Virgin Trains’ Capital link for Liverpool

Virgin Trains has become an official partner of the Liverpool Culture Company. The deal will see Virgin Trains, which operates high speed, high quality train services between Liverpool and London, supporting Liverpool’s year-long celebration as Capital of Culture.

Virgin Trains Sales and Marketing Director said: “We are delighted to be supporting Liverpool and its community as an Official Partner of the prestigious Capital of Culture. There are going to be some amazing events in 2008 and we look forward to getting involved. And, Capital of Culture year is just the start, we are committed to improving the region for the long-term with more trains and slashed journey times from 2009.

“We are especially pleased that rail has become the travel mode of choice for journeys to and from London, with thousands of passengers voting with their feet and turning their back on domestic air routes.”

Councillor Warren Bradley, Leader of Liverpool City Council and Deputy Chairman, said: “Liverpool's year as European Capital of Culture is an amazing opportunity to showcase the city to the world. We're expecting millions of visitors to come and experience all the amazing events and attractions that we will have, so transport has a huge role to play in making the year a huge success. I'm delighted we have Virgin Trains on board with all its experience and expertise to help us achieve that goal.''

Jason Harborow, Chief Executive of Liverpool Culture Company, said: ''Virgin Trains are an ideal Official Partner for Liverpool 08. With regular access to their customer base, contacts and services we have a gold mine of routes to promote our year and cultural offer to a nationwide audience. The support of a major company as Virgin Trains is another sign of confidence from the business community that Liverpool 08 is an opportunity not to be missed.''

Earlier this year Virgin Trains confirmed that it has no plans to follow VLM’s example and quit the Liverpool-London route. Passengers can continue to ‘fly’ Virgin Trains between the two cities was Virgin’s clear message.

In the last six months alone passenger numbers have increased by a further 14% percent, with almost 20,000 journeys being made every week. In the same period the average fare paid has dropped by over 13% as more passenger take advantage of the cheaper advance fares on offer. Across its entire network Virgin Trains offers around 50,000 cheap tickets, but recently revealed that up to 10,000 each day are not bought.

Virgin currently operates 15 trains each way on weekdays on the Liverpool-London route. From 2009 we will be adding three more trains each way and around 25 minutes will be slashed from the journey time. Most trains will take just two hours and seven minutes to complete the 192 mile journey. The fastest train of the day will take just two hours. Over 340,000 extra sets will be provided on the Liverpool-London route every year and there will also be a more regular direct train service at weekends.

Chester will also get a new hourly train service to/from London which will provide connections from the Cheshire town to the Wirral and South Liverpool.

The Pendolino trains used on the Liverpool route emit on average 76% less carbon dioxide than domestic airlines it is hardly surprising that travellers are choosing the form of transport that does the least amount of damage to the environment.”

Virgin’s improved punctuality - last month the London-Liverpool route was Virgin’s most punctual West Coast route with 92% of trains arriving on time, or even early! - has increased the number of passengers using all of Virgin’s West Coast services. Numbers have increased by around 40 percent from 14 million to 20 million since 2003.

Passengers using Runcorn station are also set to benefit from improved facilities when a £500,000 plus improvement package is completed by January 2008. A First Class Lounge and Standard waiting area will be provided, served by a new refreshment area. The booking office and retail area will be moved and upgraded, and access improved for mobility impaired customers. Station staff will benefit from improved facilities. Improved cladding will enhance the exterior of the station building.

Virgin Trains is also supporting the current improvement works at the Liverpool’s main Lime Street station. This will result in some refurbishment of the main concourse and transfer of the taxi pick-up point to the Skelhorn Street side of the station, nearer to the platforms used by Virgin’s London trains. The company is also working with Merseytravel and Network Rail to provide a new First Class Lounge and information point for its passengers at the station and these should be ready by Easter next year.

Information last updated: 20 September 2007, 13:21