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Value of rail
Exploring the value rail travel brings to the economy, environment and society, including how it supports independent businesses and local communities



Great Britain’s railways contribute significantly to the economic success of the country: new research from WPI Economics, commissioned by Rail Delivery Group, reveals the rail industry generated £26 billion in economic, environmental and social benefits to UK over the past year, with rail customers contributing £98 billion through spending within local communities.

With the rail network facilitating over three million journeys each day, its impact on the UK economy is significant, playing a key role in the productivity of our cities and towns. The industry also directly employs over 103,000 people across varying roles – from station staff and train drivers to underwater divers and seasons delivery managers.

Beyond the tracks: Rail’s contribution to the UK
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Jacqueline Starr
Jacqueline Starr
Jacqueline Starr
Chief Executive Officer, Rail Delivery Group

The UK’s rail network does more than simply transport us from A to B; it plays a crucial role in driving economic growth by connecting businesses and communities, improving productivity, and supporting the transition to net zero.

The creation of Great British Railways is an opportunity for the rail industry to come together and make the improvements that are needed to attract more people to rail, unlocking even greater value for the economy, environment, and wider society.

Rail can and must be the backbone of the country’s future growth and environmental ambitions.

Unlocking future growth potential

Beyond its current contributions, the rail industry has significant potential for growth, further bolstering the UK economy. According to projections by the Railway Industry Association (RIA), rail travel is expected to grow by an average of 1.6% annually over the next three decades, driven by economic and population growth. This would be equivalent to a 20% increase in rail usage by 2035, if rail usage was to increase by 40%, driven by improved services and a growing preference for rail as a sustainable mode of transport, the total value of the rail industry could soar to £46bn.
Value of the railways to the economy
Greenhouse gas emissions avoided due to rail travel
Number of prevented casualties per year
Hours of road congestion saved by train
See the value of rail in your region
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Select your region to see how your local economy and community benefit
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Value of rail in the East of England
£2.2bn in benefits delivered to the East of England
  • £1.18bn passenger benefits
  • £660m value of decreased congestion
  • £360m additional benefits – in wider environmental & societal benefits and economic impacts.
40% rail growth could bring +£1.25bn to the East of England
If improvements were made and rail grew by 40% by 2035, greenhouse gases locally would decrease by 0.24Mt, congestion would reduce by 24m hours and an additional 137 accidents would be prevented.
Passengers are spending £74 on average
Passengers surveyed in the East of England reported that they spend on average £74 per complete journey. Based on passenger journeys taken in 2022/23, this means that rail customers could be contributing £6.5bn annually to the East of England.
Over 34% of passengers spend more when travelling by rail in the East of England
Spending £1.81bn on Food & Drink Establishments / £2.11bn on Shopping / £1.71bn on Entertainment & Culture / £360m on Accommodation / £460m on Other travel.
Rail travel contributes £590m each year to the East of England’s independent businesses.
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Value of rail in the East Midlands
£750m in benefits delivered to the East Midlands
  • £390m passenger benefits
  • £200m value of decreased congestion
  • £160m additional benefits – in wider environmental & societal benefits and economic impacts.
40% rail growth could bring +£420m to the East Midlands
If improvements were made and rail grew by 40% by 2035, greenhouse gases locally would decrease by 0.09Mt, congestion would reduce by 7m hours and an additional 51 accidents would be prevented.
Passengers are spending £111 on average
Passengers surveyed in the East Midlands reported that they spend on average £111 per complete journey. Based on passenger journeys taken in 2022/23, this means that rail customers could be contributing £2.1bn annually to the East Midlands.
Over 45% of passengers spend more when travelling by rail in the East Midlands
Spending £560m on Food & Drink Establishments / £700m on Shopping / £490m on Entertainment & Culture / £220m on Accommodation / £150m on Other travel.
Rail travel contributes £110m each year to the East Midlands’ independent businesses.
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Value of rail in London
