Train travel is vital for local economies with passengers spending billions of pounds each year, according to new research commissioned by the rail sector.
Annual expenditure by train passengers in Britain is £23 billion at high street stores and £9 billion at independent businesses, the study funded by industry body the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) estimated.
Some 70% of respondents to a survey conducted for the report said having a train station helps local businesses in their area thrive.
Passengers spend an average of around £7 each before every departure at independent businesses in or near stations, such as through buying a coffee, having a haircut or purchasing a gift.
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