Trains seem much busier in 2012?

[amcluesent]

Just my observation as a pax on EC, but the services to/from KGX seem much busier than I've seen them for months and months, certainly at peak times.

Anyone else seen pax numbers increasing across the network - maybe some more business is being done despite the gloom and doom and the near criminal rise in fares?

 

[ChiefPlanner]

The new 12 car workings on FCC soutbound in the morning are wedged solid alreeady - as are all other peak working- and I mean standing right down the inside the length of the trains.

Pre Xmas was very busy indeed - the growth seems to have continued !

 

[scarby]

Isn't January a particularly busy period for getting business and work done?

Many people have just had (a seemingly ever longer) Christmas/New Year break, so put off getting away for winter sun/winter holiday for a while yet.

No school holidays.

Apart from those who worked their socks off over Christmas, really the month with the least incentive to take time off; for many people, anyway.

 

[trentside]

Glad to hear the rail network is busy elsewhere. I used the 0910 to Peterborough, off Lincoln yesterday and it was far quieter than when I've used it on previous occasions. A little later, I was one of only 4 passengers on the 1028 off Boston towards Skegness.

Maybe people are slower to get going around here?

 

[mountainmike]

I've done a couple of Lakes to London trips since Christmas on Virgin.Both very quiet. Came up to Edinburgh on Trans pennne express from Oxenholme - quieter than usual. Due to be on East Coast later from Dundee to Edinburgh - will see how busy that one is. So in my , admittedly small sample the trains are quieter.

 

[martinsh]

Stafford - Crewe trains seem much quieter than normal

 

[mountainmike]

Now on board 11.06 from Dundee to Edinburgh. EC 125. Not more than a dozen people in front two standard coaches.

 

[GodAtum]

There are more people on Southern services atm compared to the winter months last year.

 

[Matt Taylor]

I don't want to go against the grain but the trains I have worked have generally been a little quieter than usual and the trains on my bash around Cardiff yesterday were not busy either.

 

[Class377/5]

The new 12 car workings on FCC soutbound in the morning are wedged solid alreeady - as are all other peak working- and I mean standing right down the inside the length of the trains.

Pre Xmas was very busy indeed - the growth seems to have continued !

What the units pass us, I've noticed that the loadings are bad. This week all three 12 car FCC trains have have people stood throughout the train, even in first class.

Interesting to see figure for tickets sold as maybe the promise of 12 cars have got some people to move over from the car or other means?

 

[bnm]

One passenger in 1st Class on the 0700 XC Bristol TM to Cheltenham Spa this morning. Me!

And I didn't see anyone board 1st at CNM either. No reservations showing, all seats 'Available' and STD was pretty quiet as well.

Dunno whether that says more about XC 1st Class or more general trends though....

 

[attics26]

quietest month of the year on ECML usually (that was why there used to be £3 anywhere tickets for senior citizens to help fill the trains) everyone either travelled over xmas and new year or have spent up and are having to stay in for awhile.

 

[wintonian]

I don't want to go against the grain but the trains I have worked have generally been a little quieter than usual and the trains on my bash around Cardiff yesterday were not busy either.

I sort of agree, I haven't noticed any difference round here myself, but then I haven't been out much so far.

 

[YorkshireBear]

Fare increases biting?

 

[Badger]

The only train I've caught so far, a BHM to Stanstead three-coach train... I was the only person in my carriage all the way to Nuneaton, where three people joined me.

Granted it was 45 minutes late due to a pheasant in the coupler shorting the electrics (o.o) but it was the 17:22, usually absolutely rammed!

 

[RichmondCommu]

Fare increases biting?

It wouldn't surprise me. Leisure travellers will only pay so much before the car starts to become more affordable. However, in London and the SE the TOC's have a captive market and they know it. No matter how much SWT rip me off I have no choice but to commute by train. Basically Jimmy I'm a 'cash cow'.

 

[Eagle]

The only regular train I've been on in 2012 had 11 passengers between 7 coaches :P

 

[YorkshireBear]

Be interesting to compare last jans passenger numbers with this years. How much do fares usually go up by?

 

[wintonian]

Be interesting to compare last jans passenger numbers with this years. How much do fares usually go up by?

Last years passenger figures should be out next month.

 

[WatcherZero]

Station Usage figures should be out early next month here http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/server/show/nav.1529

Quarterly national statistic updates are published here http://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/browsereports/4

 

[ValleyLines142]

I've had to stand on the City Line for two days running!! AND I HAVE FOUR BAGS!! Nobody has a heart

 

[Sun!]

Traveling on the Valleys Lines i'd say that they arent more, or less busy than usual.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

Overall traffic figures (nationally) up to just before the Xmas break were up around 6% - heaviest growth on regional services . though London and South East holding up very well. Season ticket sales buoyant.

For the last 2 periods , 1st class volumes were comfortably up (maybe hinting at the loosening of the recession ,or more likely people buying cheaper advance tickets as opposed to full fare walk on)

Most of Europe would envy the (healthy) increases the UK seems to be racking up.

Having said that - post Xmas in my observations seems very busy. LUL had a superb December with around 4m in one day in early December - a record ! .

 

[ValleyLines142]

Traveling on the Valleys Lines i'd say that they arent more, or less busy than usual.

People left behind on 2A10 (0740 BYI - ABA) this morning at Grangetown! Although it was a single 143 :P

 

[philjo]

The new 12 car workings on FCC soutbound in the morning are wedged solid alreeady - as are all other peak working- and I mean standing right down the inside the length of the trains.

Pre Xmas was very busy indeed - the growth seems to have continued !

As there are now the 12 coach services, are some Peterborough passengers trying out switching to cheaper FCC only season tickets ?

The 06:45 from Cambridge is now fuller - this switched to 12 coach last month. The middle unit has seats available when arriving at Letchworth but front unit is full as is the rear unit (which comes from Kings Lynn)

 

[amcluesent]

are some Peterborough passengers trying out switching to cheaper FCC only season tickets ?

I was on FCC last week, when the ventilation window flopped open for what seemed the 100th time, I wished I wasn't.

 

[Bald Rick]

The new 12 car workings on FCC soutbound in the morning are wedged solid alreeady - as are all other peak working- and I mean standing right down the inside the length of the trains.

Pre Xmas was very busy indeed - the growth seems to have continued !

Seconded. Although I think the Semi-fasts seem a little less loaded from St Albans.

 

[Sun!]

People left behind on 2A10 (0740 BYI - ABA) this morning at Grangetown! Although it was a single 143 :P

Wow, that is really bad. Never seen a 143 on the Aberdare service before either. Though i'd imagine the train did empty out quite a bit after Central and Queen Street.

 

[wintonian]

If the figures are up yet again then clearly this shows a continued need for investment in the railway, and that it is getting ever more urgent?

Sent from my HTC Desire S

 

[bnm]

Granted it was 45 minutes late due to a pheasant in the coupler shorting the electrics

No such problem with fowl versus a Class 43 power car. Spotted a FGW HST at Bristol Parkway earlier today with a pigeon hood ornament. Right in the centre of the grille in front of the two-tone. Slightly damaged grille, but the pigeon's head was intact and facing forward.

Wish I had me camera to hand.