Rail regulator ORR has released its latest passenger statistics for UK’s train operators.
They cover the period between October and December 2024 inclusive, and there’s good and bad news as you will see.
Let’s start with the good in that overall passenger numbers have increased.
The number of journeys rose by 9% with revenue up by 8%.
Most train operators reported positive growth. For example, TransPennine Express reported 16% more passengers, LNER was up by 15% and both TfW (Transport for Wales) and Cross Country grew by 14%.
London’s Elizabeth Line continues to go from strength to strength with 8% more passengers.
But on the negative side two operators reported declines.
Open access Grand Central lost 6% of its passengers, while Heathrow Express suffered a further decline and this time it was a significant 18%.
As we reported in January the operator had already suffered a decline in passenger numbers of 20% over a six month period in 2024.
At the time Heathrow Express told Business Traveller:
“Heathrow Express is committed to providing a dependable and efficient service ensuring passengers can reach Heathrow quickly and seamlessly.
“We are actively working on initiatives that address the changes in market demands from both leisure and corporate sectors while supporting future growth.”
Losses such as these cannot be sustained in the long run and it is to be hoped the operator’s passenger decline can be arrested.
Business Traveller has contacted Heathrow Express for further comment.
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*Corrected Comment *
And yet, HEX managers remain optimistic about the service’s future…
Dr. Güntürk Üstün
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The HEX was always an overpriced, poor quality service that doesn’t stand any chance against the Elizabeth Line unless they cut fares significantly
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They could start by offering more decent prices.
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Heathrow Express is just too expensive and the bog-standard rolling stock uses offers little inbthexwaybof greater passenger comfort. The advent of the Elizabeth line services has made it redundant. It should be scrspped and the paths and two ddducatedcplatforms st Paddington released for use by a greater number of longer distance GWR trains.
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Heathrow Express is much too expensive. When you have Elizabeth line close by for a fraction of the price and about a five minute longer journey.
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Heathrow Express should now be scrapped. For anyone travelling to the West End, City and Canary Wharf, the Elizabeth Line is a better option.
The Heathrow Express paths should then be allocated to the Elizabeth Line / GWR.
Inevitably, what a mess!
Dr. Güntürk Üstün