Rail passenger numbers across Great Britain have reached a record high, with 1.83 billion journeys made between April 2025 and March 2026, according to new figures published by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR).
The annual total represents the highest number of rail journeys ever recorded, surpassing the previous peak of 1.75 billion journeys in 2018/19 and marking a 6% increase on the 1.73 billion journeys made during the previous year.
The latest figures provide further evidence of the railway’s continued recovery and evolution following the pandemic, with passenger demand now exceeding historic levels despite significant changes in travel patterns and ticket purchasing behaviour.
One of the most significant contributors to the growth has been the Elizabeth line, which recorded 257.4 million passenger journeys during the year. Since the opening of its central section in 2022, the route has transformed travel across London and the South East, with several Elizabeth line stations now ranking among the busiest in the country.
While overall demand continues to grow, the data highlights how passenger behaviour has changed compared with the pre-pandemic era.
Commuting is continuing to recover, with journeys made using season tickets increasing by 4% year-on-year to 234 million. However, this remains substantially below the 588 million season ticket journeys recorded before Covid-19, reflecting the lasting impact of hybrid and flexible working arrangements.
Leisure and discretionary travel continue to underpin much of the railway’s growth. Off-peak journeys rose from 799 million to 844 million over the past year, representing a 6% increase and reinforcing the importance of non-commuting travel to the industry’s financial performance.
Despite the record passenger numbers, revenue has not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels. Total fare income reached £12.32 billion during the year, remaining below the £13.39 billion generated before Covid-19.
Part of this difference can be attributed to changing ticket purchasing habits. Increasing numbers of passengers are using split-ticketing, where multiple tickets are purchased for a single journey to secure a lower fare. While this can reduce travel costs for passengers, it can also result in a single trip being counted as multiple journeys within official statistics.
The figures underline the challenge facing the rail industry as it seeks to balance growing passenger demand with changing revenue patterns and evolving customer expectations.
ORR Director of Planning and Performance Graham Richards said the latest statistics demonstrate both the strength of demand for rail travel and the changing role of the railway in modern Britain.
“It’s great news that more people than ever are using the railway,” he said.
“The Elizabeth line has been a massive boost to rail, but behind the record-breaking usage figures there is a significant shift to how and when we use the rail network.
“As more people are using the railway it’s important to have a relentless focus in ensuring trains are as punctual and reliable as possible.”
The milestone comes at a pivotal moment for the industry as Great British Railways continues to take shape and more operators move into public ownership.
For rail leaders, the figures offer encouraging evidence that demand for rail travel remains strong despite economic pressures and changing working patterns. However, they also highlight the need to continue adapting services, fares and investment priorities to reflect how passengers now use the network.
With record passenger numbers now travelling on Britain’s railways, maintaining reliability, improving performance and delivering value for money will remain central to ensuring the industry’s growth can be sustained in the years ahead.
