Patterns of returning passengers?

[whole diary]

[TaplowGreen]

Interesting article highlighting that train commuting is languishing at 33% of pre COVID rates with car journeys back to normal, and the longer term consequences;

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-58502589

[stuving]

Interesting article highlighting that train commuting is languishing at 33% of pre COVID rates with car journeys back to normal, and the longer term consequences;

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-58502589

That's the same article Graham posted about yesterday. He asked about its use of terms like "commuting", and the source of all the numbers is not really clear. The BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page)'s source is the release of a "report" - more of a long campaigning flyer, really - from RDG^‡(resolve) called (sub-snappily)" More than a journey: The railway’s value to a fair, clean recovery for communities across Britain". Their press release and description describe the underlying research as:

WPI Economics were commissioned to carry out a study of the economic, social and environmental benefits of rail by the Rail Delivery Group. This included an online survey of a nationally representative sample of 2,241 residents of Great Britain between 16th and 22nd June 2021 carried out by Savanta ComRes. Alongside this they carried out an online survey of 103 decision-makers in retail and hospitality businesses across the country between 23rd June and 5th July about the value of the rail network to their business.

In addition they cite the Official statistics on rail passenger numbers compared to pre-pandemic levels.

The results of the WPI work are internal, not published, but in any case that was a survey of  public attitudes plus some guesswork. The RDG announcement is the only source of the 33% figure:

Latest figures from the rail industry show that train commuting is at just a third (33%) of pre-pandemic levels. This is expected to increase this month but could take years to return to numbers seen in 2019.

However, car journeys are recovering much more quickly. Government data shows that the number of car journeys has almost reached pre-pandemic levels at around 96% but the overall number of people taking train trips is still lagging behind at around 60%.

So presumably RDG have used passenger numbers or ticket sales for routes and times labelled as "commuter". One of the things the RDG "report" goes on about is the impact of 20% of rail commuters switching to road (car) travel. But what level of car commuting do they add that transfer onto? 100% of pre-covid? Less? More? I can't see that stated, implying they used 100%. I'm not convinced that means a lot.

[TaplowGreen]

Apologies - didn't realise it had already been shared.

I think the meaning of the term "commuting" is quite well understood, but if it helps, the dictionary suggests;

"travel some distance between one's home and place of work on a regular basis".

I suspect that's the context here?

[broadgage]

Apologies - didn't realise it had already been shared.

I think the meaning of the term "commuting" is quite well understood, but if it helps, the dictionary suggests;

"travel some distance between one's home and place of work on a regular basis".

I suspect that's the context here?

I believe that you are correct, however reporters seem to misuse the word commuters to mean almost any rail passengers. And often excluding driving or taking the bus which are also popular forms of commuting.

[IndustryInsider]

Nice to see Paddington really starting to get its peak time buzz back now.  Far more people travelling during the peaks than I was expecting.

[Timmer]

Nice to see Paddington really starting to get its peak time buzz back now.  Far more people travelling during the peaks than I was expecting.

Was passing through there an hour ago and my wife said something along those lines. Might have walked straight passed you 

[grahame]

Coming into Bristol at lunch time today

[Marlburian]

I remain more reclusive than most and find those photos are a bit scary. Just six (?) masks being worn in the lower one?

(This morning I popped into Wickes as soon as they opened at 0700. Cavernous store, only five other people there. I wasn't going to bother with my mask, but the youngish guy in front was wearing one, so I went back to my car to put mine on. Twenty-five minutes later at the small corner Coop I didn't hesitate to wear one.)

[TaplowGreen]

Virtually no masks, and absolutely no social distancing. Packed conditions possibly due to numerous crew shortage related cancellations today but in any case deeply worrying.

[grahame]

Virtually no masks, and absolutely no social distancing. Packed conditions possibly due to numerous crew shortage related cancellations today but in any case deeply worrying.

It looks worse because of the compression of zoom.   The train I had arrive on from Trowbridge is in the other picture; the SWR^» (South Western Railway - about) train that would "normally" have been ahead of it (from Waterloo) didn't run today.  Masks on the train - around 50% - I suspect many people took them off when the got off the train, not then thinking of the subway as an enclosed area.

[Timmer]

Paddington was very busy this evening looking as it did pre Covid.

Had the privilege, if you can call it that, of having Plymouth Argyle supporters on our train home this evening, so everything really did feel back to normal.

[Red Squirrel]

Virtually no masks, and absolutely no social distancing...

Maybe they are being led by example? Here is a very recent picture of our government in action:

[CyclingSid]

Maybe they are being led by example?

No more likely that they will be setting an example by use public transport, to increase the public's confidence in it. There again the chance of meeting Boris or Priti Patel would probably put me off for life.

[TaplowGreen]

Maybe they are being led by example?

No more likely that they will be setting an example by use public transport, to increase the public's confidence in it. There again the chance of meeting Boris or Priti Patel would probably put me off for life.

Now now, be fair, it hasn't always been like that! 

[grahame]

Virtually no masks, and absolutely no social distancing. Packed conditions possibly due to numerous crew shortage related cancellations today but in any case deeply worrying.

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

Only 20% of rail passengers are still wearing masks at train stations now that it is no longer compulsory, according to Network Rail.

That compares with 80% before restrictions were lifted on 19 July.

Not surprised ... however it went in the first few days after restrictions were lifted, people were going to get bored and a bit complacent one there was no longer a legal requirement.