2020
The pandemic hits in February 2020, impacting rail travel in the final few weeks of the railway year (1 April to 31 March).
2021
Great Britain cycles in and out of lockdowns and passenger journeys reduce to 23% of pre-Covid levels.
Airport travel sees the biggest drop in journeys (90%), with air travel heavily restricted, and Heathrow T4 station closed.
2022
Great Britain exits last lockdown and rail journeys start to recover.
Following the “staycation” boom and implementation of social distancing measures, recovery in long-distance journeys is strongest.
There is limited recovery in international travel - so rail travel to airports remains suppressed, Heathrow T4 remains closed.
The impact of hybrid working policies stifles recovery in the South East to London market.
2023
Rail demand continues to recover but industrial action begins during the year, impacting all markets.
As international travel opens up, rail travel to/from airports recovers from 35% to 75%.
2024
Rail strikes continue in 2024, but growth rates begin to stabilise across all segments.
Non-London short distance and South East to London trips remain below 80% of 2019 levels.
Timeline of rail market recovery
Rail demand between 2019 and 2024
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024