RUGBY TRAINS WILL RUN AS RAIL COMPANIES WORK AROUND LATE NIGHT KICK-OFF

Thursday 20 Sep 2007

RUGBY TRAINS WILL RUN AS RAIL COMPANIES WORK AROUND LATE NIGHT KICK-OFF

Region & Route:: | Wales & Western: Wales & Borders; | Southern: Wessex; | Wales & Western; | Southern

A solution to rail travel issues associated with the late evening kick-off for the Rugby World Cup Quarter Final on Saturday, 6 October has been found. Network Rail and First Great Western have worked together to provide the match organisers with three late night trains to take rugby fans back to London. Details of these train timings and ticket booking facilities are currently being finalised. They will either be trains that can be boarded on a turn-up and travel basis, or specially run charters. These trains are likely to leave Cardiff after 22:00 (10pm) on the night. John Pockett, First Great Western stakeholder manager for Wales, said: "The choice of a very late kick-off on a date advertised as having major track engineering work presented significant challenges. Discussions have been on-going for some time and with Network Rail's continued assistance, we are delighted to now be able to offer three dedicated match special services." Network Rail's Western Route Director, Dave Ward, said: "This is an important event for Cardiff, and we are pleased that we can help First Great Western offer extra services to get rugby fans back to London after the match on this occasion."

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