There is a big demand for rail travel, both nationally and locally. For commuters especially, it is an attractive option as the roads grow more and more congested and car journeys take longer. It’s estimated that some routes in West Yorkshire have seen a 13 per cent increase in passenger numbers in the last 12 months.

That is good news for the environment. Northern Rail largely attributes it to measures to make rail travel safer by clamping down on anti-social and drunk-and-disorderly behaviour. It seems that the message is getting across to the travelling public, reinforced by last week’s high-profile case in which a man was jailed for three and a half years for beating a conductor at Saltaire.

If people are able to feel that they won’t be harassed, attacked or molested as they wait on platforms or travel on trains, they are more likely to entrust themselves to the railways. As the perception spreads that rail travel is safe, more people are likely to feel reassured enough to give it a try.

However, solving one problem can sometimes create another. Trains on many local routes are already overcrowded, particularly at peak times. If more passenger use them, carriages will become even more congested.

The need for greater capacity is growing more urgent by the day if rail travel is to be made not only safe but more comfortable.