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Become an Associate Member

Become an Associate Member

Become an Associate Member

Passenger Demand Forecasting Scheme Membership

The Passenger Demand Forecasting (PDF) Scheme brings together train operators, government bodies, consultancies, universities and other stakeholders with an interest in rail demand forecasting. Membership provides access to industry-leading resources, research, events and a network of forecasting professionals, supporting evidence-based forecasting, planning and decision-making across the rail industry.
Why Join the Scheme?
Access Industry-Leading Resources
Gain access to the Scheme Members Area, including the latest Passenger Demand Forecasting Handbook (PDFH), research reports, economic forecasts, presentations, recordings and other exclusive resources that support forecasting, planning, appraisal and decision-making.
Stay at the Forefront of Research
Keep up to date with the latest developments in rail demand forecasting through research commissioned by the Passenger Demand Forecasting Council (PDFC) and other industry bodies.
Build Your Professional Network
Connect with train operators, government bodies, consultancies, academics and other rail industry stakeholders working in forecasting and analysis.
Learn from Industry Experts
Attend Scheme meetings, workshops and member events featuring presentations on forecasting research, industry trends and best practice.
Membership Types:
Associate Membership
Ideal for consultancies, suppliers, universities, and other organisations with an interest in rail demand forecasting. Associate Members gain access to the Scheme's research, resources and events, helping them stay at the forefront of industry forecasting developments. Associate Members can also bid for, and lead research studies commissioned through the Scheme, providing opportunities to contribute directly to the industry's forecasting evidence base.

The membership charges for organisations becoming Associates during the year to 31 March 2027 can be found in the below section
Full Membership
Full Members receive all Associate Membership benefits and play a greater role in shaping the direction of the Scheme. In addition, Full Members can participate in research steering groups, helping guide the development and delivery of Scheme research, and have access to a dedicated version of MOIRA for forecasting and analysis purposes. Please contact us on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to discuss Full Membership eligibility and fees.

The charging structure

The membership charges for organisations becoming Associates during the year to 31 March 2027 are as follows:
Organisation sizeCost
Large (15+ full-time equivalent employees)
£6,040 per annum
Medium (3-14 FTE employees)
£2,860 per annum
Small (1-2 FTE employees) and Academics
£860 per annum
Rail Delivery Group
Rail Delivery Group
What Our Members Say:
“Associate membership of the PDFS has, and continues to, provide Steer with unparalleled access to revenue and demand experts and insight across rail. This helps build the knowledge and skills of our team, meaning we are better placed to provide support to clients both within and outside of the rail industry.”
Mark Brownie, Associate, Steer
“I’ve attended PDFC both as an associate and then later as a full member for approaching 25 years. Over this time I’ve seen the planning and development of research programmes, and updates to the PDFH. As a full member I’ve been able to help drive the continual improvement to PDFH to enhance any areas of weakness, and have seen how PDFC has reacted to the Covid pandemic. As a full member I have shared my organisation’s research plans and work to enhance cross-industry collaboration. PDFC and PDFH is unique across transport modes in the UK, and offers a level of detail and advice envied by those outside rail, which we should value very highly as the rail market continues to evolve into the future. I cannot commend it enough.”
Robert Fickling, Rail Strategy Advisor, Transport for the North

How to Join?

Whether you are a train operator, consultant, academic institution, supplier or public sector organisation, we would be pleased to discuss the most appropriate membership option for your organisation.

To find out more about membership, eligibility and fees, please contact:

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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