Bouncing back
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…
department for transport
Fridays on my mind
One of the pleasures of being a regular commuter in the past was travelling on a Friday. There were two reasons for enjoying travelling by train at the end of the traditional working week. One…
Back to work we go
The changing pattern of rail travel continues. I’ve previously noted the mid-week peak with more travellers on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays than on Mondays and Fridays. But now, it seems, the week has evened out…
Rail use halves in December
National Rail use halved in December as the “work from home” message and Christmas break led to fewer people on the trains, according to the latest statistics. Data from the Department for Transport suggest National…
All change
An industry-wide review of train timetabling is taking place with a stand-alone different timetable on Mondays one of the options being discussed. Executives are also looking at more frequent minor adjustments to timetables to meet…
Led by leisure
The headlines suggest train travel is continuing to recover from the pandemic. The detail though reveals a patchy performance. The rail industry is heralding a revival with rail journeys reaching a new high compared with…
Mixed signals
It seems appropriate on Earth Day to highlight once again the environmental benefits of public transport in general and train travel in particular. With the restrictions on travel easing, it’s been great to get out…
Light at the end of the tunnel
I’ve heard many people over the last few weeks use the phrase “light at the end of the tunnel” as lockdown eases and restrictions are lifted. But perhaps it is more true of the rail…
Fare’s fair
You can hardly travel on trains without noticing the Penalty Fare signs warning of the fines for those who try to travel without paying. All law-abiding passengers agree it’s right that people who evade their…
Changing pattern of rail travel
Every industry has been hit hard by the pandemic and every industry is working on its recovery plan: the railways are no exception. With an indication of the easing of restrictions and the beginning of…