Stena welcomes new rail operator

Stena Line is anticipating a rise in passenger numbers on its Dutchflyer rail and sail service.

The increase is expected because of improvements pledged by the new operator responsible for rail services in East Anglia, Abellio-owned Greater Anglia.

The Dutchflyer option includes rail services to Harwich International Port from London Liverpool Street and stations in Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire, which were taken over by Greater Anglia last month, combined with a Stena Line crossing to the Hook of Holland and onward rail travel to any Dutch station with operator Nederlandse Spoorwegen, within one ticket.

Since taking over the franchise, Greater Anglia has promised to improve customer service, station conditions, operational performance and communication with customers, all of which Stena Line expects to boost numbers using its Dutchflyer service.

Lars Olsson, Stena Line’s general manager for travel on the North Sea, said: ‘Our Dutchflyer service has been growing steadily in popularity thanks to the convenience and good value it represents compared to other modes of transport.

‘Greater Anglia’s drive to improve the quality of the rail component of our Dutchflyer service should create a superior, more attractive proposition for our customers.

‘In 2011 we grew our car traffic by 4.4% with the introduction of our new North Sea Superferries the previous year and in 2012 we expect the enhanced East Anglian rail operations to build on the 70,000 rail passengers sailing with us last year.’

Stena Line operates twice-daily six-hour return crossings between Harwich and the Hook of Holland, with Dutchflyer fares starting from £34 per person return from Harwich or £39 one-way from any Greater Anglia station.

Meanwhile, Condor Ferries will be celebrating National Ferry Fortnight by offering a 10% discount on travel to Guernsey, Jersey and St Malo.

The discount applies to customers booking during the fortnight, which runs from 17-31 March.

Customers to France can use Condor’s new connecting services, which provide a daytime stop-off in the Channel Islands, which the operator says is ‘ideal for those travelling with children or pets, allowing them to break their journey to stretch their legs…before travelling on to St Malo’.

See also:
Stena defends fast-ferry cuts (01/09/2011)
Brittany Ferries forecasts choppy waters (20/02/2012)
Ferries to offer ‘cruise ship’ experience (14/11/2011)
Ferries report another record year (19/01/2011)