Passenger numbers have been reaching for the skies since last year’s opening of Liverpool South Parkway (LSP), one of Europe’s most modern transport interchanges which is served by frequent and fast Central Trains’ services.

Latest figures show the number of Central Trains’ passengers travelling to and from the interchange, which is conveniently located for Liverpool John Lennon Airport, has grown by 23 per cent in just five months – from 3,471 in September 2006 to 4,271 in February 2007. The boom in passenger numbers shows how popular the route between the West Midlands, Staffordshire and Liverpool has become since the opening of LSP in June 2006.

The hourly service has helped open up transport links between the West Midlands and North West, and has underlined the success of the project. The success of LSP and the recently launched route into and out of the North West will also help with preparations for Liverpool’s role as European Capital of Culture in 2008.

Neil Scales, Chief Executive and Director General of Merseytravel, added: “The growth on this route in and out of LSP has been fantastic. The service has opened up new markets and we hope to continue to build on this success. LSP is not even one year old, and this is just the start. Liverpool South Parkway is one of our brightest success stories with around 5,000 passengers using it every day – fifty per cent more than we forecast at this stage – so we’re delighted with the growth of services and the number of passengers. It is important we continue to work with train operators in this way to enhance services and create an integrated network accessible to everyone.”

Central Trains’ Managing Director Steve Banaghan added: “The opening of Liverpool South Parkway presented a significant new opportunity for our customers, and the increase in passenger numbers speaks volumes for the quality and popularity of this important route.”

The new route also adds to the number of airports that are served by Central Trains, which is part of the National Express Group. Within the network, passengers can use Central Trains services to take flights from Birmingham International Airport, London Stansted Airport and now Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

At the time of its opening, Liverpool South Parkway was the most modern station in Europe, completely integrating road and rail transport and with high frequency bus services to Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

The station also acts as an interchange for football supporters travelling to matches at Anfield and Goodison Park, especially those travelling from the West Midlands and Cheshire.