UK passenger numbers continue to climb in later ORR stats - but Heathrow Express journeys drop

Passenger journeys in October- December 2024 (Q3 2024-25) rose by 7% compared with the corresponding three-month period in 2023-24, highlighting the continued recovery of passenger travel since the pandemic ended.

A total of 446 million passenger journeys were made across Britain’s rail network during the quarter, according to the latest figures from the Office of Rail and Road.

All but four operators (London Overground, Grand Central, Heathrow Express, and Caledonian Sleeper) recorded an increase in passenger journeys from Q3 2034-24.

The largest increase was for TransPennine Express, with 7.4 million journeys made in the quarter.

This was partly due to the operator’s return to a full timetable, after it had originally scaled back its timetable in December 2023 from 320 services to just under 300 a day.

Challenges with driver training and crew availability had been blamed for the timetable reduction at the time. The full return of the timetable was completed in December 2024.

The impact of the Elizabeth line continues to affect Heathrow Express. It recorded an 18% decrease in passenger journeys compared with Q3 2023-24, following a similar decline in July- September 2024. The operator told RAIL that it was looking to “address the changes in market demands”.

Railway Industry Association Chief Executive Darren Caplan said: “These figures by the ORR provide further, sustained, evidence of a return to rail post-pandemic.

“Both passenger numbers and passenger revenues are up by 7% and 8% respectively in the quarter, year-on-year. In tough economic times, with a restructure in the offing, rail has a bright future.

“The government clearly needs to continue to invest in it, as the numbers using rail grow and more capacity will be needed.”