Can any railway beat this passenger increase?

[rjhowie]

The NIR over in Ulster has recorded a 138% increase in pasesngers. Although a small network (a quartet of what it once was) the lowest increase on a line was 17%. Even there with new trains coming for that route it is expected to mushroom. The Londonderry line has doubled and the others not far behind. A remarkable turn around over there with modernisation.

 

[wholbr]

Hi Everybody.

The NIR over in Ulster has recorded a 138% increase in pasesngers. Although a small network (a quartet of what it once was) the lowest increase on a line was 17%. Even there with new trains coming for that route it is expected to mushroom. The Londonderry line has doubled and the others not far behind. A remarkable turn around over there with modernisation.

I have to agree rjhowie that the above are remarkable figures for the NIR. Indeed it would seem the whole region has been transformed in the last 10 to 15 years following an end to the troubles and we can only hope that it remains that way.

I also believe that the whole UK railway network is an example for the rest of the world in the way it has developed since the mid-90s. Where once we had near empty passenger trains and a network in decline, we now have problems of overcrowding and a network undergoing modernization and development.

I regularly travel on local, regional and HST services throughout the UK and no one can be other than impressed by the improved cleanliness and punctuality of all the train operators.

The one query I would have regarding future development would be the emphasis on speed rather than solving the overcrowding issues. I find that to me and the average passenger it makes little difference if we have to catch a train to Paddington from Somerset at 06:30 or 06.45 to arrive by 9 AM. However, what is important is that we have a seat for the entire journey and not have to stand ( as many do beyond Chippenham) for their entire journey.

Cleanliness, punctuality and comfort I find are the highest preferences for almost all regular rail passengers, achieve that and speed comes as a secondary. After all the HST's already achieve up to 130mph, spending millions of pounds to achieve 160mph in a country the size of Britain I feel does not make sense.

I believe there is a program on BBC television over the weekend which is devoted to overcrowding on the railways and future development. Could be well worth watching

Eat your hearts out America
Bill

 

[rjhowie]

A lot to agree with there definitely.

I have noticed much of the same up here in the northern part of the Kingdom north of the Border. Here and in Europe rail is "steaming" ahead. My example of the NIR shows what can be done. Over there decades ago the adminstration had no interest in rail and the old UTA was bus orientated when they took over bus and rail hence the massive closures in the Province. The NIR has done a great job of revamping stations and long overdue for those new CAFS they got - and more to come. This has resulted in better timetabling and massive extra use of the railways. I can recall holidays there years ago with clapped out trains and talk of reducing the already blitzed system historically. Now the Ulster rail scene has about faced with a modern attractive system. My only regret is thay haven't had the re-openings the IR has had south of the Border. There is nothing in the West.

The increased passneger rates on our railways in Great Britain is a great news and the highest figures since 1948. Yep our cousins across the pond can only eat their proverbial hearts out. There idea of inter-city is a pale shadow. Now I must get back to my build of the NIR (!).