National Rail journeys have reached 91% of pre-pandemic levels as of Sunday, 2 March 2025, according to the latest transport usage statistics. Weekly average usage has ranged between 81% and 98% of 2019 levels, showing significant improvement from the previous reporting period’s range of 71% to 90%.
This upward trend aligns with recent quarterly data from the Office of Rail and Road, which shows passenger journeys for October to December 2024 reached 446 million, marking a 7% increase on the same quarter in 2023 and representing 97% of pre-pandemic levels. The quarterly figures also revealed 16.2 billion passenger kilometres travelled, up 7% year-on-year.
Revenue figures demonstrate continued financial recovery, with £2.9 billion generated during the last quarter of 2024, representing an 8% increase on the previous year, though still at 85% of pre-pandemic levels.
The Elizabeth line has significantly boosted overall rail recovery, with figures showing rail usage at just 86% of pre-pandemic levels when excluding Elizabeth line services, compared to 97% when included.
By comparison, London Underground usage stood at 75% of pre-pandemic levels as of 7 March 2025, while motor vehicles have exceeded pre-pandemic levels, reaching 102% as of 10 March 2025.
Commenting, RIA 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. Furthermore, the DfT’s latest figures showing over 101% patronage of the railway, compared to pre-pandemic levels, are also proof-positive that rail has bounced back. Even 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.
“What is more, the RIA-commissioned Steer Report published last year, predicted that – depending on the supportiveness of rail policy – rail passengers would grow between 37% to 97% in the next 25 years. And just last month, it was confirmed that passenger growth across the whole year to March 2024 was 16%, which is at the very top end of the range of scenarios to hit an almost doubling of passenger numbers by 2050. So our message to Chancellor Rachel Reeves ahead of her Spring Statement next week, is clear: please do not cut back on investing in rail, because it is growing, it supports jobs, GVA, innovation and social value, and it is also an enabler for economic expansion in other industries and in all parts of the UK at a time when the Government says ‘growth’ is its absolute highest priority.”
