In the latest round of ORR passenger number figures, Grand Central has topped the table as the operator with the highest relative increase in numbers since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
The figures show, in April and June 2021, compared to the same period in 2022, passenger numbers have increased by 77.6%.
This brings the overall figure to 112% based on pre-pandemic numbers.
Grand Central operates services from London Kings Cross to Bradford Interchange and Sunderland via the East Coast Main Line.
Sean English, Chief Operating Officer for Grand Central, says: “We're thrilled to see us ahead of every other train operator in the country for more passengers choosing to travel with us compared to the start of the pandemic. We've worked incredibly hard to encourage passengers to return to travelling with Grand Central and the ORR figures prove that not only are they returning, but they are travelling with us more than they were before COVID.
“It's also fantastic to see the overall figures for the industry increasing every quarter, which shows the commitment of all of the train operators to bring customers back to the railway. Thanks to our investment in marketing campaigns and digital technology, we're sure these figures will continue to increase in the future.”
Well, I won’t be using Grand Central until they bring in Bi-mode trains. There is no place on the modern railway for long distance diesel under the wire operation. GWR have sorted it out, LNER have sorted it out, Hull Trains have sorted it out, East Midland Railway are sorting it out, Avanti West Coast are sorting it out, and Transpennine are sorting it out. It’s just Grand Central and Cross Country who are letting the side down. Both owned by the Germans via Arriva.
Yes a private company free from micro managing by the Department of Transport tops the league for returning passengers. Get civil servants away from playing trains for success in getting the people back on to trains.
I like this, Grand Central have been a favourite of mine for a while. Their trains are often in very good condition, their conductors friendly, and the ticket prices from Bradford make it more economical for me to travel from Leeds to catch the train at the Interchange!
LNER and Cross Country could learn a thing or two from now GC is run.