Anglia Railways

New Bittern Line evening services hailed a success!
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date 25 September 2003
source Anglia Railways
type Press release

Anglia Railways has recorded its 5,000th passenger on the new Bittern Line late evening services, within just four months of their introduction!

The passenger was Nikki Shanahan, from North Walsham, who was boarding the 19.56 Bittern Line service from Norwich to Sheringham on Monday 22nd September. Nikki uses the new service every day to travel back to North Walsham after working in Norwich.

Nikki was presented with a certificate and a prize (free weekend travel on the Bittern Line until the end of the year) by Norwich station duty manager, Stephen Dey.

The new late evening Bittern Line train services were introduced on 18 May 2003 thanks to an innovative joint funding package with contributions from Anglia Railways, the East of England Development Agency, Norfolk County Council and the Bittern Line Community Rail Partnership.

The additional trains are operating on a one-year trial basis 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 passenger numbers continue to grow it is hoped that the extra trains will become a standard addition to the timetable.

The additional services will also continue to run during the winter 2003/04 timetable.

The total funding package represents an investment of around £110k and is particularly aimed at tackling social exclusion - enabling passengers in rural North Norfolk to enjoy an evening out in Norwich - and in the promotion of local tourism on later trains on the Bittern Line. The trains will also provide a later opportunity for Bittern Line travellers to return from London Liverpool Street at 20.30 in the evening.

Commenting on the Bittern Line's success in attracting 5,000 passengers to the service, Anglia Railways' communications manager, Kerri Howard, said, "The introduction of the new late evening trains on the Bittern Line is proving to be a real success, as the fast growth in passenger numbers demonstrates. Thanks to Anglia Railways' partnership with EEDA, Norfolk County Council and the Bittern Line Partners, this further enhancement to train service frequency is providing real benefits for the people of North Norfolk and is helping to support and promote local economies."

Railhub Archive ::: 2003-09-25 ANG-001