PASSENGER levels are currently 45% overall compared to pre-Covid February 2020, with short distance leisure travel at 75% and commuting/business travel at just 20%, according to Network Rail’s chief executive Andrew Haines in an industry briefing on June 23.
Travel patterns have changed, he said, presenting a massive challenge and opportunity for rail. Many commuters want to use rail but, with working from home set to continue, commuting will have to change.
For this reason Mr Haines was asked to set up a cross-industry Rail Revenue Recovery Group last December, and was ready to launch a marketing campaign to welcome people back once lockdown is fully abolished.
Industrial relations