Surge in over 60s on trains as baby boomers embrace active retirement
01/06/2010
- 50,000 journeys a day with Senior Railcard
- 42% increase in journeys with Senior Railcards since 2004
- Most active over 60s in Reading, Darlington, Lincoln and York
The over 60s are taking to the railways in record numbers as people remain increasingly active well into their old age, according to new figures published today.
Figures produced by the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) show that journeys using the Senior Railcard have leapt by 42% since 2004. Over 60s have made almost 20m journeys over the last year with the Senior Railcard – equivalent to more than 50,000 a day.
Train companies have put the rise down to the baby boom generation turning 60, meaning greater numbers of older people who stay fit and active for longer, and the appeal of the Senior Railcard that gives anyone aged 60 or over a discount of a third off train travel.
Analysis suggests that Britain’s most active older people on the railways can be found in Reading, where 5,751 people, roughly equivalent to a quarter of all over 60s from the city, bought Senior Railcards during the last 12 months. The other areas that topped the sales tables for Senior Railcards include:
- Darlington: 4,150 sales (roughly equivalent to 17.4% of 60+ population)
- Lincoln: 2,970 sales (16.7%)
- York: 7,188 sales (16.6%)
- Newcastle: 8,506 sales (15.7%)
- Stafford: 4,999 (15.3%)
- Woking: 2,806 (15%)
Michael Roberts, Chief Executive of ATOC, said: “By and large older people nowadays are fitter, healthier and more active than has ever been the case before. The baby boomer generation that grew up in the 50s and 60s isn’t going to grow old quietly and it’s good news that they’re choosing rail to get around the country.
“Whether it’s a journey to visit friends and family or a day trip to another part of the country, increasing numbers of older people are choosing the train as the way to get to their destination.
“The Senior Railcard gives passengers a third off the price of most tickets and is a great way for over 60s to get about cheaply, quickly and in comfort.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
Full table of journeys, dating back over the last six financial years, is below:
Year Senior Railcard Journeys Senior Railcards sold
2004/05 13,584,136 701,640
2005/06 14,212,941 750,251
2006/07 14,899,928 816,544
2007/08 16,374,275 880,270
2008/09 18,223,365 942,006
2009/10 19,290,992 963,965
Recorded figures of Senior Railcards go back to 1992/93 and in that period have never been higher than the most recent levels.
- Using the number of Railcards bought at each station for the financial year 2009/10, and mid 2008 population estimates for over 60s broken down by local authority boundary (supplied by Age UK), ATOC has estimated the number of Senior Railcard users per head of 60+ population in and around the UK’s cities and main towns.
- Senior Railcards offer anyone aged 60 or over a third off standard and First Class rail travel and cost £26 for a year. It can be used at any time, except at morning peak times Monday to Friday within London and the South East. Three year Railcards are also now available online, costing £65. Go to www.Senior-Railcard.co.uk for more information.
- For more information visit www.atoc.org
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