The Department for Transport (DfT) this week published a report showing that the most popular reason for passengers to travel by train is for leisure.

The Department investigated passenger travel patterns in order to gain insight into how passengers use the railway.

It believes that this information will help the railway to deliver services that meet passengers’ needs, especially in light of the reorganisation of the railway as train operations are brought into public ownership.

The report revealed that:

• 54% of respondents were travelling for leisure
• 30% of respondents were commuting for work or education
• 15% of respondents were travelling for business
• 61% of respondents travelled by rail for leisure at least once a month
• 41% used the railway for commuting at least once a week; Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday were the most popular days.

The figures suggest that people are returning to working in their offices midweek, and that rail travel is essential for facilitating this.

The Department also points out that there have been no national strikes since 9 May 2024, after the new government settled disputes about pay with rail unions last year. This has reduced the level of delays.

However, there have been strikes on individual train operating companies, for example RMT’s action over pay and conditions on Avanti West Coast.

For the quarter October to December 2024, rail revenue increased by 8% from the same quarter in 2023.

The government intends that public ownership will “turn the page on fragmentation”, and enable money to be spent on delivering and improving services rather than being paid to private shareholders.

The most recent passenger data revealed that 5.1% of services were cancelled in the quarter October to December 2024. Seventy thousand trains were completely cancelled across the rail network. The unreliability of train services is a major deterrent to people travelling by train.

The Rail Minister is meeting with train operators to discuss unreliability and to demand immediate action.

Last month, the Secretary of State for Transport announced that performance information would be made available at over 1,700 stations, calling this “a new era of rail accountability”.

“Our railway is the backbone of our economy, connecting people across the country and fuelling business, growth and opportunity, supporting the Plan for Change.

“This research shows thousands of passengers choose the train for their leisure travel. To go and see family and friends, go on holiday or go to big events whether its concerts, festivals or a football match, the train is the best way to get there.”

Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy