Passenger numbers on all tram and light rail systems in the UK have bounced back to their highest levels since before the pandemic but are still a long way short of numbers which were carried in 2019\/20 according to the latest statistics released by the Department for Transport. Coming some two months later than usual the stats show passenger journeys on each system along with various other statistics such as concessionary passenger journeys and average length of journeys.<\/p>\n
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These figures cover the period up until March 2022 and the overall figures show that passenger journeys have more than doubled when compared to those up until March 2021 (possibly not exactly a surprise). 171.5 million journeys were recorded across England with all eight systems under review seeing rises. Top of the pops here is the Blackpool Tramway which saw a 281.8% increase in passenger numbers \u2013 showing how tourism bounced back quicker than commuters returning to the office most probably \u2013 whilst down at the other end is the West Midlands Metro which only saw a 38.8% increase (its fair to say none of these numbers are a surprise with the Metro having seen long periods of no or reduced service).<\/p>\n
Once again the bulk of journeys are carried within London \u2013 the Docklands Light Railway alone accounts for over 50% of the total journeys within the country. Outside of London, Manchester Metrolink is unsurprisingly the system with the most journeys (and a 152.4% increase). Away from Blackpool with its tourism skewed figures the normal system with the highest increase is Nottingham Express Transit which saw a 167.6% rise.<\/p>\n
Although the statistics are mainly for English systems, Edinburgh Trams is also included as a comparison. This shows that although it has increased passenger numbers during the 2021\/22 period it is still only around 40% of pre-pandemic levels. With more restrictions continuing for longer in Scotland this can probably account for some of this reduction.<\/p>\n
Passenger journeys by system over the past fours years are given below (2018\/9 was the last full \u201cnormal\u201d year):<\/p>\n
Blackpool Tramway<\/strong><\/p>\n 2021\/22 \u2013 4.2 million<\/p>\n 2020\/21 \u2013 1.1 million<\/p>\n 2019\/20 \u2013 4.8 million<\/p>\n 2018\/19 \u2013 5.2 million<\/p>\n Docklands Light Railway<\/strong><\/p>\n 2021\/22 \u2013 77.2 million<\/p>\n 2020\/21 \u2013 39.7 million<\/p>\n 2019\/20 \u2013 116.8 million<\/p>\n 2018\/19 \u2013 121.8 million<\/p>\n Edinburgh Trams<\/strong><\/p>\n 2021\/22 \u2013 2.8 million<\/p>\n 2020\/21 \u2013 0.9 million<\/p>\n 2019\/20 \u2013 7.1 million<\/p>\n 2018\/19 \u2013 7.5 million<\/p>\n London Tramlink<\/strong><\/p>\n 2021\/22 \u2013 19.1 million<\/p>\n 2020\/21 \u2013 11.6 million<\/p>\n 2019\/20 \u2013 27.2 million<\/p>\n 2018\/19 \u2013 28.7 million<\/p>\n Manchester Metrolink<\/strong><\/p>\n 2021\/22 \u2013 26.0 million<\/p>\n 2020\/21 \u2013 10.3 million<\/p>\n 2019\/20 \u2013 44.3 million<\/p>\n 2018\/19 \u2013 43.7 million<\/p>\n Nottingham Express Transit<\/strong><\/p>\n 2021\/22 \u2013 9.1 million<\/p>\n 2020\/21 \u2013 3.4 million<\/p>\n 2019\/20 \u2013 18.7 million<\/p>\n 2018\/19 \u2013 18.8 million<\/p>\n Stagecoach Supertram<\/strong><\/p>\n 2021\/22 \u2013 6.9 million<\/p>\n 2020\/21 \u2013 2.8 million<\/p>\n 2019\/20 \u2013 10.5 million<\/p>\n 2018\/19 \u2013 11.9 million<\/p>\n Tyne and Wear Metro<\/strong><\/p>\n 2021\/22 \u2013 24.3 million<\/p>\n 2020\/21 \u2013 9.4 million<\/p>\n 2019\/20 \u2013 33.1 million<\/p>\n 2018\/19 \u2013 36.4 million<\/p>\n West Midlands Metro<\/strong><\/p>\n 2021\/22 \u2013 4.7 million<\/p>\n 2020\/21 \u2013 3.4 million<\/p>\n 2019\/20 \u2013 8.0 million<\/p>\n 2018\/19 \u2013 8.3 million<\/p>\n UK total<\/strong><\/p>\n 2021\/22 \u2013 174.3 million<\/p>\n 2020\/21 \u2013 82.6 million<\/p>\n 2019\/20 \u2013 270.6 million<\/p>\n 2018\/19 \u2013 282.3 million<\/p>\n Passenger numbers on all tram and light rail systems in the UK have bounced back to their highest levels since before the pandemic but are still a long way short of numbers which were carried in 2019\/20 according to the … Continue reading \n