Reading Station has been identified as one of the busiest stations in the UK.

The Office for Rail and Road released data showing that between April 2023 and March 2024, Reading had 13.5 million entries and exits.

This makes it the third ‘most used’ and busiest stations in the South East.

This puts it below Gatwick Airport and Brighton, but ahead of Oxford, Woking, and Guildford in the South East rankings.

Nationally, Reading is the ninth most-used station outside London, although it slipped from eighth place last year.

The busiest stations outside the capital include Manchester Piccadilly, Birmingham New Street, and Glasgow Central.

Feras Alshaker, director of planning and performance at the Office for Rail and Road, said: "These statistics provide crucial insights for passengers, the rail industry and its stakeholders and demonstrate clearly how travel patterns are changing across the country.

"Alongside our rail usage statistics they show that since the pandemic rail usage continues to increase and that the investment put into the Elizabeth line is fundamentally reshaping passenger journeys into and around London."

Reading's closeness to London has made it a key commuting hub, with trains running frequently to and from the capital.

The station is also a major interchange, with services operated by Great Western Railway, South Western Railway, and CrossCountry.

The Elizabeth line, which opened fully in May 2023, has also increased train frequencies into London.

The Office for Rail and Road's data shows that the Elizabeth line has massively increased station usage, reshaping passenger journeys into and around London.

Nationally, London Liverpool Street station retained its position as the most used in the UK across 2023-24.

With Reading's strategic location and excellent connectivity, the station's high usage reflects the town's importance as a commercial and residential centre.