The big (secret) passenger comeback
You’ve probably noticed it yourself, but something amazing is happening across the railway network. Passengers are coming back to the railway in ever greater numbers. For those who have been unable to find a seat and crammed into vestibules (sometimes even in First Class), it feels like the old days already.
The evidence isn’t just anecdotal. The latest official data from the Office for Road and Rail is just out (see p10) and guess what? Passenger numbers are up for yet another quarter – our graph shows the direction of travel (if you’ll pardon the pun) very clearly.
ORR figures (like many official statistics) are always slightly historic, so it will be a while before we know what the numbers are for the first three months of 2022. But, although the Omicron scare at the beginning of the year, with resulting temporary timetable cutbacks, might have briefly subdued demand we’re confident that, in total, numbers will continue to rise.
What we find odd is that what is clearly happening on the ground isn’t being reflected in Department for Transport and TOC forecasts for future passenger growth, which we suggest are unduly pessimistic. Although the pandemic has likely fundamentally changed travel patterns, we are convinced that, thanks to modal shift, rail’s overall share will soon reach and then surpass pre-Covid levels. Why do those in charge of planning future services not see what we do?
MODERN RAILWAYANA UP FOR GRABS
The prices paid recently for ‘Super Voyager’ and ‘Pendolino’ nameplates at auction show there is real demand for retired artefacts from the modern railway. So, we are delighted to have teamed up with our pals at Eastern Rail Services, who have generously donated an iconic roundel from an ex-EPS Mk.3 generator van for us to auction for charity. This is a great opportunity to own a special piece of railway history. See p12 for how to bid. And Good Luck!
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