It's the quiet time between Christmas and the New Year.  Personally, I'm taking my annual holiday so I'm on line (and hearing of any interesting post too!), but not able to pop down to the station at all and do the odd passenger count.   I suspect they would be seasonally low.

I'm also taking the opportunity to put together a more detailed case - especially as I heard from First on 20th December that no final decisions have been taken - and I'll be posting it upon my return, first weekend in the new year.