£11bn in benefits delivered to London
  • £5.44bn passenger benefits
  • £4.69bn value of decreased congestion
  • £880m additional benefits – in wider environmental & societal benefits and economic impacts.
40% rail growth could bring +£5.73bn to London
If improvements were made and rail grew by 40% by 2035, greenhouse gases locally would decrease by 0.31Mt, congestion would reduce by 182m hours and an additional 224 accidents would be prevented.
Passengers are spending £74 on average
Passengers surveyed in London reported that they spend on average £74 per complete journey. Based on passenger journeys taken in 2022/23, this means that rail customers could be contributing £47.9bn annually to London.
Over 33% of passengers spend more when travelling by rail in London
Spending £13.8bn on Food & Drink Establishments / £17.47bn on Shopping / £9.55bn on Entertainment & Culture / £3.1bn on Accommodation / £3.97bn on Other travel.
Rail travel contributes £9bn each year to London’s independent businesses.
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Value of rail in the North East
£410m in benefits delivered to the North East
  • £270m passenger benefits
  • 80m value of decreased congestion
  • £60m additional benefits – in wider environmental & societal benefits and economic impacts.
40% rail growth could bring +£290m to the North East
If improvements were made and rail grew by 40% by 2035, greenhouse gases locally would decrease by 0.02mt, congestion would reduce by 3m hours and an additional 14 accidents would be prevented.
Passengers are spending £94 on average
Passengers surveyed in the North East reported that they spend on average £94 per complete journey. Based on passenger journeys taken in 2022/23, this means that rail customers could be contributing £990m annually to the North East.
Over 44% of passengers spend more when travelling by rail in the North East
Spending £300m on Food & Drink Establishments / £300m on Shopping / £230m on Entertainment & Culture / £80m on Accommodation / £80m on Other travel.
Rail travel contributes £90m each year to the North East’s independent businesses.
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Value of rail in the North West
£2.1bn in benefits delivered to the North West
  • £1.16bn passenger benefits
  • £600m value of decreased congestion
  • £340m additional benefits – in wider environmental & societal benefits and economic impacts.
40% rail growth could bring +£1.23bn to the North West
If improvements were made and rail grew by 40% by 2035, greenhouse gases locally would decrease by 0.18Mt, congestion would reduce by 22m hours and an additional 106 accidents would be prevented.
Passengers are spending £85 on average
Passengers surveyed in the North West reported that they spend on average £85 per complete journey. Based on passenger journeys taken in 2022/23, this means that rail customers could be contributing £7.8bn annually to the North West.
Over 37% of passengers spend more when travelling by rail in the North West
Spending £2.04bn on Food & Drink Establishments / £2.72bn on Shopping / £1.73bn on Entertainment & Culture / £760m on Accommodation / £530m on Other travel.
Rail travel contributes £570m each year to the North West’s independent businesses.
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Value of rail in Scotland
£1.17bn in benefits delivered to Scotland
  • £900m passenger benefits
  • £100m value of decreased congestion
  • £170m additional benefits – in wider environmental & societal benefits and economic impacts.
40% rail growth could bring +£960 to Scotland
If improvements were made and rail grew by 40% by 2035, greenhouse gases locally would decrease by 0.08Mt, congestion would reduce by 4m hours and an additional 43 accidents would be prevented.
Passengers are spending £82 on average
Passengers surveyed in Scotland reported that they spend on average £82 per complete journey. Based on passenger journeys taken in 2022/23, this means that rail customers could be contributing £5.3bn annually to Scotland.
Over 37% of passengers spend more when travelling by rail in Scotland
Spending £1.64bn on Food & Drink Establishments / £1.76bn on Shopping / £1.12bn on Entertainment & Culture / £450m on Accommodation / £350m on Other travel.
Rail travel contributes £380m each year to Scotland’s independent businesses.
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Value of rail in the South East
£3.2bn in benefits delivered to the South East
  • £1.98bn passenger benefits
  • £580m value of decreased congestion
  • £640m additional benefits – in wider environmental & societal benefits and economic impacts.
40% rail growth could bring +£2.11bn to the South East
If improvements were made and rail grew by 40% by 2035, greenhouse gases locally would decrease by 0.36Mt, congestion would reduce by 23m hours and an additional 207 accidents would be prevented.
Passengers are spending £67 on average
