RIA hails new ORR and DfT figures displaying 7% extra journeys and £11.5bn in rail income development.
Credit score: Railway Trade Affiliation
Following final week’s Spending Evaluation increase for rail, the Railway Trade Affiliation (RIA) has welcomed new ORR and DfT knowledge displaying a 7% rise in rail journeys and an 8% income improve to £11.5bn from April 2024 to March 2025 in contrast with the earlier yr.
Moreover, just-published up to date statistics from the DfT present passenger numbers for Might at a report month-to-month excessive common of 104% per day in contrast with pre-pandemic ranges.
Freight development can also be optimistic, with Community Rail revealing a 5.1% development within the quantity of rail freight from April 2024 to March 2025, in comparison with the earlier yr.
Commenting, RIA Chief Government Darren Caplan mentioned: “Taken collectively, these statistics from the ORR, DfT and Community Rail all present UK rail going firmly in the best path, with important year-on-year will increase within the variety of passengers, journeys, income and freight volumes, which is encouraging in UK rail’s landmark 2 hundredth yr.
“With passenger numbers predicted to develop additional, doubtlessly doubling by 2050 and a Authorities goal to extend freight by 75% in the identical interval, the a long time forward have the potential to be vastly optimistic for UK rail.
“We and our members stay up for working with the Authorities, devolved authorities, rail purchasers and different coverage makers and influencers, to assist develop a sustainable and dynamic rail community – whether or not monitor or practice associated – and a correctly resourced and expert provide sector within the years forward. To this finish, along with the Spending Evaluation, we hope to see Infrastructure and Industrial Methods that are supportive to rail, printed within the coming days too.”
