East Anglian train operator ‘one’ is to encourage ‘green’ travel by removing its remaining charges for cycle carriage from 2 January 2007.

Currently it costs £3 per single journey to take a cycle on Intercity trains into London and a £1 flat fare is in place for cycle carriage on local services across Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire.

From 2 January 2007, these charges will be removed, making cycle carriages free on all ‘one’ services. Complimentary reservations will still be required for cycle carriage on Intercity services to London and encouraged for local journeys in Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire centred on Ipswich, Norwich and Cambridge (where the local trains have space for up to 4 cycles each).

‘one’ encourages cyclists to take the train, minimising cycle-carriage restrictions to peak-time, commuter services in and out of London, morning peak commuter services into Cambridge and some Summer Saturday services to Great Yarmouth.

Since the start of its franchise in 2004, the company has significantly increased the number of parking facilities at its stations with over 2000 spaces available across its 168 stations. These improvements have been achieved through the train operator’s own investment schemes and partnerships with the Department for Transport and County Councils across the region – including Essex, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Suffolk and Norfolk. A number of the schemes have also enhanced both the quality of the facilities and security measures with spaces monitored by CCTV coverage.

Other cycle-friendly initiatives include the long established cycle rescue scheme covering Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire, cycle-hire arrangements at Southminster, Wroxham and Cromer and a cycle-rail guide for days out on the Norwich to Sheringham, Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft routes.

Commenting on the move to make cycle carriage free of charge Dominic Booth, Managing Director, for ‘one’ said: “I’m delighted that we’re able to make cycle carriage free on ‘one’ services. The combination of bikes and trains is a ‘green’ option for many journeys. So we’re pleased to encourage sustainable transport trips wherever we can. This development, combined with our work to increase cycle parking at many of our stations in recent years, is part of a dedicated effort to make integrated public transport a real alternative for as many journeys as possible in East Anglia.”