Value of rail
Exploring how rail travel supports spending and business growth in local communities, from stations to high streets
How Rail Fuels Local Businesses Across Great Britain
We commissioned a report to explore how people in different locations across Great Britain are spending money in local businesses in and around the station and on the local high street when they travel by train – and to understand how rail travel is supporting networks of local businesses in UK towns and cities.
The central finding is that rail is playing a wider role than purely getting people in cities and towns from A to B.
Rail brings over £23bn to UK high streets
72% of people view the station as important
in helping the local economy and businesses thrive.
Passengers spending £32 on average
in towns and cities they depart from.
40% spend more money when travelling by rail
in their local area
70% agree a train station helps their local economy and local businesses thrive
Spending in local communities
At a headline level, the findings show that travelling by rail is helping to support spend in local communities with nearly 4 in 5 people (79%) reporting that they spend money in and around their departure station as part of their rail journey.
More than 40% of people spend more in the local area when travelling by rail compared to other forms of transport.
Average rail passenger across the towns and cities in our sample spends £32 in and around their departure station.
This means that the 1.23 billion rail journeys in 2022/23 could have contributed around £23bn to the local high street at departure stations.
With a third of respondents (34%), the ability to go shopping in and around the station was one of the main reasons they choose to travel by train.
Jacqueline Starr
Chief Executive Officer, Rail Delivery Group
Rail is at the heart of local economies. Up and down the country, we’re seeing networks of small and medium businesses and independent companies thriving in and around train stations.
For our customers, travelling by train is more than getting from A to B. It is a ticket to explore our towns and cities and support the businesses on their high streets. If more people choose to travel by train in the future, we can only expect to see a stronger ripple effect, giving a further boost to local economies.
Jacqueline Starr
Chief Executive Officer, Rail Delivery Group
Rail is at the heart of local economies. Up and down the country, we’re seeing networks of small and medium businesses and independent companies thriving in and around train stations.
For our customers, travelling by train is more than getting from A to B. It is a ticket to explore our towns and cities and support the businesses on their high streets. If more people choose to travel by train in the future, we can only expect to see a stronger ripple effect, giving a further boost to local economies.
Train passengers contribute £9bn to independent businesses every year
Independent business benefits
As well as supporting local businesses and communities, people travelling by rail from towns and cities are providing a boost to local 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.
57% of respondents want to see more independent businesses in and around their local rail station.
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.
Railway is important for local businesses because we are independent and we do need those customers to support us all.
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.
See the value of rail in your region
Select your region to see how your local economy and community benefit
Value of rail in the East of England
186,000 rail passengers shop locally each day
Four in five passengers support businesses in and around train stations and on local high streets prior to their journey or when they arrive at their destination. That equates to an estimated 186,000 rail passengers shopping at local businesses in East of England each day.
44% of passengers support local high streets
Nearly half of rail passengers in East of England choose to support local high streets when they travel by rail.
£31 spent per rail passenger
The report found that rail passengers in the East of England spend an average of £31 in towns and cities they depart from.
£1.61bn each year on track to your high streets
Rail travel contributes up to £1.61bn each year to East of England’s high streets.
Supporting local independent businesses
£7 per journey spent at independent businesses
Local businesses see an average of £7 spent by each rail passenger every journey in East of England.
£590m each year delivered to independent businesses
Rail travel contributes £590 million each year to East of England’s independent businesses.
Value of rail in the East Midlands
42,000 rail passengers shop locally each day
Four in five passengers support businesses in and around train stations and on local high streets prior to their journey or when they arrive at their destination. That equates to an estimated 42,000 rail passengers shopping at local businesses in the East Midlands each day.
34% of passengers support local high streets
A third of rail passengers in the East Midlands choose to support local high streets when they travel by rail.
£27 spent per rail passenger
The report found that rail passengers in the East Midlands spend an average of £27 in towns and cities they depart from.
£230m each year on track to your high streets
Rail travel contributes up to £230m each year to the East Midland’s high streets.
