Rail Journeys in Pembrokeshire Surge by 18% as Travel Rebounds

The number of passenger journeys at rail stations in Pembrokeshire has surged, reflecting a broader recovery in rail travel across the UK. According to new data from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), approximately 528,000 entries and exits were recorded across the region’s 16 stations in the year leading up to March 2023. This marks an 18% increase from the 446,000 journeys reported in the previous year and a 10% rise compared to the 480,000 journeys in the year prior to the pandemic.

The Campaign for Better Transport welcomed this growth, labeling it a “cause for celebration.” The organization emphasized the importance of continued investment to expand the rail network further, which could enhance connectivity for communities across Britain.

Passenger Growth and Leading Stations

Among the total journeys recorded, around 2,000 were attributed to season ticket holders. In comparison to other stations nationwide, London Liverpool Street remained the busiest in the UK, with an estimated 98 million entries and exits, representing a 4% increase from 94.5 million in the previous year. This increase has been largely credited to the heightened usage of the Elizabeth Line, which began operations in 2022 and connects key areas from Reading to Heathrow Airport through central London.

Following London Liverpool Street, London Waterloo recorded 70.4 million journeys, while London Paddington had 69.9 million. All ten of the busiest stations were located in London. Outside the capital, Birmingham New Street topped the list with 36.6 million journeys, followed by Manchester Piccadilly at 27.4 million and Leeds with 27.3 million. In Scotland, Glasgow Central led with 25.3 million journeys, while Cardiff Central was the busiest station in Wales, recording 12.5 million journeys.

Future of Rail Travel and Challenges Ahead

Across the UK, a total of 1.73 billion passenger journeys were made in the year ending March 2023, reflecting a 7% increase from 1.61 billion in the prior year. Michael Solomon Williams from the Campaign for Better Transport remarked, “More people travelling by train is real cause for celebration, disproving all the gloomy predictions that the railways wouldn’t bounce back after the pandemic.” He noted that train travel aids in reducing congestion and carbon emissions.

Despite the positive trends, Williams highlighted ongoing challenges. Some individuals lack access to nearby stations, while others find train travel unaffordable. He advocated for Great British Railways, the forthcoming public body responsible for both trains and tracks, to implement clear targets for increasing passenger numbers and expanding the rail network. “Connecting more communities by rail, building on the success of new lines like the Elizabeth Line, and reopened lines like the Northumberland Line, will bring enormous economic, environmental, and social benefits,” he added.

In a stark contrast, the least-used station in Britain for the 2024-25 period was Elton and Orston in Nottinghamshire, with only 68 entries and exits. This station is served by a single train from East Midlands Railway each day in both directions, highlighting the disparities in rail usage across the country.

Feras Alshaker, director of planning and performance at the ORR, stated, “This year’s statistics show rail usage continuing to grow around the country, and we’re also seeing the sustained impact of major investment, particularly the Elizabeth Line. These insights are vital in understanding how travel patterns are changing and in planning a network that meets passenger needs.”