FRESH efforts are being made to boost the use of the Felixstowe to Ipswich rail line to help get cars off the roads and reduce traffic congestion.Although the line is used by 240,000 passengers a year, rail campaigners believe there is huge scope for increasing usage of the hourly service.
FRESH efforts are being made to boost the use of the Felixstowe to Ipswich rail line to help get cars off the roads and reduce traffic congestion.
Although the line is used by 240,000 passengers a year, rail campaigners believe there is huge scope for increasing usage of the hourly service.
Members of the public transport campaign group ESTA Felixstowe and councillors went out distributing leaflets in the Trimley villages to publicise the service.
In conjunction with Passenger Focus - the national rail passenger watchdog - and the train operator, one railway, more than 1,500 leaflets were delivered to homes within 15 minutes walking distance of Trimley station.
The leaflets have full timetable and fares details.
Chairman of ESTA public transport committee and Trimley St Mary Parish Council, Bryan Frost said: “Now that the line is part of the East Suffolk Community Rail Partnership, we are redoubling our efforts to publicise our local service.
“Many people don't realise the service runs at hourly intervals throughout the day, and provides numerous onward travel opportunities at Ipswich, both to London and throughout East Anglia.”
ESTA member and county councillor, Graham Newman said: “Although the line is quite busy during peak times, we want to encourage greater use of off-peak services.
“At £3.30 for a cheap-day return to get from Trimley into Ipswich - which includes the bus journey to and from the town centre - it's much cheaper than travelling by car and paying for parking.”
Joining the community rail partnership should also provide the 12-mile line with a major promotion and marketing boost.
The scheme has been running on the route between Ipswich and Lowestoft for three years and initiatives have included improving the appearance of stations, and promoting an award-winning walks project.
Do you think travelling by train is good value for money? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail EveningStarLetters@eveningstar.co.uk
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