Britain's railways used by record numbers of people in 2007
10th April 2008
ATOC
The use of Britain’s railways, as measured by passenger miles, is now at the highest level ever recorded in peace time, according to figures published today by the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) in “The Billion Passenger Railway”. 30.1 billion passenger miles were generated in 2007 and the railway carried 1.213 billion passengers - an increase of 7.8 per cent compared to the 1.125 billion passenger journeys made in 2006.
George Muir, Director General of the Association of Train Operating Companies said:
“The railway brings people together and, as measured by passenger miles, 2007 was a record year.”
“This figure is higher than in 1946, the next highest year. For almost 80 years, from 1919 to 1995, rail travel stayed around 20 billion passenger miles each year; then twelve years ago something fundamental changed and the figure is now 30 billion and climbing. ”
“This growth shows that more train capacity is urgently needed for our passengers, for the economy and for a green Britain.”
The use of the railway was so high in 1946 because Britain was demobilising and returning to civilian life after six years of war. The railways then carried 29 billion passenger miles on a network one third bigger than today’s. (See link to graphic illustrating the strong growth trend).
George Muir added: “2007 was a very successful year for the railway, which was capped by the opening of High Speed 1 to St Pancras International. People are increasingly turning to rail; not only is it a faster and more convenient way of travelling, it is greener than travelling on our congested roads and domestic air routes.”
“Working closely with the Government and our industry partners, train operators are planning for the future when they will carry even more people. For example, work has started on the crucial Thameslink programme which will see more capacity into London from both north and south of London, and the Crossrail Bill, currently before Parliament, will provide much needed capacity on the East-West axis into London.”
“The Billion Passenger Railway”, published by ATOC today, looks at the future and predicts that trains will be considerably lighter than today’s, reducing energy use per passenger and allowing faster acceleration and braking. Improved signalling will allow more trains to run closer together thereby increasing capacity, particularly on high density passenger routes, and growing the railway even further. High speed rail will help to reduce dependence on aviation for short haul journeys bringing Britain’s regions closer together in a greener reliable way.
For further information, please contact: ATOC Press Office on 020 7841 8020
Background Information:
For years before 1947, data has been difficult to source, but with the help of Transport Historian, Tim Leunig, ATOC has generated good information dating back to 1840. The data is drawn from the Leunig Journal of Economic History 2006, Mitchell’s British Historical Statistics 1988 and Munby’s Inland Transport Statistics 1978.
Notes to Editors:
In 2007, there were 1.213 billion passenger journeys on the railway. Since 1995/6, Britain has had the fastest growing railway in Europe.
George Muir, Director General of the Association of Train Operating Companies said:
“The railway brings people together and, as measured by passenger miles, 2007 was a record year.”
“This figure is higher than in 1946, the next highest year. For almost 80 years, from 1919 to 1995, rail travel stayed around 20 billion passenger miles each year; then twelve years ago something fundamental changed and the figure is now 30 billion and climbing. ”
“This growth shows that more train capacity is urgently needed for our passengers, for the economy and for a green Britain.”
The use of the railway was so high in 1946 because Britain was demobilising and returning to civilian life after six years of war. The railways then carried 29 billion passenger miles on a network one third bigger than today’s. (See link to graphic illustrating the strong growth trend).
George Muir added: “2007 was a very successful year for the railway, which was capped by the opening of High Speed 1 to St Pancras International. People are increasingly turning to rail; not only is it a faster and more convenient way of travelling, it is greener than travelling on our congested roads and domestic air routes.”
“Working closely with the Government and our industry partners, train operators are planning for the future when they will carry even more people. For example, work has started on the crucial Thameslink programme which will see more capacity into London from both north and south of London, and the Crossrail Bill, currently before Parliament, will provide much needed capacity on the East-West axis into London.”
“The Billion Passenger Railway”, published by ATOC today, looks at the future and predicts that trains will be considerably lighter than today’s, reducing energy use per passenger and allowing faster acceleration and braking. Improved signalling will allow more trains to run closer together thereby increasing capacity, particularly on high density passenger routes, and growing the railway even further. High speed rail will help to reduce dependence on aviation for short haul journeys bringing Britain’s regions closer together in a greener reliable way.
For further information, please contact: ATOC Press Office on 020 7841 8020
Background Information:
For years before 1947, data has been difficult to source, but with the help of Transport Historian, Tim Leunig, ATOC has generated good information dating back to 1840. The data is drawn from the Leunig Journal of Economic History 2006, Mitchell’s British Historical Statistics 1988 and Munby’s Inland Transport Statistics 1978.
Notes to Editors:
In 2007, there were 1.213 billion passenger journeys on the railway. Since 1995/6, Britain has had the fastest growing railway in Europe.
