§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many passenger rail coaches were in service in each of the last five years. [39036]
367W
§ Mr. Watts[holding answer 23 July 1996]: The number of passenger rail coaches 31 March in each of the last five years is as follows:
- 1992: 12,925
- 1993: 12,309
- 1994: 11,802
- 1995: 11,483
- 1996: 9,928
The declining trend is due mainly to the introduction of new rolling stock, which is of a higher seating capacity and is more efficient to use, permitting operators to replace older stock with fewer new units. The larger drop in 1996 arises because of changes to the statistical base. Prior to 1996, all British Rail vehicles were included in annual statistics. The 1996 figure includes only those currently in service with BR and franchise operators.