The Association of Train Operators has said that ‘a generation of young people’ has turned to rail travel as ‘rocketing motoring costs’ have made cars an ‘unaffordable luxury’.
Figures published by ATOC show that ‘record numbers of young people’ have a 16-25 Railcard and their journeys have increased by 60% since 2007.
There were over 1.2million 16-25 Railcard holders last year, almost a third higher than the 950,000 who had a Railcard in 2005.
Figures also show that there were almost 250,000 fewer 17 to 25-year olds taking their driving test last year than in 2005, an 18% drop.
Edward Welsh, a spokesperson for ATOC said:
“A generation of 16-25 year olds has been quick to see train travel as an affordable, reliable alternative to a car that has the added bonus of never having to worry about asking mates to chip in with petrol money.”
