RIA: future “can be bright” as passenger numbers rise

The Railway Industry Association has hailed increasing passenger numbers, describing figures reaching 90% of pre-pandemic numbers as a “milestone”.

It follows the release of Department for Transport statistics showing that the figure was reached on May 19. Passenger numbers have been climbing both on weekdays and at weekends, approaching the highest levels since March 2020.

RIA Chief Executive Darren Caplan said that on May 16-22, “every day of the week saw passenger figures hitting between 86% and 92% of pre-COVID levels, less than three months since pandemic restrictions started being relaxed”.

He added that RIA continues to ask Government and the new Great British Railways not to base the 30-year strategy on the last two years, adding; “If the industry and decision-makers work closely together to continue attracting passengers back, the future for rail really can be bright in the years ahead.”