Rail freight usage and performance data | RailBusinessDaily

New data released by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has revealed the total freight moved in the latest quarter (1 October to 31 December 2024) was 4,065 million net tonne kilometres, up 6 per cent compared with the same quarter the previous year. Intermodal non-maritime and biomass had the largest percentage increases in freight moved.

Total freight lifted was 18.0 million tonnes in the latest quarter, an increase of 5 per cent compared with the same quarter the previous year. The proportion of freight trains cancelled or arriving after 15 minutes, freight cancellations and lateness (FCaL), was 9.7 per cent. This was 2.5 percentage points lower (i.e. better) than October to December 2023.

Commenting on ORR’s latest freight usage stats, Rail Partners chief executive, Andy Bagnall, said: “It is promising to see that freight volumes have continued to recover in the last quarter and Network Rail’s new access charge discount scheme is benefiting freight operators introducing new flows. This shows the positive impact on rail freight growth that can be achieved when public and private sectors work together.

“With rail costs rising three times faster than road, government needs to go further to create a more favourable environment for rail freight. This includes measures to address the widening cost gap between rail and road, as well as long-term access rights and a stable charging regime.

“Freight operating companies want to invest in the UK and work with government to make rail more competitive, to help decarbonise the transport sector and reduce congestion on roads.”

You can read the full report here.