Some train stations used by 'fewer than 30' people (BBC News 01/05/2013)

[whole diary]

[JayMac]

Note: Although referencing a station in FGW^▸ (First Great Western) land, posted here in 'The Wider Picture' as it mentions other non-FGW stations.

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Some of Britain's mainline train stations are being used by fewer than 30 people a year, a new study suggests.

Teesside Airport station, in Darlington, had just 14 passengers between 2011-12.

Surrey's Dorking West had 16 passengers, while Denton in Greater Manchester had 30.

First Great Western, which runs services through Dorking West, say there is "an anomaly" in the calculations and the figure is wrong.

The estimates are based on station exits and entrances in the 12 months ending March 2012. They have been compiled by transport consultants Steer Davies Gleave for the Office of Rail Regulation.

But First Great Western and the Department for Transport pointed out that passengers getting on and off at Dorking West may not necessarily have bought their tickets at the station, which could explain the low numbers.

James Davis, a spokesman for First Great Western, said: "This is an anomaly in their accounting system which is not reflective of the true numbers of people using Dorking West."

User statistics for Dorking West suggest nearly everyone prefers to travel from the town's two other stations - Dorking and Dorking Deepdene.

'Ghost trains'

In the previous year, Teesside Airport had only 18 passengers, Dorking West had 22, while Denton had 52.

Denton has just one train a week - a one-way Friday morning service that runs between Stockport and Stalybridge.

Northern Rail, which runs the Denton service, said they were legally obliged to keep the station open.

"It was part of our rail franchise agreement that we would keep this Denton service going in order to keep the line open," a spokeswoman said.

"These particular services are known by some as ghost trains."

Alan Jones, chairman of the Friends of Denton Station group, said the service was "mainly used by rail enthusiasts".

But he questioned the Office of Rail Regulation's estimates, saying between 20 and 30 people use the service every week.

Teesside Airport station is also part of the Northern Rail network and, like Denton, is operated as part of the company's franchise agreement.

A 15-minute walk from the airport - now known as Durham Tees Valley airport - the station receives just two trains a week which call on Sundays.

Northern Rail said Teesside Airport station was not convenient for those using the airport and there were plans to relocate it.

A Department for Transport spokesman added: "Local train services play an important role in linking communities and connecting people with their places of work and leisure."

Without wishing to divert to much from the main points in the story, I do have one personal, slightly irrelevant, observation. The BBC have used the term, 'train station'. Still doesn't sound right to me, but then it is becoming more prevalent. Ultimately, when it comes to language - both written and spoken - it is regular usage that determines what becomes the norm. Innit.

[thetrout]

its wot we no tho blud... innit!

[CLPGMS]

Obviously, the figure of 16 for Dorking West is ridiculous.  A few years ago, I was travelling from Gatwick Airport to Reading on a train which called at Dorking West in the early evening and I noted 9 passengers alighting.

The reason behind this false statistic is probably because "Dorking Stations" covers three locations - Dorking, Dorking Deepdene and Dorking West.  I suspect that the figure of 16 only takes into account tickets being issued from, say, Dorking Deepdene to Dorking West.  As neither Dorking Deepdene or Dorking West has a ticket office, I suspect that it would take a very diligent Train Manager to issue tickets to anyone just travelling between the two stations in the two minutes available.

[Red Squirrel]

The BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) have used the term, 'train station'. Still doesn't sound right to me, but then it is becoming more prevalent.

There is a very detailed article here which, in Michael Quinion's inimitable and exhaustive way, details the etymology.

The fact that 'train station' is a young and vigorous term should be a cause for rejoicing - it means that railways are relevant to young folk. I still cringe slightly when I hear it, but  given the choice I'd much rather have a 'train station' than a 'disused railway station'.

As a further aside, how long ago did the industry start referring to 'points' as 'switches'? Isn't that an American term too?

[Pb_devon]

...anyway, back to the original subject

can anyone post a link to the study, please?  If it's the one I've seen previously, there's a spreadsheet that has all the data by station.

[LiskeardRich]

Coombe junction not mentioned!

[bobm]

can anyone post a link to the study, please?  If it's the one I've seen previously, there's a spreadsheet that has all the data by station.

Here is what you are looking for....

http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=12250.0

[CLPGMS]

Coombe station recorded 60 passenger journeys for 2011/2 - up from 38 in the previous year.

[Kim]

Let's hope that FGW^▸ (First Great Western) don't go getting hold of the idea that they will get more passengers at Melksham through reducing the service!

[eightf48544]

What struck me about this story was the fuss that was made about the low numbers but not about the fact that the stations involved apart from Dorking West don't really have a train service.

They should have emphasied the political, that the goernment are scared stiff of trying to close these stations but equally are not prepared to try giving them a decent service. So you end up with the Melkshams and Willingtons which are crying out for a better service, which can't be justified on the current figures. Catch 22. 

[grahame]

They should have emphasied the political, that the goernment are scared stiff of trying to close these stations but equally are not prepared to try giving them a decent service. So you end up with the Melkshams and Willingtons which are crying out for a better service, which can't be justified on the current figures. Catch 22. 

But there's a huge difference between - say - Barry Links, 12 trains calling per week and 86 passengers in the year (0.13 passengers per train) and Melksham, 27 trains calling per week and 11046 passengers in the year (17 passengers per train). Even at 06:38 in the morning, you'll find the best part of 10 people getting onto the train, and even yesterday (Saturday) I was on the first train as it passed through / called at Melksham, a couple of folks got off and at least a dozen got on.

And I think that having the Barry Links and Golf Streets of this world still open, with a daily commuterish service to Dundee of the same poorish timing as the Melksham service provides a very valuable control / comparison / contrast through which to view the Melksham figures.  The hundred to one ratio of tickets on the same ORR^» (Office of Rail and Road formerly Office of Rail Regulation - about) analysis technique is mighty significant!

[eightf48544]

Agree with you Graham but do you believe the Barry Links figures?

It's less than a passenger a week, and only 6 higher than Denton.

[grahame]

Agree with you Graham but do you believe the Barry Links figures?

Not entirely ... I would guess that people making return trips into Dundee from Golf Street and Barry Links may well book Carnoustie tickets, on the basis that on one end of the day or the other they'll probably use that station.    Then the figures don't count rangers, rovers and the like.   But there's no "group station" issue to my knowledge as there is at Dorking ... and I would think that they probably indicate an order of magnitude of passengers

[eightf48544]

My cousin caught a train from Heyford to Banbury one morning recently and returned at lunch time and he said he was the only passenger getting on and off at Heyford. He was on his narrow boatand needed to pick up his Post Restante.

He asked the conductor why it was 3 car both ways and got the sensible answer that it formed a Banbury to Padd service on the return. (the condutor should have added and you can't take a coach out of three car in service.)