RAIL bosses are failing to do enough to learn about train passengers, the North-East's rail watchdog has claimed.

Previewing its annual report launched next week, the North-East Rail Passengers Committee (RPC) said it was alarmed and concerned at the "colossal lack of information" about passengers.

It said that with the rail industry on the brink of another major reorganisation and new rail franchises about to be awarded in the region, there was still very little known about where people were actually travelling to and from.

Chairman Christine Knights said: "It seems that no single organisation has a complete picture of who uses the railway, and what little information does exist tends not to look beyond specific routes."

The RPC's annual report, due to be published next Wednesday, will highlight a number of issues affecting train passengers and is also expected to criticise a lack of investment in the North-East rail network.