14 November 2024 •
14 November 2024
Customers using south Essex and east London train operator Trenitalia c2c are benefiting from billions of pounds of passenger perks, according to a new industry report.
The findings, from newly published Rail Delivery Group (RDG) research – based on the year ending 2022/2023 – revealed that £6.7 billion worth of benefits is passed on to rail users annually across the East of England and London, including those using c2c.
Passenger benefits include factors such as improving travel efficiency, supporting economic growth and enhancing commuter experiences. These benefits are primarily realised through investments in network upgrades, leading to faster journeys, increased train capacity and better reliability.
Every morning c2c takes more than 25,000 passengers to their destinations across Essex and central London, with businesses across the route benefitting, with 35 million passengers travelling on the route each year.
According to the RDG’s research for the East of England, rail travel contributes around £590 million annually to independent businesses located near train stations.
c2c’s Managing Director, Rob Mullen, said:
“Working and engaging with the local businesses in our communities is one of our core business priorities at c2c. We understand our role in helping to grow local economies through mass transportation and are always looking for ways to highlight the many incredible businesses and events – big or small – that can be found along our route.
“At c2c, we wholly welcome this report from the RDG, as it shows just how rail impacts communities across the UK and how this will only going to increase going forward – especially with more and more people being conscious of their carbon footprint and choosing to take the train over other methods of transportation, which will lead to more people contributing to local economies.”
c2c’s impact can be felt in businesses and communities across Essex, as Denise Rossiter, Chief Executive of the Essex Chambers of Commerce, comments:
“c2c provides an excellent, efficient service in connecting people and businesses across south Essex.
“We have been delighted to partner with the company on a successful initiative to boost visitor numbers to Southend, thus helping to support businesses, as well provide additional leisure opportunities for local people.
“Because it takes its corporate social responsibility so seriously, c2c is also a highly-valued partner more generally, contributing fully to efforts to deliver growth in the local economy and getting involved in our work with businesses and local authorities to improve the business environment in Essex for everyone.”
c2c is also proud to promote the smaller businesses in its local areas, with a recent example being Kara’s Kitchen at Shoeburyness station, the small local café business that gained online fame through c2c’s promotion of the RDG’s nationwide World Cup of Stations competition.
Kara McTaggart, owner of Kara’s Kitchen, said of c2c:
“Shoeburyness Station provides the overwhelming majority of my customers, as people travel across Essex and into London every day. The boost it provides to this part of the world is invaluable to myself and the businesses in Shoeburyness, as we always have people coming to enjoy the seaside and get away from the city for a while.
“I can honestly say that, as a business, the staff have always been easy and welcoming, and I would not be able to run my café without the service that c2c provides. It is thanks to the people that use the train every morning that I am able to expand my business and plan for the future.”
These comments are welcomed by c2c, said Rob Mullen:
“The wonderful comments made by Kara and Denise only highlight the impact c2c has on them and their businesses – and we are always thinking of new ways to positively impact our passengers’ local economies.”
The new report shows that the East of England has the UK’s third highest passenger benefits figure at £1.2bn, while the London region ranks as the highest at £5.5bn. c2c’s route covers both regions, therefore contributing significantly to the combined regional benefits.
In recent times, c2c has launched numerous projects aimed at pushing passenger experience to new heights. In October 2023, it launched its new fleet of 720 trains, which are more environmentally friendly and can carry more passengers.
In June 2024, c2c also appointed its first Accessibility Travel Manager, Steve Scutt. His role entails taking on responsibility for driving accessibility improvements across the c2c route, making sure the operator has accessible stations, trains and assets, as well as maintaining c2c’s relationship with external stakeholders such as The Rail Delivery Group and The Department for Transport.
Additionally, c2c was again named Britain’s best train operating company by the Rail User Survey just last month, which revealed that c2c was top for leaving passengers satisfied with their journeys overall.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
According to the RDG report, across the East of England passengers spend a reported £74 per complete journey (not including the fare), contributing £6.5bn annually to the local economy.
Furthermore, the impact of rail on businesses is only going to get bigger. According to further statistics from the RDG’s report, the rail industry could see 40% growth by 2035 – which would see the total value of passenger benefits raise by £15bn to a total of £46bn and have an economic impact of £7.7bn.
With the estimated 40% growth, the RDG’s report also shows that 320m hours of road congestion would be relieved by rail, on top of the existing 720m hours – while almost 1,100 additional casualties will be avoided on top of the 2,700 already avoided annually.
Darren Caplan, Chief Executive of the Railway Industry Association commented:
“The UK rail industry is a driver of economic growth and productivity, contributing around £40 billion to the economy and supporting nearly 650,000 jobs, with UK rail suppliers and manufacturers at the heart of this. RIA research commissioned by the consultancy Steer showed that passenger demand for rail travel will grow between 37% to 97% by 2050.
“It is therefore vital that we act now to be able to accommodate this growth by investing in new rail capacity which will unlock the economic, social, and environmental benefits in the decades ahead. We look forward to the Government providing clarity on a long-term strategy which will help UK rail suppliers and manufacturers in delivering a better railway in the future.”
About c2c
Images:
Featured image – ‘c2c Class 720 Train’
Additional images – ‘c2c Railway Line’ – ‘Kara’s Kitchen’
- c2c is the award-winning train operator running services between Fenchurch Street and Shoeburyness, serving 26 stations in East London and South Essex.
- Owned by Trenitalia, c2c is one of the UK’s most punctual and popular train operators and nearly 35.8 million journeys are made on its services every year.
- Italian-based Trenitalia is one of Europe’s leading rail operators and the passenger rail arm of FS Italiane Group.
- c2c remains staunchly committed to its local economies and businesses, often partnering with and promoting events across Essex, such as days at Adventure Island, sponsoring the land train at the Orsett Show and becoming the front of shirt sponsor of Southend United Football Club.
- For more information email mediaenquiries@c2crail.net