Rail passenger numbers in the UK fell last year to 1.7bn in the biggest decrease since privatisation in the 1990s, casting fresh doubt on the viability of struggling franchises.
According to figures published by the Office of Rail and Road, usage fell by 1.4% in the 2017-18 financial year, the first annual fall since 2009-10 and the biggest since 1993-4.
Season ticket sales have plummeted 9.2%, suggesting commuters no longer place the same faith in the rail network, when fares have risen inexorably while services are beset by strikes and overcrowding.
Fares rose by 2.3% in 2017 and another 3.4%, the highest in five years, in January, which meant overall revenue has continued to grow for operators – although by just 2.3%, the industry’s lowest since 2000-01.
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