Government agrees contract for new rail passenger database

The Government has signed a deal with Capita Symonds to create a new Rail Passenger Counts Database (RPCD).

The £1.9m contract comprises the development of a new database for the collation, management and reporting of rail passenger figures for 23 train operating companies which have contracts with the Department for Transport (DfT).

The DfT hopes the new database will give it an insight into the usage and volumes of passenger traffic across the rail network, allowing hotspots and trends, expenditure to be targeted more effectively.

Although the counts will initially be made up of automated counting mechanisms and manual count data, the data quality will improve over time as all new rolling stock will soon be required to have automated passenger counting mechanisms installed.

Andy Wall, director of innovations at Capita Symonds, said: “This is a great win for the team which is based upon the DfT’s confidence in our ability to deliver complex projects of this nature in a timely and cost-effective manner.

“This project gives Capita Symonds a high profile software development project within the DfT and it is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate our capabilities by ensuring a successful and timely delivery.”