Skip to main content

Growing passenger numbers, fare rises for UK rail

According to Rail Travel, a new market report from business intelligence provider Key Note, in 2013/2014 the total value of passenger receipts for UK rail travel increased by 6.2 per cent year-on-year, and grew by 32.5 per cent over a five-year period. In addition, passenger journeys grew by 23.5 per cent over the five-year review period, with passenger kilometres travelled also growing by 17.9 per cent over the same timeframe. For the purpose of this report, the rail industry in the UK has been split in
December 16, 2014 Read time: 3 mins
According to Rail Travel, a new market report from business intelligence provider Key Note, in 2013/2014 the total value of passenger receipts for UK rail travel increased by 6.2 per cent year-on-year, and grew by 32.5 per cent over a five-year period. In addition, passenger journeys grew by 23.5 per cent over the five-year review period, with passenger kilometres travelled also growing by 17.9 per cent over the same timeframe.

For the purpose of this report, the rail industry in the UK has been split into four distinct sectors. Firstly, National Rail, which represents the largest share of the industry in terms of passenger receipts. Secondly, urban rail services, which include underground systems such as those in London and Glasgow, in addition to other metro, light rail and tram operators. Thirdly, Northern Ireland Railway services, which are analysed separately to National Rail services in Great Britain. Finally, international rail services, which consist of the shuttle service provided by Eurotunnel that operates between Folkstone and Calais, in addition to the Eurostar passenger service.

The UK Government plays a vital role in the country’s rail sector, and continues to considerably support the industry, spending over US$7.8 billion in 2013/2014 subsidising rail travel.

This figure is an increase of 13.1 per cent on the level seen in 2009/2010. In addition, in March 2014, the Government outlined a five-year investment strategy for the sector worth an estimated US$59.7 billion. This comes alongside commitments to improve upon the UK’s high-speed rail services (HS2 and HS3), which will represent substantial investment in the UK rail industry. The Government also impacts upon the sector by regulating rail fares, which continue to rise above the rate of inflation, thereby facilitating a steady increase in overall passenger receipts.

Other trends evaluated in this report include the consumer price indices for rail travel fares, in addition to a comparison of rail against alternative modes of transport. The report analyses national rail infrastructure, including such factors as overall track length, the number of stations and the age of rolling stock. For exclusive use in this report, Key Note commissioned a survey of 1,000 people in Great Britain to evaluate consumers’ rail travel patterns, including the reasons for rail travel and the frequency of using rail services for various outings.

Looking ahead, Key Note estimates that the total value of rail receipts in the UK will grow by 25.3 per cent over the five-year period between 2014/2015 and 2018/2019. Key Note further forecasts that the number of passenger journeys on rail services in the UK will also grow robustly in the coming years, as will the overall number of passenger kilometres travelled via rail.

Related Content

  • Analysis reveals increase in UK government infrastructure and construction pipeline
    December 9, 2016
    Analysis by KPMG has revealed a US$49 billion (£38.9 billion) jump in the value of the UK Government infrastructure and construction pipeline since March 2016. It also revealed that 60 per cent of the US$633.8 billion (£502.3 billion) in pipeline value is predicted to be spent by 2020. The report, National Infrastructure and Construction Pipeline – KPMG Analysis, reflects a total allocated value of US$633.8 billion (£502.3 billion), from US$584.6 billion (£463.4 billion) in March 2016. It highlights t
  • Carbon finance delivers critical support to mass transit schemes
    February 2, 2012
    David Crawford investigates carbon finance in transport. World Bank carbon finance grants are delivering critical support to major mass transit deployments in emerging and developing economies. Only recently operative in the transport sector, the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM, see panel) is designed to generate additional income streams and improve internal rates of return on projects funded from public- and private-sector sources.
  • Meeting the challenges of smartcard fare payment
    July 4, 2012
    David Crawford monitors a growing trend in contactless smartcard ticketing The north east United States has become a hive of activity in the smart fare payment arena. In October 2011, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) published, as a preliminary to an imminent procurement process, the detailed concept of its New Fare Payment System (NFPS). Based on open payment industry standards, this is designed to be implemented on all MTA bus and subway services operated by New York City Transit (
  • Report: Priority funding for rail projects drives investments in Turkey
    January 22, 2015
    Turkish railways have undergone a complete overhaul due to significant investments over the last five years. In the majority of rail projects currently under way, investment is directed towards the construction of new high-speed rail (HSR) lines, electrification, extensions and upgrading of existing infrastructure. With u$18 billion allocated for the rail sector as part of the Turkey Vision 2023 plan, the country is expected to have a total conventional rail network length of 25,940 kilometres and a HSR net