Media centre

Tuesday 24 Aug 2010

VAST MAJORITY OF RAIL PASSENGERS UNAFFECTED BY BANK HOLIDAY IMPROVEMENT WORKS

Region & Route:

National

The vast majority of people travelling by train this weekend will be unaffected by improvement works, with almost 30%  fewer rail replacement bus services compared to last year.

Network Rail engineers will be working round the clock to lay new track, repair bridges, update signalling systems and overhead power lines to help deliver a better railway for passengers.

Figures from the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) and Network Rail show that:

- There will be more than 1,400 fewer replacement buses than the 2009 August Bank Holiday, which represents a 29% reduction.
- 93% of services across Britain will run without rail replacement buses.
- Routes between all but a few of the UK’s cities and main towns remain open with no bus replacement services.
- Routes from major towns and cities to the UK’s main holiday destinations will remain open.

Michael Roberts, chief executive of ATOC said: “The vast majority of people travelling by train should experience no disruption whatsoever because of improvement work this weekend and even fewer will have to get onto a replacement bus. Millions of pounds are spent all year round by train companies and Network Rail to help build on the current record levels of punctuality and customer satisfaction.

“Travelling by train allows you to read a book, take in the scenery or just sit back and relax in a way that you simply can’t do when you’re behind the wheel of a car.”

Robin Gisby, director of operations and customer service for Network Rail said: “Passengers tell us that they would rather take another train or stay on one for longer than get on a bus, so we’ve listened and there will be significantly fewer replacement buses than this time last year.

“Bank Holidays and weekends remain the best time to complete vital improvement works, which will ultimately make people’s journeys better, as fewer people travel during this time compared to the traditional working week. However, Britain relies on rail seven days a week for tourism, personal travel and business, and so we’re working to help reduce disruption during the weekend as well.”

In a recent You Gov poll about holiday travel, almost a third of people (31%) who took at least one holiday in in the U.K. in the last five years travelled to and from their destination by train.  The survey also found:

Of those that had travelled by car:

-       59% got stuck in a traffic jam

-       21% got lost

-       44% got stuck behind a slow moving tractor

Of those that travelled by rail:

-       46% said one of the best things about the journey was being able to stretch your legs

-       40% said it was how quick the journey was

-       66% said it was the scenery from the train window

-       65% said it was being able to read a book or newspaper 

-       7% said it was being able to watch a DVD