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I agree that in general the 323s that run run local services from Manchester Piccadilly travel around far too empty, but then if the central carriage was detached from them they wouldn't be of much use else where. I also don't understand why Alderley Edge gets so many local trains serving it.
I think for train routes to get investment then TOCs need to ensure that everyone travels with a valid ticket, to ensure that the actual number of passengers using a particular service is not a lot lower than what's recorded.
Transpennine Express boast on page 3 of all their current timetables that passenger numbers have increased by 5 million a year since they took over the franchisee from Arriva and as a consequence want their 185s to have additional carriages. While Arriva were discouraging some people from using the train with their staff always striking and trains always running late or being cancelled, the following are likely to have caused a big 'increase' in passengers:
* Introduction of ticketing byelaws meaning people who board at staffed stations are unable to purchase discounted tickets on board.
* More stations having staff checking passengers tickets including Warrington Central, Manchester Airport and Stockport.
* Installation of new ticket machines at stations allowing passengers to purchase tickets to ANY station rather than just a selection of stations. (Especially useful for TP Express as a lot of their services run throughout the night when tickets offices are likely to be closed)
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