UK rail supply community. We help to grow a sustainable, high-performing, railway supply industry, and to export UK rail expertise and products. RIA has 300+ companies in membership in a sector that contributes £43 billion in economic growth and £14 billion in tax revenue each year, as well as employing 710,000 people. It is also a vital industry for the UK’s economic recovery, supporting green investment and jobs in towns and communities across the UK; for every £1 spent in rail, £2.50 is generated in the wider economy. RIA’s membership is active across the whole of railway supply, covering a diverse range of products and services and including both multi-national companies and SMEs (60% by number). www.riagb.org.uk