As PFM partner with Network Rail for the management and delivery of key passenger data for all UK Major Stations we are uniquely placed to provide insight on the impact of the current strike by Network Rail employees.
We have looked at the week of the strike so far and compared this to the previous week and also the week in 2019 not affected by Covid 19 so that we can see the full impact.
So, what does this data tell us?
- There was no impact at the beginning of this week as passenger numbers were broadly in line with the previous week although still down around 20% on pre-covid levels.
- On Tuesday the first official strike day passenger numbers fell by 75% with very minimal train services running.
- Interestingly, Wednesday, a none strike day, shows a 25% reduction in passengers when compared to the previous week, with the general public perhaps acting on the information that services would still be disrupted the day after the strike.
- Perhaps the data is showing that the country is, as a result of the Covid pandemic, in a much better place to ride out this type of strike action. The flexibility to work from home is so well entrenched with businesses now that its impact has so far had limited effect, at least when compared to pre-pandemic working practices.
If you would like more information on the impact of this strike action or any other areas of the economy that are directly affected by footfall, please contact David Sturdy.