Supporting local independent businesses
£6 per journey spent at independent businesses
Local businesses see an average of £6 spent by each rail passenger every journey in the East Midlands.
£110m each year delivered to independent businesses
Rail travel contributes £110 million each year to the East Midland’s independent businesses.
Value of rail in the North East
23,000 rail passengers shop locally each day
Four in five passengers support businesses in and around train stations and on local high streets prior to their journey or when they arrive at their destination. That equates to an estimated 23,000 rail passengers shopping at local businesses in the North East each day.
46% of passengers support local high streets
Nearly half of rail passengers in the North East choose to support local high streets when they travel by rail.
£38 spent per rail passenger
The report found that rail passengers in the North East spend an average of £38 in towns and cities they depart from
£200m each year on track to your high streets
Rail travel contributes up to £200m each year to the North East’s high streets.
Supporting local independent businesses
£9 per journey spent at independent businesses
Local businesses see an average of £9 spent by each rail passenger every journey in the North East
£90m each year delivered to independent businesses
Rail travel contributes £90 million each year to the North East’s independent businesses.
Value of rail in the North West
193,000 rail passengers shop locally each day
Four in five passengers support businesses in and around train stations and on local high streets prior to their journey or when they arrive at their destination. That equates to an estimated 193,000 rail passengers shopping at local businesses in the North West each day.
42% of passengers support local high streets
42% of rail passengers in the North West choose to support local high streets when they travel by rail.
£28 spent per rail passenger
The report found that rail passengers in the North West spend an average of £28 in towns and cities they depart from.
£1.55bn each year on track to your high streets
Rail travel contributes up to £1.55bn each year to the North West‘s high streets.
Supporting local independent businesses
£6 per journey spent at independent businesses
Local businesses see an average of £6 spent by each rail passenger every journey in the North West.
£570m each year delivered to independent businesses
Rail travel contributes £570 million each year to the North West’s independent businesses.
Value of rail in Scotland
136,000 rail passengers shop locally each day
Four in five passengers support businesses in and around train stations and on local high streets prior to their journey or when they arrive at their destination. That equates to an estimated 136,000 rail passengers shopping at local businesses in Scotland each day.
45% of passengers support local high streets
Nearly half of rail passengers in Scotland choose to support local high streets when they travel by rail.
£28 spent per rail passenger
The report found that rail passengers in Scotland spend an average of £28 in towns and cities they depart from.
£1.14bn each year on track to your high streets
Rail travel contributes up to £1.14bn each year to Scotland’s high streets.
Supporting local independent businesses
£6 per journey spent at independent businesses
Local businesses see an average of £6 spent by each rail passenger every journey in Scotland.
£380m each year delivered to independent businesses
Rail travel contributes 380 million each year to Scotland’s independent businesses.
Value of rail in the South East
329,000 rail passengers shop locally each day
Four in five passengers support businesses in and around train stations and on local high streets prior to their journey or when they arrive at their destination. That equates to an estimated 329,000 rail passengers shopping at local businesses in the South East each day.
47% of passengers support local high streets
Nearly half of rail passengers in the South East choose to support local high streets when they travel by rail.
£35 spent per rail passenger
The report found that rail passengers in the South East spend an average of £35 in towns and cities they depart from.
£2.91bn each year on track to your high streets
Rail travel contributes up to £2.91bn each year to the South East’s high streets.
Supporting local independent businesses
£8 per journey spent at independent businesses
Local businesses see an average of £8 spent by each rail passenger every journey in the South East.
£1.17bn each year delivered to independent businesses
Rail travel contributes £1.17bn each year to the South East’s independent businesses.
Value of rail in the South West
77,000 rail passengers shop locally each day
Four in five passengers support businesses in and around train stations and on local high streets prior to their journey or when they arrive at their destination. That equates to an estimated 77,000 rail passengers shopping at local businesses in the South West each day.
44% of passengers support local high streets
Nearly half of rail passengers in the South West choose to support local high streets when they travel by rail.
