There are positive signs – at last – that the return to rail is happening.

Provisional figures from the Department for Transport suggest that National Rail use on Friday 18 March was 80% of pre-pandemic levels. That’s the highest figure for two years.

A few points to note:

:: The 80% level was on a Friday indicating the changing pattern of rail travel which I mentioned in my previous post with leisure travel boosting the figures

:: The lowest point during the first lockdown in 2020 was 4% so it’s an indication of the slow journey back to normality

:: On the same day, usage by all motor vehicles was at 97% of pre-Covid levels with the figures often above 100%

:: The average National Rail use throughout the month of March has been 74% so far which suggests the progress is patchy (the numbers range from 67% to 80%)

The new high for rail travel has, not surprisingly, been welcomed by the rail industry which has suffered a dramatic drop in revenues over the last two years.

Kate Jennings, policy director at the Railway Industry Association, said the statistics were “hugely positive” for the railway industry.

She added: “To have around 80% of pre-Covid passenger levels during the middle of this month, only a matter of weeks after the end of coronavirus restrictions, shows that passengers are returning in good numbers. These statistics are especially strong over the weekends, which is a clear vote of confidence in using rail for leisure travel.

“Taking the train is a safe and sustainable way to travel, helping connect communities and driving economic growth right around the UK. We hope to see these numbers continue to rise in the months and years ahead.”

So what more can be done to entice people back to rail?

Connectivity is a key part of the passenger experience. Rail operators are working on plans to improve the WiFi experience which is often poor. I often give up on on-board WiFi and switch to 4G for a better and more stable connection.

If train companies are to fulfil their ambition to be a “mobile office”, then investment in high-speed broadband is just as important as investment in a high-speed train network. McLaren Applied are already conducting trials of 5G on trains and using some of their business agility derived from Formula One development.

Let’s hope their plans get off the grid.

The other aspect is an emotional connection.

I came across this old railway poster recently. It’s for the Great Rail Club which was an organisation for young rail enthusiasts run by British Rail from 1981 to 1991. It’s now been revived as Rail Riders.

I love the tagline “Your Passport to Adventure!”

My early experiences of train travel were associated with adventures and I still have that sense of thrill and excitement. Travelling by train should be about more than a journey from A to B.

Promoting the post-Covid rail experience needs to be about “Putting the joy back into the journey”, “Falling in love with trains again” and “An enjoyable experience”.

Keith Williams, who chaired the rail review, has also highlighted the green credentials of travelling by train.

He told a webinar organised by RAIL magazine that “rail has a lot to offer in this respect” and suggested the revival of the Mail Rail with up to 25% of mail being transported by train in future. And freight continues to outperform passenger traffic with numbers exceeding pre-Covid levels across the sector, adding to the sustainability aspects of moving goods by train.

Still a long way to go but at least the industry is moving in the right direction.

:: UPDATE (25 April) the final confirmed figure for the month of March was an average 75% National Rail use compared with pre-pandemic levels.

And the 80% level was reached again – on Easter Monday (18 April) according to provisional figures.