(DFT) Passengers set for faster more convenient rail services

A new train service enabling thousands of Kent commuters to leave their cars behind and travel to London on high speed trains will lead to faster, more convenient journeys for rail passengers and boost the local economy, Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon said today.

Mr Hoon was visiting the region today to discuss the potential of bringing Crossrail services to the Thames Gateway area. The Government is working closely with councils and local stakeholders to safeguard a route there.

Whilst there, he also viewed plans for two new domestic rail platforms at Ebbsfleet station and an extended 9,000 space park-and-ride facility - both set to open in December 2009 - which will help slash journey times for rail passengers.
Inspecting the progress of work at the station, Geoff Hoon said:

"Ebbsfleet has successfully served high speed international rail services for some time now and I am delighted passengers on domestic services travelling into London and to the South East coast are about to benefit from faster journey times.

"The Government has committed £51 million to develop transport in the region and this is just one of many schemes we are supporting, including a number of local road improvement schemes and the 'Fastrack' bus service - which I also viewed during my visit to the area - which now carries more than 1.5million passengers every year."

The Secretary of State also met with local councillors and was accompanied on his tour of Ebbsfleet and the Fastrack bus service by Dartford MP Howard Stoate.