News

New figures show fewer people are travelling by train following the emergence of the Omicron coronavirus variant.

Earlier today, the Department for Transport published the Integrated Rail Plan for the North and Midlands.

• The rail industry is encouraging jobseekers across Britain to boost their job searches by applying for the free Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card
• Take-up has dropped by over a third since the start of the pandemic
• Over 62% of journeys using the card are taken in London and the South East – suggesting the rest of the country is missing out
• With job vacancies hitting a record high of 1.17m, the jobs market is showing rapid signs of recovery, with employment on the rise and thousands of opportunities opening up across the country meaning millions more could benefit from rail savings

• Ahead of a market engagement exercise today and as government looks to repair public sector finances, transport operators are wary that blunting private sector input could see taxpayers footing ‘significantly more’ of the bill to fund the railway
• While welcoming the set-up of GBR, operators warn against imposing a contractual straitjacket that could stifle innovation for passengers and slow down Britain’s recovery
• Rail companies ask for the ability to flexibly respond to the needs of passengers and have greater freedom to encourage people back to train travel

Delegates attending COP26 and passengers travelling through Glasgow Central railway station will be welcomed by a campaign highlighting rail’s green credentials. 

• Analysis of rail industry journey figures show a 26% increase in train journeys since the end of the summer holidays, with leisure journeys at around 90% of pre-pandemic levels
• A slower increase in commuter journeys, currently at 45% of pre-pandemic levels, is putting the recovery of city centre businesses at risk
• Overall, since the start of September, leisure journeys now account for 55% of all train journeys compared to 33% pre-pandemic.

Rail Delivery Group reaction to the Budget and Spending Review.

• Commuters into London are slower to get back to the office, with only 41% of pre-pandemic train commuters returning, compared to 54% outside the capital
• New analysis shows this shortfall means London’s leisure sector would lose out on an estimated £2.3bn of train passenger spending per year on things like food and drink, shopping and entertainment
• Encouraging people back onto trains for their commute is vital to help avoid shut up shops, restaurants and bars on London high streets

• New research shows how building a net zero railway could support 6,000 green jobs lasting to 2050, generate £4.4 billion of economic benefits and catalyse the growth of emerging hydrogen and battery industries                                                                                    
• Building a net zero railway will support the levelling up agenda with over 90% of jobs created outside London and the South East and over half high-skilled 
• Rail industry says commitment by government to funding a long-term programme to build the infrastructure and technology that will make trains net-zero would help unlock these benefits