News

• Rail Delivery Group (RDG), on behalf of its freight operator members, is calling on government to introduce policies that will improve infrastructure and connectivity resulting in increased use of rail freight
•  Freight companies say a modal shift from roads to rail will grow the economic and environmental benefits across the UK
• Rail freight already delivers £2.45 billion of economic benefits to the UK and removes the need for 7 million lorry journeys a year

Comment following the Prime Minister's press conference in which he set out plans for the final step of the government's roadmap in England.

• Government should not cut domestic air passenger duty (APD) on flights where the journey can be made by rail in under five hours
• Cutting APD in half would see an estimated 222,000 passengers a year shift from rail to air, equivalent to over 1,000 extra flights
• Encouraging such a shift from rail to air could increase carbon emissions by an estimated 27,000 tonnes (27KtCO₂e) a year

Comment on the Enabling Framework Agreement between trades unions and rail companies, which was published earlier today.

Rail passenger journeys in Great Britain fell to the lowest levels of annual passenger usage since at least before 1872, when records started, according to official statistics from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR).

A new app available today will make it easier and quicker for disabled people to request assistance for their train journeys, helping people to travel with confidence.

Rail Delivery Group comment on behalf of train operators about rail reforms announced by government

Rail industry response to push from Campaign for Better Transport to encourage government to back public transport as we begin to emerge from the health crisis.