Passengers surveyed in the South East reported that they spend on average £67 per complete journey. Based on passenger journeys taken in 2022/23, this means that rail customers could be contributing £10bn annually to the South East.
Over 32% of passengers spend more when travelling by rail in the South East
Spending £2.9bn on Food & Drink Establishments / £3.04bn on Shopping / £2.48bn on Entertainment & Culture / £880m on Accommodation / £730m on Other travel.
Rail travel contributes £1.17bn each year to the South East’s independent businesses.
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Value of rail in the South West
£1.11bn in benefits delivered to the South West
  • £660m passenger benefits
  • £230m value of decreased congestion
  • £220m additional benefits – in wider environmental & societal benefits and economic impacts.
40% rail growth could bring +700m to the South West
If improvements were made and rail grew by 40% by 2035, greenhouse gases locally would decrease by 0.12Mt, congestion would reduce by 8m hours and an additional 72 accidents would be prevented.
Passengers are spending £78 on average
Passengers surveyed in the South West reported that they spend on average £78 per complete journey. Based on passenger journeys taken in 2022/23, this means that rail customers could be contributing £2.7bn annually to the South West.
Over 35% of passengers spend more when travelling by rail in the South West
Spending £800m on Food & Drink Establishments / £920m on Shopping / £550m on Entertainment & Culture / £260m on Accommodation / £200m on Other travel.
Rail travel contributes £270m each year to the South West’s independent businesses.
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Value of rail in Wales
£510m in benefits delivered to Wales
  • £240m passenger benefits
  • £140m value of decreased congestion
  • £130m additional benefits – in wider environmental & societal benefits and economic impacts.
40% rail growth could bring +£260m to Wales
If improvements were made and rail grew by 40% by 2035, greenhouse gases locally would decrease by 0.09Mt, congestion would reduce by 5m hours and an additional 54 accidents would be prevented.
Passengers are spending £72 on average
Passengers surveyed in Wales reported that they spend on average £72 per complete journey. Based on passenger journeys taken in 2022/23, this means that rail customers could be contributing £1.4bn annually to Wales.
Over 35% of passengers spend more when travelling by rail in Wales
Spending £330m on Food & Drink Establishments / £550m on Shopping / £270m on Entertainment & Culture / £150m on Accommodation / £80m on Other travel.
Rail travel contributes £160m each year to Wales’ independent businesses.
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Value of rail in the West Midlands
£1.48bn in benefits delivered to the West Midlands
  • £690m passenger benefits
  • £530m value of decreased congestion
  • £260m additional benefits – in wider environmental & societal benefits and economic impacts
40% rail growth could bring +£740m to the West Midlands
If improvements were made and rail grew by 40% by 2035, greenhouse gases locally would decrease by 0.15Mt, congestion would reduce by 21m hours and an additional 85 accidents would be prevented.
Passengers are spending £89 on average
Passengers surveyed in the West Midlands reported that they spend on average £89 per complete journey. Based on passenger journeys taken in 2022/23, this means that rail customers could be contributing £5bn annually to the West Midlands.
Over 39% of passengers spend more when travelling by rail in the West Midlands
Spending £1.3bn on Food & Drink Establishments / £1.89bn on Shopping / £980m on Entertainment & Culture / £440m on Accommodation / £390m on Other travel.
Rail travel contributes £440m each year to the West Midlands’ independent businesses.
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Value of rail in Yorkshire
& the Humber
£1.62bn in benefits delivered to Yorkshire and The Humber
  • £760m passenger benefits
  • £580m value of decreased congestion
  • £280m additional benefits –in wider environmental & societal benefits and economic impacts
40% rail growth could bring +£810m to Yorkshire and The Humber
If improvements were made and rail grew by 40% by 2035, greenhouse gases locally would decrease by 0.16Mt, congestion would reduce by 23m hours and an additional 93 accidents would be prevented.
Passengers are spending £83 on average
Passengers surveyed in Yorkshire and The Humber reported that they spend on average £83 per complete journey. Based on passenger journeys taken in 2022/23, this means that rail customers could be contributing £3.9bn annually to Yorkshire and The Humber.
Over 36% of passengers spend more when travelling by rail in Yorkshire and The Humber
Spending £1.13bn on Food & Drink Establishments / £1.37bn on Shopping / £750m on Entertainment & Culture / £390m on Accommodation / £300 on Other travel.
Rail travel contributes £370m each year to Yorkshire and The Humber’s independent businesses.

