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Archive
2003-11-04 ANG-001
Anglia Railways
Record numbers of passengers flock to Bittern Line
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Press release
Anglia Railways
Record numbers of passengers flock to Bittern Line
Record numbers of passengers flocked to Anglia Railways' Bittern Line train services this summer, with the line recording its highest ever number of passengers.
Well over 50,000 passenger journeys were made during August alone on the line which runs from Norwich to Sheringham - an increase of over 12,000 passenger journeys compared to last year!
Overall passenger growth on the Bittern Line this year is currently 16.7%.
Much of the credit for the increase in passenger numbers rests with the proactive and positive work of the Bittern Line Community Rail Partnership, which has made great strides in promoting the train service as well as working with train operator Anglia Railways to improve services, create links with local attractions and businesses, set up guided walks and cycle hire from stations and improve the appearance of stations with flower displays and better signage.
Another factor is the introduction of Anglia Railways' new late night services on the Bittern Line which have already attracted over 10,000 passengers since their introduction in May.
The additional trains are the result of a £110K joint funding package between Anglia Railways, East of England Development Agency, Norfolk County Council and the Bittern Line Community Rail Partnership and are operating on a one year trial basis, continuing throughout the winter 2003/2004 timetable.
The two additional evening services operate between Norwich and Sheringham and return on Mondays to Saturdays departing from Norwich to Sheringham at 19.56 and 22.45, and returning from Sheringham to Norwich at 21.03 and 23.47. If this initiative is successful - like many other Bittern Line improvements - the extra trains will become a standard addition to the timetable.
Anglia Railways' communications manager, Kerri Howard, said, "The Bittern Line continues to go from strength to strength and the renaissance of local train services is a real success story. The approach of the Bittern Line Community Rail Partnership in attractively marketing and branding the route, combined with service improvements and integrated transport initiatives offers people a real choice for transport in rural areas. Such positive initiatives have been fully endorsed by the increase in passenger journeys and interest in the route."
"Anglia Railways continues to show that by working with our partners and combining resources, it is possible to secure greater levels of funding and investment to pursue initiatives with the aim of making the train an attractive and cost-effective alternative to the car, even in rural areas."
Railnews Archive ::: 2003-11-04 ANG-001
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