{"id":322906,"date":"2024-11-14T11:18:54","date_gmt":"2024-11-14T11:18:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.c2c-online.co.uk\/?p=322906"},"modified":"2024-11-14T11:19:01","modified_gmt":"2024-11-14T11:19:01","slug":"report-c2c-customers-enjoy-combined-6-7bn-in-regional-passenger-benefits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.c2c-online.co.uk\/media-centre\/latest-news\/report-c2c-customers-enjoy-combined-6-7bn-in-regional-passenger-benefits\/","title":{"rendered":"Report: c2c customers enjoy combined \u00a36.7bn in regional passenger benefits"},"content":{"rendered":"

14 November 2024<\/p>\n

Customers using south Essex and east London train operator Trenitalia c2c are benefiting from billions of pounds of passenger perks, according to a new industry report.<\/p>\n

The findings, from newly published Rail Delivery Group (RDG) research \u2013 based on the year ending 2022\/2023 \u2013 revealed that \u00a36.7 billion worth of benefits is passed on to rail users annually across the East of England and London, including those using c2c.<\/p>\n

Passenger benefits include factors such as improving travel efficiency, supporting economic growth and enhancing commuter experiences. These benefits are primarily realised through investments in network upgrades, leading to faster journeys, increased train capacity and better reliability.<\/p>\n

Every morning c2c takes more than 25,000 passengers to their destinations across Essex and central London, with businesses across the route benefitting, with 35 million passengers travelling on the route each year.<\/p>\n

According to the RDG\u2019s research for the East of England, rail travel contributes around \u00a3590 million annually to independent businesses located near train stations.<\/p>\n

c2c’s Managing Director, Rob Mullen, said:<\/p>\n

\u201cWorking and engaging with the local businesses in our communities is one of our core business priorities at c2c. We understand our role in helping to grow local economies through mass transportation and are always looking for ways to highlight the many incredible businesses and events – big or small \u2013 that can be found along our route.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt c2c, we wholly welcome this report from the RDG, as it shows just how rail impacts communities across the UK and how this will only going to increase going forward \u2013 especially with more and more people being conscious of their carbon footprint and choosing to take the train over other methods of transportation, which will lead to more people contributing to local economies.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

c2c\u2019s impact can be felt in businesses and communities across Essex, as Denise Rossiter, Chief Executive of the Essex Chambers of Commerce, comments:<\/p>\n

\u201cc2c provides an excellent, efficient service in connecting people and businesses across south Essex.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have been delighted to partner with the company on a successful initiative to boost visitor numbers to Southend, thus helping to support businesses, as well provide additional leisure opportunities for local people.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause it takes its corporate social responsibility so seriously, c2c is also a highly-valued partner more generally, contributing fully to efforts to deliver growth in the local economy and getting involved in our work with businesses and local authorities to improve the business environment in Essex for everyone.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

c2c is also proud to promote the smaller businesses in its local areas, with a recent example being Kara\u2019s Kitchen at Shoeburyness station, the small local caf\u00e9 business that gained online fame through c2c\u2019s promotion of the RDG\u2019s nationwide World Cup of Stations competition.<\/p>\n

Kara McTaggart, owner of Kara\u2019s Kitchen, said of c2c:<\/p>\n

\u201cShoeburyness Station provides the overwhelming majority of my customers, as people travel across Essex and into London every day. The boost it provides to this part of the world is invaluable to myself and the businesses in Shoeburyness, as we always have people coming to enjoy the seaside and get away from the city for a while.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can honestly say that, as a business, the staff have always been easy and welcoming, and I would not be able to run my caf\u00e9 without the service that c2c provides. It is thanks to the people that use the train every morning that I am able to expand my business and plan for the future.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

These comments are welcomed by c2c, said Rob Mullen:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe wonderful comments made by Kara and Denise only highlight the impact c2c has on them and their businesses \u2013 and we are always thinking of new ways to positively impact our passengers\u2019 local economies.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The new report shows that the East of England has the UK\u2019s third highest passenger benefits figure at \u00a31.2bn, while the London region ranks as the highest at \u00a35.5bn. c2c\u2019s route covers both regions, therefore contributing significantly to the combined regional benefits.<\/p>\n

In recent times, c2c has launched numerous projects aimed at pushing passenger experience to new heights. In October 2023, it launched its new fleet of 720 trains, which are more environmentally friendly and can carry more passengers.<\/p>\n

In June 2024, c2c also appointed its first Accessibility Travel Manager, Steve Scutt. His role entails taking on responsibility for driving accessibility improvements across the c2c route, making sure the operator has accessible stations, trains and assets, as well as maintaining c2c\u2019s relationship with external stakeholders such as The Rail Delivery Group and The Department for Transport.<\/p>\n

Additionally, c2c was again named Britain\u2019s best train operating company by the Rail User Survey just last month, which revealed that c2c was top for leaving passengers satisfied with their journeys overall.<\/p>\n