The DfT figures were based on passenger counts taken on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between September and December 2025, and represent travel on a typical autumn weekday.

Overcrowding fell slightly overall compared with autumn 2024, with an average of 16,800 (1%) passengers a day travelling in excess of capacity.

The DfT said seating capacity has grown 4% in the past year.

A spokesperson said: "The vast majority of passengers – 98.9% – typically travel on services that are not overcrowded.

"Where there are pinch points during peak hours, work is under way to improve capacity. GTR has added carriages to its busiest commuter services, while South Western Railway has boosted capacity by nearly 30% in the last year with new trains.

"Bringing track and train together under Great British Railways will support further improvements, helping create a joined-up service that puts passengers first."

A quarter of passengers travelling in and out of London at peak times had to stand. But in other cities, only 5% of passengers could not get a seat.

A Thameslink spokesperson said its trains were designed to have ample standing room on board its busiest commuter routes.

"We are always monitoring how busy our services are and continually make changes to provide more space.

"In the last few years alone, we've lengthened trains on some of our busiest Bedford to London services and introduced an additional peak-time service to provide more choice and extra space."