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Railways: Government Assistance

Asked by Mr Richard HoldenConservativeDepartment for TransportTabled Answered 23 February 2026UIN 111454

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether estimates of net Government support per passenger journey are used internally by her Department for (a) budgeting, (b) business planning and (c) performance monitoring purposes; and in which internal documents such estimates are recorded.

Answered by Keir Mather

As explained in response to Question 89632, the reduction in the rail passenger services subsidy over the Spending Review period will be primarily driven by passenger ridership and revenue continuing to recover post COVID-19 and efficiencies and savings being made through public ownership. Net Government support per passenger journey is a relevant metric when considering the affordability and acceptability of proposed business plans, and when monitoring performance against those plans.

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