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Jump in rail passengers
PASSENGER numbers on the UK’s railways have grown almost five per cent in the first three months of the year, with the steep hike in fuel prices cited as the main reason for the increase.
Figures from the Association of Train Operating Companies show that passenger numbers increased by 4.8 per cent between January and March of this year, contributing to overall growth of 6.6 per cent over the whole financial year.
The number of journeys made during the period also increased, rising to 316m from 301m in 2010.
The number of journeys made in London and the South East grew by 4.7 per cent.
Petrol prices have risen at around twice the rate of rail fares over the past twelve months.