Rail passenger numbers plummet following Omicron outbreak

Demand for rail travel has plummeted since the emergence of the Omicron coronavirus strain, new figures show.

Passenger numbers were at 53% of pre-pandemic levels on Monday, according to preliminary statistics from the Department for Transport.

That is down from 61% a week earlier, and 68% on Monday December 6.

People in England have been advised to work from home since Monday December 13, bringing the country in line with the rest of the UK.

Rail travel has also been hit by hundreds of services being cancelled this week due to pandemic-related staff shortages.

Despite the fall in passenger numbers, the Department for Transport earlier this month announced a 3.8% ticket price increase in England from March 1 - the largest fare rise in nearly a decade.

Increases are normally implemented on the first working day of every year, but have been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Bus use in Britain outside London was at 62% of pre-virus levels on Monday, down from 78% a week earlier.

Road traffic has remained relatively stable in recent weeks.