Cross-border trains plan to link Cardiff Airport
29.12.05
More passengers and airlines could be tempted to use Cardiff Airport if plans for a long-distance train service linking the airport from England take off.
The Government has announced that the new Greater Western franchise had been awarded to First, which operates the existing First Great Western franchise. One of the options in the franchise agreement is for hourly services from Portsmouth to Cardiff to be extended to Rhoose, the new station which serves nearby Cardiff airport via a shuttle bus.
The Welsh Assembly Government said yesterday it would discuss the service with rail companies and the airport. Cardiff Airport managing director Jon Horne said direct trains from England would help to increase the airport's catchment area, which in turn would encourage more airlines to fly to more places from Cardiff.
Horne said the Portsmouth trains came to Cardiff via Bath, Bristol Temple Meads and Newport. Extending them to Rhoose would help the airport attract more passengers from England, who are currently about 10% of all passengers using Cardiff airport.
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