CARDIFF TRAIN STATION SCOOPS NATIONAL RAIL OSCAR

Cardiff Central Railway Station has been named the UK’s ‘best large station’ by rail industry experts.

Cardiff Station - Winning Team Arriva Trains Wales, which operates the station, received the award at last night’s (Thursday 7 September 2006) National Rail Awards in London, the rail industry’s leading awards scheme.

High up on the judges score sheet was the friendly attitude of the 40 station staff members and their detailed knowledge of the complex Welsh rail network and this received a special mention at the awards ceremony.

Cardiff Central Station catered for eight million passengers last year. Up to 31,000 passengers pass through the station in a single day for Millennium Stadium events.

Arriva Trains Wales introduced new ticket-gated entry at the station in June 2006 which has increased station security and reduced the number of people travelling without a ticket, a well-known frustration for fare-paying customers. Other improvements include new self-serve customer ticket machines and new departure and arrival screens.

Cyril Howe, Cardiff Central station manager for Arriva Trains Wales, who collected the award at the Grovenor House Hotel in London, said: “We are excited that Cardiff Central Station has been named the UK’s best large station and it’s a credit to a whole team of people who play a part in making the station run smoothly.

“The National Rail Awards are effectively the Oscars of the railway industry and the panel of judges include many experienced and high profile railway people. Their visits are anonymous so you never know when they might be assessing the station.”

Cardiff Central Station fought off competition from Aberdeen and Stockport railway stations which received runners-up spots in the UK’s ‘best large station’ category.