RAILWAY passengers have welcomed moves to restore the winter Sunday train services between Ipswich and Felixstowe, a study has revealed.The East Suffolk Travellers' Association's survey showed the service – restored in September for the first time in over 35 years – has delighted rail users.
RAILWAY passengers have welcomed moves to restore the winter Sunday train services between Ipswich and Felixstowe, a study has revealed.
The East Suffolk Travellers' Association's survey showed the service – restored in September for the first time in over 35 years – has delighted rail users.
Most of the 150 Sunday passengers questioned who travelled on the Felixstowe line were happy with the service.
The survey also showed 90 percent of journeys were made for shopping, leisure and personal or family reasons.
A third used it for a longer journey including travelling to London, although some questioned were heading for Manchester, Durham and Newcastle.
"This clearly shows that there is a need for the service – the important thing is for people to know it is running," said Charles Taylor from the Felixstowe East Suffolk Travellers' Association.
"It has just been introduced for the first time since the mid-60s and it will take time for people to get to know about."
Mr Taylor said his only concern was that the first train of the day did not leave Felixstowe until 11.11am.
"That doesn't really give people from Felixstowe the chance to have a day out in London or somewhere further afield. Eventually we would like to see an earlier train," he said.
The winter service followed Anglia's success in securing a Rail Passenger Partnership grant of £1 million from the Strategic Rail Authority.
Tim Clarke, Anglia Railway's managing director, said: "I am very grateful to the East Suffolk Travellers Association with this survey which underlines the social need for new and extended train services on routes such as the Ipswich to Felixstowe line.
"Anglia Railway's success in securing Rail Passenger Partnership funding for this and other local service improvements is helping to tackle social exclusion and develop train services across the region."
Weblink:
www.angliarailways.co.uk
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