Virgin Trains ‘flies the flag’ for Liverpool ‘08

07 November 2007

Virgin Trains has reinforced its position as a sponsor of Liverpool’s European Capital of Culture Year with a commemorative graphic on its ‘City of Liverpool’ Pendolino train. The specially commissioned image, which features the Virgin Trains and Liverpool ’08 logos against an iconic Liverpool skyline, was unveiled at the City’s Lime Street station today by television producer and Liverpool ’08 Deputy Chairman Phil Redmond.

Virgin Trains Managing Director, Chris Gibb said: “Everyone at Virgin Trains, and especially our staff based at Liverpool and Runcorn, is extremely proud of our support for Liverpool’s European Capital of Culture Year. Not only will our ‘City of Liverpool’ Pendolino be a regular visitor to the City’s Lime Street station, it will also promote the Liverpool ’08 message to London, the West Midlands, North Wales, Manchester, Cumbria and Scotland.”

Following the train unveiling Phil Redmond issued special Liverpool ’08 namebadges to Virgin Trains staff. He said: “It is fantastic to have Virgin Trains as our latest sponsor, especially as this will mean both regular and permanent reminders for everyone travelling the West Coast lines that they are always within easy reach of not just the European Capital of Culture, but also the long-recognised centre of the cultural universe.”

Chris Gibb added: “There are going to be some amazing events in 2008 and we look forward to being 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.”

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.

The City of Liverpool train was then flagged away on its journey to London by the Lord Mayor of Liverpool.

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 seats 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, so it is hardly surprising that travellers are choosing the form of transport that does the least amount of damage to the environment,” said Chris Gibb.

Virgin Trains is also supporting the current improvement works at 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.

Notes to Editors

Ø Virgin Trains is the brand name of Virgin Rail Group.

Ø Virgin Rail Group is owned 51 percent by Virgin Group and 49 percent by Stagecoach.

Ø Whilst the refurbishment work of the concourse at Liverpool Lime Street station takes place, the existing Virgin Information Point will be temporary moved to a location between platforms 7 and 8.

Ø Virgin Trains fares from Liverpool to London start from just £12.50 for a Value Advance single ticket. First Class Value Advance single fares start at £30.50. Value Advance fares are available up to 12 weeks before travel right up to 18:00 the day before travel, subject to availability. Walk-up off peak and fully flexible travel anytime tickets are also available.

Ø Virgin’s Pendolino trains – used on the Liverpool-London route - offer an onboard shop selling everything from fresh coffee to books and magazines, power points for charging mobile phones and laptops; at seat audio entertainment with up to 14 channels to suit all tastes and a Quiet Zone in both Standard and First Class accommodation. All trains have designated wheelchair areas and priority seats are available for mobility impaired passengers.

Ø Passengers travelling First Class on Mondays to Fridays can enjoy a wide range of complimentary refreshments, appropriate to the time of day, including our Great British Breakfast on early morning trains. Our enhanced Primo First Class service is offered on the 07:07 Liverpool-London and 15:17, 17:17 and 18:17 London-Liverpool trains.

Ø Liverpool expects to attract an estimated 1.7 million visitors in 2008. More details of events in the City can be found at http://www.liverpool08.com/.