Keep me on the train!

26 October 2017

“Keep us on the train, even if it means a longer journey,” passengers tell rail industry.

Passengers prefer being kept on a train, for up to 40 minutes longer than usual, rather than switch to a bus when their journey is affected by planned engineering works.

This is one of the findings from independent watchdog Transport Focus’s update of its 2012 research Passenger priorities during disruption, working with Great Western Railway and Northern.

Chief executive Anthony Smith said: “Welcome investment in the rail network does mean that there will be short-term disruption for some passengers. But there are ways of reducing its impact.

“There have been some improvements in this area but we urge industry to continue putting passengers at the heart of planning for all new engineering works.”

Rail passengers’ experiences and priorities during engineering works, out today, concludes:
• there has been little change in passengers’ perceptions and expectations of railway engineering works since 2012
• experiences during planned disruption remain varied
• many passengers are following the industry’s ‘Check before you travel’ guidance and there is no clear evidence of passengers choosing simply not to travel at weekends.

The watchdog will continue working with industry to push it to keep passengers at the heart of planning, and use all available measures to reduce the impact of works on their journeys.

Notes to editors

Download the report here.

For more information, contact Sara Nelson, head of communications, on 0300 123 0820 or by email.