Rail passenger numbers falling - Andy McDonald responds

Andy McDonald MP, Labour’s Shadow Transport Secretary, responding to new Office of Rail and Road figures showing that rail passenger numbers have fallen, said:

“We should all be alarmed by this latest decline in the number of passengers on the railways, which will worsen congestion, and therefore air pollution and climate change.

“Our dysfunctional system of franchising out the railways depends on the revenue from fares continuing to grow – so with fewer passengers now using the railways, there’s a major risk of the taxpayer having to bailout even more train companies.

“Passengers are being driven off the railway by a combination of unreliable services and above inflation fare rises.

“Our privatised rail system is not sustainable. Labour will bring the railways back into public ownership, improving services and ending above inflation fare rises.”

Ends

Notes to editors

Passenger rail usage statistical release 2018-19 Q2 http://orr.gov.uk/statistics/published-stats/statistical-releases