17.2.7 National Rail Trends (ORR)

The Office of the Rail Regulation's (ORR) National Rail Trends is published quarterly and brings together a wide range of information on the rail industry. It is split into sections covering:

• Rail markets, passenger and freight;
• Quality, performance and perceptions;
• Health and safety; and
• Other current issues.

Sources:

The main sources of information contained within the National Rail Trends are:

• The Train Operating Companies (TOCs);
• Network Rail; and
• Department for Transport.

In addition, use is made of the rail industry's central ticketing system, LENNON, as the basis for passenger kilometres and journeys data.

Data Availability:

Various information and data are available from the National Rail Trends, including:

• Passenger kilometres;
• Passenger journeys;
• Passenger revenues;
• Timetable train kilometres;
• Public performance measure;
• Rail complaints;
• National Rail Enquiry System;
• Fares price index;
• Freight moved;
• Freight lifted; and
• Average age of rolling stock.

In addition, as its role as monitor of Network Rail, the Office of the Rail Regulation provides information on:

• Government support;
• Investment; and
• Infrastructure on National Railways.

Format of the Data:

The National Rail Trends presents data in tabular and graphical format for each topic and includes summaries of key results. Where possible the information presented is broken down by ticket type, sector, or Train Operating Company etc. The analysis of trends in some cases dates back to 1948.

Data Use:

The data from the National Rail Trends can help to provide information on sub-national rail statistics and can provide a more comprehensive picture of the service being provided. The data can be used for analytical purposes such as modelling. The data also provides a useful source of historic trends.

Accessing Data:

The National Rail Trends can be accessed through the ORR via their website at http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/

A more detailed breakdown of the information contained within the National Rail Trends can be obtained from the ORR. The ORR will consider each request and generally consult with the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) to ensure that the request would involve no disclosure of commercially confidential information. As a rule, this is much less likely to be the case where requests are for journeys/passenger kilometres data than for revenue data.

Where detailed data is being sought for analytical purposes such as modelling, the ORR can offer advice and data subject to confidentiality agreements.

Cost:

The National Rail Trends can be downloaded free from the ORR website. Detailed data requests to the ORR may incur a charge which should be discussed with them.

Contacts:

The ORR contact for rail data is:

Brian Hatfield Tel. 020 7282 2073

Email brian.hatfield@orr.gsi.gov.uk