Rail passenger numbers could nearly double by 2050

[whole diary]

[Marlburian]

Reading Chronicle

I'll leave it to someone else to find the actual report. I'm always very cautious about the Chronicle's interpretations.

[ellendune]

Not with the Treasury running the railways as they do now - there would not be enough trains!

[Noggin]

Looks like they've picked up a national story as there's something similar in the London Evening Standard (https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/rail-passenger-numbers-2050-prediction-railway-industry-association-b1139949.html).

A doubling in numbers is not implausible - if you take Bristol as a case, the cumulative effect of reopened lines, stations being built and higher frequency will soon add up, along with growth in longer-distance commuting a few days a week. Temple Meads at 8am is now the busiest I've seen it in a long time.

Similar story for Birmingham, Newcastle and others, whilst the Transpennine electrification should result in plenty of sparks effect growth.  

However, even if you add up all the regional increases, it's probably a drop in the ocean against London, where Crossrail 2 and the West London Orbital could probably add a fair whack to that figure on their own.

[grahame]

By 2050??  Provide an appropriate service not a thin one to certain station and you would see more than double the number of passengers in 3 years rather than 3 decades.

[Red Squirrel]

Here is the RIA report on which, I presume, these stories are based: https://www.riagb.org.uk/RIA/Newsroom/Press_Releases/Government_should_seize_opportunity_to_grow_passenger_rail.aspx

[grahame]

From Rail Engineer

At last, an (unofficial) plan!

Following recent editorials entitled ‘Where’s the plan’ and ‘There is no plan’, this issue also focuses on the need for one. In doing so we make no apologies for emphasising the need for a whole system plan to engineer the railway of the future.

In May 2021, the Williams-Shapps report committed to the production of a 30-year ‘Whole Industry Strategy Plan’ in 2022. There is as yet no such plan and the Great British Railways Transition Team (GBRTT) is unable to advise when it will be produced. There is thus no (Westminster) Government long-term plan to get the best from its railways.

Rail Engineer is therefore pleased to report that the Railway Industry Association (RIA) has published a pragmatic, credible plan entitled ‘Delivering a lower cost, higher performing, net zero railway by 2050’.

[snip]

RIA’s report also shows how ‘boom and bust’ procurement can be eliminated to reduce costs, save jobs, and give the railway supply chain a predictable workload.

However, this report has no official status.

[BIG snip]

As always, Rail Engineer highlights the complexity of today’s railway engineering and the achievements of the industry’s engineers in maintaining and enhancing trains and infrastructure. It is to be hoped that, after the election, a strategic plan will be developed so that the nation can make the best use of this expertise.