Train operators across Britain have spent more than £13 million on taxis to move staff around the country, according to figures compiled through freedom of information requests. The data indicates that staff made more than 395,000 taxi bookings from January 2025 onward, highlighting the scale of the extra transport costs facing the rail industry.
The spending was linked to disruption on the rail network, with operators turning to taxis when train services were not available or could not be used. One reported reason was that an alternative rail option was considered "too cold," a detail that has drawn attention to how decisions were made when arranging staff travel.
The figures are likely to raise questions about efficiency and how train companies manage operational problems when normal services are disrupted. Using taxis to reposition workers may help keep services running, but the number of journeys and the total cost suggest a significant reliance on road transport even within the rail sector.
The disclosures add to wider scrutiny of railway spending in Britain, especially when operators are dealing with delays, cancellations and staffing pressures. While disruption can force companies to make short-notice arrangements, the latest totals show how quickly those emergency travel costs can mount.
