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

  • Developments in travel information display systems
    August 1, 2012
    David Crawford looks at recent developments in travel information display systems. It is important to remember that we are investing in Real-Time Passenger Information [RTPI] to increase ridership," says Robert Burke, Managing Director of New Zealand transit tracking technology specialist Connexionz, which has been involved in at-stop and remote passenger information since 1995. "Superior information improves the perception of public transport reliability and gives the passenger more choices and greater con
  • IntelliDrive, connectivity, safety, mobility and the environment?
    January 30, 2012
    Shelley Row, Director of the ITS Joint Program Office, US Department of Transportation, details the new five-year ITS Strategic Research Plan. Imagine a world where vehicles of all types can talk to each other in order to reduce or eliminate crashes, where vehicles can talk to traffic signals to eliminate unnecessary stops, where travellers can get accurate travel time information about all modes and route options, and where transportation managers have data which allows them to accurately assess multimodal
  • Government invests in northern digital railway plans to improve trans-Pennine
    September 25, 2017
    The UK government is developing plans for Britain’s first digital intercity railway in the north, as it invests US$17.5 billion (£13 billion) in improving journeys across the region. The UK government is developing plans for Britain’s first digital intercity railway in the north, as it invests US$17.5 billion (£13 billion) in improving journeys across the region.
  • South America invests in transportation
    February 11, 2014
    The governments of Brazil and Chile have announced major investments in urban transport. In Brazil, the federal government, in partnership with state and municipal governments is to invest US$59.54 in urban mobility. The total investment will cover 3,500 kilometres of transport, including metros, trains, and bus lanes, together with rail transport for the construction of metros in nine cities, marked as a priority due to their high capacity, speed and security. Further investment is to be made in work o