Supporting the transition to net zero

Supporting the transition to net zero
Supporting the transition to net zero
Increasing rail travel across Great Britain is crucial to achieving net zero. For every mile a person travels, passenger trains produce only around a fifth of the greenhouse gas emissions from the average petrol car. This latest research finds that a 40% growth in rail use is needed by 2035 to shift a minimum of four billion miles from car to train, to achieve the country’s net zero targets in line with the Committee on Climate Change (CCC)’s preferred pathway. A shift of this scale could result in a 1.8Mt decrease in greenhouse gas emissions per year – great than all domestic aviation emissions in 2019.
40% rail growth is needed to hit net zero transport targets, reducing 1.8mt decrease in greenhouse gas emissions per year.
The fast-charging technology that we use on this train helps to unlock the potential for significant carbon reductions across the network. Because electric trains are so efficient, if you go by electric train, that’s about 17 times less the emissions than going in an electric car.
Julian Fletcher, technical development manager, Great Western Railway
The Rails to Roots group is a gardening group. We thought it would be a really lovely project to set up a wellbeing garden at Ridgmont Station Heritage Centre. The vision was always to become a showcase for community rail, and also become a new reason for people to travel along this lovely line.
Stephen Sleight, Marston Vale Community Rail Partnership

How Rail Fuels Local Businesses Across Great Britain

Businesses located in and around rail stations are crucial to local economies. Almost three quarters of customers (73%) see their local station as important to helping the local economy and businesses to thrive. This is further evidenced by spending figures with customers reporting an average spend of £80 per complete journey. Based on the 1.23bn passenger journeys undertaken in 2023, rail customers could contribute £98bn annually to local economies as part of their journey.

£98bn generated for local economies
73% see their local station as important
to helping the local economy and businesses to thrive
£80 spent per journey
(not including rail fare)
42% spend more when travelling by train
compared to other modes of transport
34% travel by train to shop close to the station.
Shopping was one of the main reasons for choosing rail travel for over a third of passengers
Being inside the station is good for us because we’ve got so many potential customers walking past about 15 (15,000) to 55,000 people per day. Rail is very important to the local economy because it brings in a lot of potential money.
Jamie Savage, Menz Room barbers in Manchester Victoria Train Station
The rail network does really help business with outreach to different areas across Yorkshire, not just locally in York. It helps with our customer base, but in general we’re getting a better employment group as well.
Daisy Claisse, Antiques Centre York, family-owned business in York city centre
Our town has a population of about 20,000 people, and we have about 65,000 visitors a year. So the station literally helps bring those people to us. Train stations are vital to businesses like us.
Clare Harding, Mostyn Gallery located just outside Llandudno station

Supporting independent businesses

People travelling by rail from towns and cities are providing a boost to local independent businesses. A third of passengers are spending with independent businesses, with people grabbing a coffee, getting a haircut, or purchasing a gift before they head out on their train journey, spending about £7 per rail journey at independent businesses, that’s £9bn brought to independent businesses by rail across the Great Britain.
Supporting independent businesses
Supporting independent businesses
UK Hospitality

This insightful report reinforces what we know about the importance of train travel for hospitality and tourism. Trains help bring our customers – domestic and international and our employees to our doors, so we can deliver great experiences and boost economic growth.

We are looking forward to working with the rail industry to further grow the opportunities to reach all parts of our nation and spread the benefits of the hospitality sector.

Train passengers contribute £9bn to independent businesses every year
Read the microeconomies report: Unlocking the Economic Benefits of Rail to Local Communities
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The company decided to sell here because it’s one of the main streets, but the fact that the train station is visible was a huge factor in picking out the property. So, when people get off the train, they can actually see the pink store and that brings customers into the store, which is great for us.
Jane Fletcher, The Yorkshire Soap Company in Harrogate
Railway is important for local businesses because we are independent and we do need those customers to support us all.
Michaela Kirkland, Cawa, an artisan coffee shop set up by three Ukrainian women inside Grand Nottingham train station
Edinburgh Waverley is really important to us as a business because we’re right next to it and it brings tourism to us all the time. Bringing in more people to the city means more businesses getting more customers, which can then in turn mean more profits. And then that can be reinvested into the businesses and communities.
Harry MacNeary, Cadenheads Whisky Shop in Edinburgh
Changes needed to enable growth

Changes needed to enable growth

To achieve 40% rail growth by 2035 and enjoy the benefits this will bring to the economy, communities, local businesses and environment we would require additional investment on infrastructure, there is an opportunity within the current system to accelerate growth by increasing customer numbers through the level of service provision.

To make that possible, it is important the rail industry continues its work to bolster the attractiveness of rail to customers, which means focussing on getting the basics right - from improved performance, to improving accessibility and enhancing customer experience.

Alongside future government investment in infrastructure, future growth also depends on action from the rail industry to:
Improve day-to-day performance
Encourage modal shift
through better integration with other modes of transport
Make rail accessible to everyone
and continue to make improvements
to the overall customer experience

Rail has a critical role to play in the future of the country in the years to come, and harnessing its potential for growth will deliver vital economic, environmental, and social benefits.

Beyond the tracks: Rail’s contribution to the UK
Read now