Railway industry welcomes 80 per cent milestone on passenger numbers

Credit: RIA

The Railway Industry Association (RIA) has responded to the Department for Transport’s (DfT) latest statistics on rail travel in Great Britain. RIA welcomed the fact that national rail passengers reached 80 per cent of pre-pandemic levels on 18 March 2022, the highest since 15 March 2020, with figures remaining around that level during the fortnight from 7 March.

“These statistics are hugely positive for the railway industry,” Kate Jennings, Policy Director at the RIA, said. “To have around 80 per cent of pre-covid passenger levels during the middle of this month, only a matter of weeks after the end of Coronavirus restrictions, shows that passengers are returning in good numbers. These statistics are especially strong over the weekends, which is a clear vote of confidence in using rail for leisure travel. Taking the train is a safe and sustainable way to travel, helping connect communities and driving economic growth right around the UK. We hope to see these numbers continue to rise in the months and years ahead.”

The RIA is considered the voice of the UK rail supply community. They help to grow a sustainable, high-performing, railway supply industry, and to export UK rail expertise and products. RIA has 300+ companies in membership in a sector that contributes £43 billion in economic growth and £14 billion in tax revenue each year, as well as employing 710,000 people.