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Railways: Government Assistance

Asked by Jerome MayhewConservativeDepartment for TransportTabled Answered 9 December 2025UIN 96260

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate she has made of the level of net Government support to the rail sector per passenger journey in (a) November 2025 and (b) each month since July 2024.

Answered by Keir Mather

The Department’s support for the 14 contracted operators and Network Rail was £8.47 per passenger journey in 2024/25. It is currently estimated that this will steadily decrease to circa £7.40 in 2028/29, primarily driven by a declining rail passenger services subsidy as passenger ridership and revenue continue to recover post COVID-19 and efficiencies and as savings are made through public ownership.

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