Train usage up but still not back to normal

Figures out from the Office of Road and Rail last week showed that South Woodham Ferrers railway station had more users this year than last (288,570), about 15% up, but it's still only about half the usage pre-pandemic and way down on the record in 2001 of 650,000 users a year.

Will it ever get back to where it was before?

The Railway Industry Association (RIA) projects that rail passenger numbers will grow by 1.6% to 3.0% annually over the next three decades. This could lead to a 20% increase in rail usage by 2035, and a doubling of passenger numbers by 2050.

According to the RAC, car usage is catching up quicker although still not at pre-pandemic levels (about 2.3% short), and will exceed it next year in all likelihood.

We know that South Woodham residents value our train service, but the service isn't catching up with the roads, so what is putting you off using the train?