THE number of people using train to commute into Bradford city centre plummeted last year, according to new figures.

There was a 19 per cent drop in the numbers of people travelling into the city in morning peak times between 2016 and 2017. It means that just 6.1 per cent of people who travel to the city centre in that period opted to do so by train.

A spokesman for a local rail user’s group believes that poor service and the threat of delays and strikes have led to many rail users permanently abandoning train commuting in favour of driving.

Later today members of Bradford Council’s Regeneration and Environment will be given an update on upcoming rail projects in the district, and current rail patronage levels.

A report going to the committee will reveal that commuting by train lags far behind driving to work in the morning, the option of 74 per cent of commuters, and travelling by bus - 15.2 per cent.

Overall 15.96 million journeys were made to/from stations within the district in 2016/2017, an increase of 4.3 per cent over the previous year.

James Vasey, of the Bradford Rail Users’ Group said: “Things like the timetable debacle, issues with trains not turning up on time and the poor train stock do knock people’s confidence.

“People think ‘ I’ll just get a lift’ if the service isn’t good.

“After a while they just make the decision to stop commuting by train and driving to work.

“As soon as you start losing people to cars, where they can be warm, comfortable and not have someone’s elbow sticking in you, then you have lost them for good.”

He said recent strikes and timetable issues were likely to put off more commuters, meaning the number getting the train to work could fall again in the coming year.

Only improved trains and a better service could help win back rail commuters, he said.

The report gives several updates on rail projects happening in the district, including the refurbishment of Bradford Forster Square Station and Bradford Interchange.

It says the Forster Square plans are more advanced, and will see a fully enclosed station, provision of new lifts, a café, toilets, and pods that sit within the existing station arches offering facilities such as cycle storage and retail provision.

The report adds: “The budget for this scheme is in the region of £17m and we are seeking to increase the scope of the project to deliver more transformational impacts. We are working with West Yorkshire Combined Authority/Leeds City Region partners to secure additional funding through the Transforming Cities Fund - with the aim of completing the project by 2021.

Planning is currently underway on how to improve Bradford Interchange.

The West Yorkshire Plus Transport Fund will also fund schemes to boost car park capacity at a number of rail stations. Plans include creating single level/decked parking at Shipley and Steeton & Silsden train stations. The report says; “Detailed design is underway and provided the schemes prove to be affordable and are approved by Network Rail, they should be delivered by 2020.”