£34 spent per rail passenger
The report found that rail passengers in the South West spend an average of £34 in towns and cities they depart from.
£680m each year on track to your high streets
Rail travel contributes up to £680 million each year to the South West’s high streets.
Supporting local independent businesses
£8 per journey spent at independent businesses
Local businesses see an average of £8 spent by each rail passenger every journey in the South West.
£270m each year delivered to independent businesses
Rail travel contributes £270 million each year to the South West’s independent businesses.
Value of rail in Wales
39,000 rail passengers shop locally each day
Four in five passengers support businesses in and around train stations and on local high streets prior to their journey or when they arrive at their destination. That equates to an estimated 39,000 rail passengers shopping at local businesses in Wales each day.
48% of passengers support local high streets
Nearly half of rail passengers in Wales choose to support local high streets when they travel by rail.
£33 spent per rail passenger
The report found that rail passengers in Wales spend an average of £33 in towns and cities they depart from.
£480m each year on track to your high streets
Rail travel contributes up to £480 million each year to Wales’ high streets.
Supporting local independent businesses
£8 per journey spent at independent businesses
Local businesses see an average of £8 spent by each rail passenger every journey in Wales.
£160m each year delivered to independent businesses
Rail travel contributes £160 million each year to Wales’ independent businesses.
Value of rail in the West Midlands
123,000 rail passengers shop locally each day
Four in five passengers support businesses in and around train stations and on local high streets prior to their journey or when they arrive at their destination. That equates to an estimated 123,000 rail passengers shopping at local businesses in the West Midlands each day.
45% of passengers support local high streets
Nearly half of rail passengers in the West Midlands choose to support local high streets when they travel by rail.
£36 spent per rail passenger
The report found that rail passengers in the West Midlands spend an average of £36 in towns and cities they depart from.
£1.12bn each year on track to your high streets
Rail travel contributes up to £1.12bn each year to the West Midlands’ high streets.
Supporting local independent businesses
£8 per journey spent at independent businesses
Local businesses see an average of £8 spent by each rail passenger every journey in the West Midlands.
£440m each year delivered to independent businesses
Rail travel contributes £440 million each year to the West Midlands’ independent businesses.
Value of rail in Yorkshire
& the Humber
& the Humber
104,000 rail passengers shop locally each day
Four in five passengers support businesses in and around train stations and on local high streets prior to their journey or when they arrive at their destination. That equates to an estimated 104,000 rail passengers shopping at local businesses in Yorkshire & the Humber each day.
49% of passengers support local high streets
Nearly half of rail passengers in Yorkshire & the Humber choose to support local high streets when they travel by rail.
£32 spent per rail passenger
The report found that rail passengers in Yorkshire & the Humber spend an average of £32 in towns and cities they depart from.
£930m each year on track to your high streets
Rail travel contributes up to £930m each year to Yorkshire & the Humber’s high streets.
Supporting local independent businesses
£8 per journey spent at independent businesses
Local businesses see an average of £8 spent by each rail passenger every journey in the Yorkshire & the Humber.
£370m each year delivered to independent businesses
Rail travel contributes £370 million each year to the Yorkshire & the Humber’s independent businesses.
An improved railway will benefit local economies across Britain
This research confirms that there is a clear connection between rail travel and choosing to spend in the local community. On this basis, growth in rail travel in the years ahead could support local businesses and communities to thrive, given travelling by train is facilitating spending on the local high street and supporting independent businesses at the same time.
Celebrating local businesses in the World Cup of Stations
The positive impact station’s have on local businesses is being celebrated in the World Cup of Stations 2024, which will take place from October 14 to October 18.
The competition will see 48 stations from across Britain compete for the title of the 'Station with the Best Local Businesses.' The competition aims to highlight the diverse range of businesses found within train stations, from delis to doughnut shops and florists to farm shops, all of which play a crucial role in supporting their local communities.
Support your local station and the businesses that rely on rail travel.