Date: 05 Nov 2007 11:11
Chiltern Railways won ‘Station of the Year’ at the National Cycle Rail Awards for Haddenham and Thame Parkway and was highly commended for ‘Train Operator of the Year’.
The awards recognise the progress made by the rail industry and associated organisations towards encouraging integrated cycle and train travel.
Judges commended Haddenham and Thame Parkway for successfully listening to and building relationships with the local community, in order to deliver a service that reflects their needs.
Chairman of Chiltern Railways, Adrian Shooter said: “From speaking to our passengers, we understand the need to provide for those who wish to combine bike and rail travel. We’re delighted by this award, but we’re not complacent and realise that there’s still much more to do.”
With more than 60% of the population living within a 15 minute cycle ride of a railway station, the awards, which have been running since 2004, also honour excellence in customer service, innovation and individuals whose contribution makes a real difference to cyclists wishing to use the rail network. The awards were held on 25th October 2007 at the Novotel Hotel in Euston.
Transport Minister Tom Harris said: "We are all working towards a sustainable, integrated transport network that allows people real choices in the way they travel. Bringing bike and rail services together is an important element in achieving that goal. I congratulate all the entrants in this competition for their hard work making integrated bike and rail travel a reality. Their achievements are an example for the rest of the industry to follow.”
George Muir, ATOC’s Director General, said: “Much is being achieved to integrate bike and rail travel but we recognise the need to maintain momentum and do even more. All involved with the awards wish to continue to recognise and reward improvement – and to incentivise yet more improvements that make rail easier for cyclists to use. I congratulate all the finalists and winners on their deserved success in winning these awards.”
Key facts about bike and rail
• More than 60% of the population live within a 15 minute ride of a railway station - around one third of households do not own a car.
• More than 50% of households possess at least one bicycle.
• Nearly 4 in 5 stations have some form of cycle parking (Source: DfT/CTC Survey 2003) - 85% of the busiest stations and 71% of medium sized stations have cycle parking facilities.
• The carriage of bicycles is FREE on most train operators - folding bicycles are carried on any train at any time free of charge.
• ATOC publishes a useful National Rail guide called “Cycling by Train” which provides regularly updated information on a TOC by TOC basis of rail-cycling information. It is available at railway stations or online at: www.nationalrail.co.uk
• Cycle hire facilities are now available at a growing number of stations – examples include Bath, Brockenhurst, Lancaster, Cromer, North Walsham and Southminster.
• Most cycle storage facilities at train stations are protected by CCTV cameras.
• Cycles can be carried on all train operators’ services outside of some peak hour services in.
• Bicycles can generally be carried without reservation - and go free on most train services.
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For further media information please contact the Chiltern Railways press office on 0207 3333014 or press@chilternrailways.co.uk.
