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Passenger Demand Forecasting Handbook

Passenger Demand Forecasting Handbook

Passenger Demand Forecasting Handbook

Passenger Demand Forecasting Handbook

The Passenger Demand Forecasting Handbook (PDFH) is the rail industry's principal source of guidance on passenger demand forecasting.

Developed and maintained through the Passenger Demand Forecasting Scheme, it brings together decades of research and evidence on how rail demand is affected by factors such as fares, service quality, journey times, economic conditions and wider external influences.

It is widely recognised as the industry's authoritative reference for demand forecasting and is used by train operators, government bodies, consultants and other rail stakeholders.

How is the PDFH used?

The PDFH provides a consistent, evidence-based framework for understanding and forecasting changes in passenger demand and revenue. It supports a wide range of industry activities, including:
Investment appraisal
Building the case for rail investment
Pricing decisions
Setting fares with confidence
Timetabling and operating decisions
Planning services around demand
Business planning and budgeting
Forecasting revenue and resources

Keeping the PDFH up to date

The PDFH is maintained through an ongoing programme of industry research commissioned by the Passenger Demand Forecasting Scheme. This ensures that the guidance remains relevant, robust and aligned with the latest available evidence and industry best practice. The current edition is PDFH Version 6.1.

Accessing the PDFH

Access to the PDFH is available to Full and Associate Members of the Passenger Demand Forecasting Scheme through the Scheme Members Area, alongside supporting research, presentations and other forecasting resources.

For more information about Scheme Membership please visit the following links:

Members of the PDF Scheme
Scheme Benefits and How to Join

Training and Support

The Passenger Demand Forecasting Scheme periodically offers PDFH training courses and workshops to help practitioners understand and apply the Handbook. These sessions are designed for both new and experienced forecasting professionals and are available separately from Scheme membership.

Contact us

All enquiries will be directed to the appropriate member of the Scheme team.

For further information on the Passenger Demand Forecasting Scheme, including participation, research outputs and guidance, please contact:
pdfc.support@raildeliverygroup.com
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