Tracking drop in passengers

Today we reveal that footfall in Sunderland’s railway station has dropped drastically.

Estimated figures for the year 2017-18 to the end of March show a fall from 483,836 customers 12 months previously to 447,702.

The Office for Rail and Road statistics cover ticketed journeys made to and from Sunderland via Northern, Grand Central, Metro and the former Virgin Trains East Coast services.

The station’s owner Northern points out the fall was a result of the long-running industrial dispute between the rail operator and the Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union.

Union fears that the potential removal of a second member of staff will hinder both passenger and employee safety have led to repeated strikes and emergency timetables.

December 15 was the 17th consecutive Saturday in which Northern operated a reduced service.

However, our readers were quick to get in touch with us to stress that the dilapidated state of the city’s railway station is hardly a magnet for customers.

Many of you called for a range of improvements to the existing building, including repairs to the roof, new toilets and the addition of more cafes and bars in the nearby area.

Others argued that the building should be “bulldozed” in favour of a new site, where a state-of-the-art station could be built.

Northern has promised more services for the North East, refurbishment of trains and improvements at stations.

Let’s hope so, it’s in all our interests to have better transport links to the city and improved facilities in which to use them.