All aboard for economic growth: Rail travel contributes over £9bn each year to independent businesses

A new report from WPI Economics, commissioned by Rail Delivery Group, found that travelling by rail contributes over £9bn each year to independent businesses and in the region of £23bn to high streets across the country. 

The overwhelming majority of people (70%) say that having a train station helps their local businesses thrive. 

Four in five passengers across the country support businesses in and around train stations and on local high streets when travelling by rail. That equates to an estimated 3.4m rail passengers shopping at local businesses each day.   

The report also found that local high streets benefit more when people travel by rail than by other modes of transport, with rail passengers in the UK spending an average of £32 in the towns and cities they depart from. 

Travelling by train also supports independent businesses: with people grabbing a coffee, getting a haircut, or purchasing a gift before they head out on their train journey, local businesses across the UK see an average of £7 spent by each rail passenger on every departure.  

As well as rail being a supporter of the local economy, local amenities are also a driver of people travelling by rail. For a third of respondents (34%), the ability to go shopping in and around the station was one of the main reasons they choose to travel by train. 

Jacqueline Starr, Chief Executive Officer of Rail Delivery Group, said: “Rail is at the heart of local economies. Up and down the country, we’re seeing networks of small and medium businesses and independent companies thriving in and around train stations.  

“For our customers, travelling by train is more than getting from A to B. It is a ticket to explore our towns and cities and support the businesses on their local high streets. If more people choose to travel by train in the future, we can only expect to see a stronger ripple effect, giving a further boost to local economies.” 

This positive impact is not only being recognised but also celebrated in the upcoming World Cup of Stations 2024, which will take place from October 14 to October 18, 2024.  

The competition will see 48 stations from across Britain compete for the title of the 'Station with the Best Local Businesses.' The competition aims to highlight the diverse range of businesses found within train stations, from delis to doughnut shops and florists to farm shops, all of which play a crucial role in supporting their local communities. 

Support your local station and the businesses that rely on rail travel by voting in the World Cup of Stations 2024. Voting takes place online at raildeliverygroup.com/WorldCupOfStations.