MP endorses new railway travel centre (Cambridge Liberal Democrats)

Cambridge Liberal Democrats <camlibdems@gmail.com>

MP endorses new railway travel centre

September 24, 2008 2:07 PM

David Howarth endorses new railway travel centre A smart new travel centre, offering a one-stop shop for passengers, has officially opened at Cambridge Railway Station with the endorsement of the town's MP David Howarth.

The centre, part of an £80,000 joint investment between train operator First Capital Connect and National Express, will handle advance ticket sales and enquiries from passengers.

It is designed to ease the number of passengers passing through the main ticket office and provides a "travel agent feel" to the area.

Trainseurope is based at the centre allowing travellers to book international tickets and Hertz rental car also has a base there.

The station refurbishment includes a new waiting room and improvements to the existing one, including wood panelling and marble floors, and new ticket barriers.

Mr Howarth also officially opened the new AMT coffee shop on the station during his visit on Wednesday, September 10.

And he presented a bouquet to the centre's 100th visitor, Rachel Gahutu, on a four week visit to the area from the Netherlands.

He said: "This new investment endorses train travel as the transport for the future. The new centre makes it easier for travellers to see the train as a viable alternative to air travel, which can only help to cut carbon emissions."

Stuart Towler, East Anglia's head of customer and retail services at National Express, said: "We have tried to give the centre a travel agent feel and we have been able to achieve so much more by working in partnership with First Capital Connect."

Mr Howarth added: "I am sure travellers will find the new centre a great benefit. Hopefully they will find it much easier to access travel information and will be able to book train tickets to virtually any destination from their home town."