Least Used Stations 2019-20

[Requeststop]

Now that the Newquay Branch has eight services each day, weekdays, and seven on a Saturday, it'll be interesting to see if the numbers at the intermediate stations between Par and Newquay increase just as much as when the St Ives and Falmouth branches had their services increased.

 

[stantheman]

Does anyone know how Breich is doing since it’s reprieve ?

 

[splashoutradio]

Does anyone know how Breich is doing since it’s reprieve ?

It's definitely had an increase in usage, but with an average of approximately one passenger every four servicees, it's still pretty low.

 

[backontrack]

Some interesting fluctuations on the FNL.

Beauly, Dingwall, Invergordon and Tain all drop slightly - as expected, due to COVID-19 and temporary timetabling - but Muir of Ord and Conon Bridge have actually increased by a bit. Also, Thurso's usage has dipped by only very little - it's essentially stable. Good signs that the railway is now the premier route to Thurso going forward.

Lairg is still going up, Helmsdale's up, Forsinard's up...Fearn, Ardgay, Golspie, Brora and Wick are down, but not by very much. The biggest concern is Alness; still sinking down the list, perhaps due to not yet regaining its late connection into Inverness lost halfway through the decade. All in all a mixed picture for the line - but tinged with promise.

 

[Journeyman]

It has a pretty woeful flight service too, to be fair.

So much so that even bus services have been cut right back.

 

[paul1609]

Some interesting fluctuations on the FNL.

Beauly, Dingwall, Invergordon and Tain all drop slightly - as expected, due to COVID-19 and temporary timetabling - but Muir of Ord and Conon Bridge have actually increased by a bit. Also, Thurso's usage has dipped by only very little - it's essentially stable. Good signs that the railway is now the premier route to Thurso going forward.

Lairg is still going up, Helmsdale's up, Forsinard's up...Fearn, Ardgay, Golspie, Brora and Wick are down, but not by very much. The biggest concern is Alness; still sinking down the list, perhaps due to not yet regaining its late connection into Inverness lost halfway through the decade. All in all a mixed picture for the line - but tinged with promise.

Id have thought that Alness with its 30 min interval express bus service over the bridges to Inverness (7 miles shorter than rail) was pretty much a hopeless case.

 

[backontrack]

Id have thought that Alness with its 30 min interval express bus service over the bridges to Inverness (7 miles shorter than rail) was pretty much a hopeless case.

Apparently not. It's still one of the best-used stations on the line.

I think it's an example where connections particularly matter. You're more likely to use the train to Inverness if you're then getting on another train to the Central Belt - you're not going to bus and train.

Also, Alness -> Dingwall flows probably happen on Ross County home matchdays.

Then there's the "rite of passage" factor, whereby some customers will always take a train over a bus if offered.

Plus greater luggage space...

So not quite hopeless, but as you say there is that competitive bus service.