Cycle to Work by Train

LONDON -

ATTN: Broadcast and Print in Staffordshire, Cheshire and Greater Manchester

Virgin Trains is to become one of the first flagship Bike ‘n’ Ride train companies in the country following GBP1m joint funding from the Department for Transport and Cycling England.

A total of 540 additional cycle storage spaces at stations are to be shared between Stafford, Stoke-on-Trent, Macclesfield, Stockport and Manchester Piccadilly. Plans are also being drawn up for a cycle hire scheme at Manchester Piccadilly allowing commuters working in the city to complete their journeys by bike.

At Stoke-on-Trent where an extra 210 spaces will be created, Virgin Trains is working very closely with the local authority in a scheme to encourage 52% of passengers to arrive at the station by sustainable means of transport.

James Wright, Cycle Rail Project Manager for Virgin Trains said today: “Today’s announcement is all about encouraging sustainable travel for commuters and students, By providing more cycle storage at stations along the “Potteries” rail corridor together with a cycle hire scheme at Manchester Piccadilly it will be possible to have bike-train-bike journeys - a very environmentally sustainable and convenient way of travelling.”

Notes to Editors

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Virgin Trains is the brand name of Virgin Rail Group. We have operated the West Coast passenger train franchise since 1997; the current franchise runs to March 2012.

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

Virgin Trains has been voted Best Rail Company by Travel Weekly magazine. In 2009 the company was voted Best UK Domestic Train Service by Business Traveller magazine for the second year running.

Virgin Trains has been awarded the Global Travel Awards 2009 ‘Best Rail Operator’ Category as voted by Evening Standard readers.

For further media information contact the Virgin Trains Press Office on +44-(0)845-000-3333 or visit our Media Room website at mediaroom.virgintrains.co.uk

Source: Virgin Trains

For further media information contact the Virgin Trains Press Office on +44-(0)845-000-3333