Passenger Rail Statistics Following the Privatisation of British Rail

In common with other major industries, the rail industry requires significant amounts of high quality information for successful operation. Information relating to the demand and supply of rail services is required to ensure that appropriate services are provided at minimum cost. Given the recent explosion of information technology, data on demand and supply is readily accessible and much improved. The benefits to the industry arising from such improvements should be maintained under the new organisational structures brought about by the 1993 Transport Act. It is the aim of this note to outline current sources of information and key statistics and raise the issue of what provisions are being made to ensure that they are maintained in a consistent and compatible format following privatisation.