Whilst other cities are bouncing back to normal rates following the pandemic, Londons commuters are lagging behind with just 41% of pre-pandemic train commuters returning to the workplace.

Other cities throughout the UK have seen commuter numbers travelling by train show a steady increase, currently hitting more than half of pre-pandemic levels.

The impact of commuters travelling by train into towns and cities has a crucial role in supporting local businesses. Research by WPI Economics carried out on behalf of the Rail Delivery Group has revealed that the average spend by a commuter is £12 on food and drink and £6 on entertainment and culture and equals a total estimated spend of £16.7bn each year for London.

The drop in commuters returning means that this estimated amount is now standing at just £6.8bn.

Getting people back on the rails for their commute would also affect theatres in London who have really struggled throughout the pandemic. Catching up commuter levels in London to match those in other cities would see the hospitality sector set to gain an estimated £43.5m each week, which would equal up to £2.3bn throughout the year.

Commuter and business train journeys are still well under pre-pandemic levels, although leisure travel is recovering at a better rate, which points to people feeling confident in travelling by rail. Backing this theory up is research carried out by Transport Focus which has revealed that 89% of passengers felt satisfied with their most recent train journey.

In a bid to address these issues and get more people back on trains, the rail industry as a whole has come together to create its largest national campaign to date ‘Let’s get back on track’. The rail industry has also worked with the government to bring in a new Flexi Season tickets which support and provide discounts for commuters travelling to the office two or three days each week. 

Further attempts to encourage people back to train travel is the continuation of enhanced cleaning, good ventilation with 8 out of 10 carriages featuring systems which refresh the air every 6 to 9 minutes, improved information which lets passengers know how busy trains are enabling customers to avoid busy times. Train operators are now running 85% of pre-pandemic commuter services in the London area.

Andy Bagnall, director-general of the Rail Delivery Group, said:

“We all want to support the amazing cafes, restaurants, pubs and clubs that make London such a great place to live and work. Unlike other modes of transport, train travel delivers so much more than a journey for the capital – it connects Londoners to jobs and opportunities, tackles congestion and makes the air in our city cleaner.

“Train companies are doing their bit to deliver a national recovery, including continuing to help passengers travel with confidence by ensuring trains are clean and well ventilated and introducing innovations like part-time season tickets. Closing the gap between commuting in London and elsewhere will help level up the country rather than levelling down the capital.”

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