Network Rail reveal the profit behind charging travellers to use toilets

It’s the bug-bear of those travelling by train to the capital, and it’s a lucrative one – figures now reveal just how much Network Rail actually make from travellers paying to use toilet at their Rail Stations

The company, who run some of the biggest and busiest stations across the UK, and not just in the capital, have released stats to show just how much income they’ve made from pay-to-use toilet facilities. Most cost between 30-50p per person. The amounts listed were made between 2013-2015, and Network Rail argue that they re-invest most of the earnings into the maintenance and cleanliness of the facilities.

League table of Top Earning Station Toilet Facilities
1 London Victoria: £2,300,511
2 London Euston: £1,828,110
3 London Kings Cross: £1,394,795
4 London Paddington: £1,172,740
5 Manchester Piccadilly: £1,115,677
6 London Liverpool St: £1,007,414
7 Edinburgh Waverley: £752,194
8 Birmingham New Street: £702,533
9 London Charing Cross: £653,721
10 Glasgow Central: £601,478
11 Leeds: £544,976
12 Liverpool Lime Street: £402,680
13 London Bridge: £358,658

But, it’s been claimed in the media that the re-investment figures are not correct – with The Metro stating that their research shows just £115,525 was spent on London Victoria’s maintenance and staff costs through 2013/14, despite making £747,367 in that same time period. The Liverpool Echo have also reported that of the money made from Liverpool Lime Street station charging for convenience facilities, less than half of it was actually spent on the maintenance within the station.

However, Network Rail refutes these claims, saying  “The small charge we make for using the public toilet facilities in our stations helps to maintain them, ensures they are fully staffed and prevents misuse such as vandalism and other anti-social behaviour. Any profit from station toilets is reinvested in the railway and passenger facilities”.

It’s big bucks to spend a penny! Of course, you can always negate the problem by driving to these cities with other Liftshare members and avoiding the pay-to-use toilets at main stations, and avoid the delays, strikes and engineering works along with them!