Research and Reports

Market for Rail Services 2016, Passenger Transport Intelligence Services

On many regional lines, the economics “are so poor that providing extra capacity simply increases the need for operating subsidies at a time when public funds will still be in short supply” argues Market for Rail Services 2016. That is one of the problems listed in the conclusions of this paper, which acknowledges the “undoubted success” of rail’s market growth since privatisation. However, it also argues that analysis of patronage growth “suggests that it largely rests on outside factors such as population growth, the performance of the economy and particularly the growth in the jobs market.” Market for Rail Services 2016 lists two other problems for regional networks in its conclusions: the need for large operating subsidies, and revenue yields “up to a third lower than in London and the south east”. This report is available to purchase for £10.83 from Passenger Transport Intelligence Services website