High Level Summary of Statistics Trend Last update: Thursday, August 28, 2008
Rail Passenger Services
ScotRail passenger numbers totalled 81.3 million in 2007/08, an increase of 5% from the previous year, a 45% rise since 1997/98 and a rise of 63% since 1992/93 when records began.
Over the longer term, the total rail passenger journeys originating in Scotland (including cross-border services), fell from 73 million in 1964 to a low of 50 million in 1982. Over the next 10-15 years, passenger numbers remained between 50 million and 60 million per year, before rising to 64.9 million in 1999/00. That short-term peak level was followed by lower figures from 2000/01 to 2002/03, due to the effects on services of the post-Hatfield speed restrictions and the ScotRail drivers' pay dispute. Patronage subsequently recovered, with large increases in the latest two years, rising to 78.1 million in 2005-06 (the latest year for which figures are available).
The rail punctuality Public Performance Measure for ScotRail (the percentage of services which arrived at their final destination within five minutes of the timetabled time) fell from 93.9% in 1997/98 to just over 82% in 2001/02 and 2002/03 (when services were affected by the post-Hatfield speed restrictions and the drivers' pay dispute); it was 88.8% in 2006/07.
According to the National Passenger Survey, the percentage of ScotRail passengers who were very satisfied or fairly satisfied with their journey fell from 86% in 1999 to 80% in 2002, before rising to 87% in 2006. The percentage who felt that value for money was "good" was 62% in 1999 and 56% in 2006.
The Scottish Household Survey asks adults who have used train services in the past month whether they agree or disagree with statements about a range of aspects of the services. In 2005, 81% agreed that the trains were on time, 80% agreed that services ran when the person needed them, and 60% agreed that the fares were good value.
Source: Scottish Transport Statistics
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