First Capital Connect commuter services on the right track

Today, Anne Main attended the opening of the new First Capital Connect (FCC) station at St Pancras International.

Today, Anne Main, Member of Parliament for St Albans, attended the opening of the new First Capital Connect (FCC) station at St Pancras International.

St Pancras International's first FCC service arrived yesterday, Sunday 9th December, and the station was officially opened today by Secretary of State Ruth Kelly, the Chief Executive of the First Group and the Chief Executive of Network Rail.

Anne said

"I am delighted that we in St Albans now have this excellent facility and no longer have to suffer the shabby Kings Cross Thameslink station every time we come to the capital.

Things are now starting to head down the right track on the Thameslink route after a long wait. I have been pressing continually for a better deal for St Albans' commuters and I am meeting with Mark Tarry, Area General Manager of FCC, tomorrow to discuss the next steps that we can expect in service improvements on the route.

Longer platforms, better access to stations, especially for disabled people, and longer trains with more carriages are all needed at St Albans to improve the conditions on the route, putting an end to the cattle-truck conditions which commuters have already endured for too long. FCC have assured me that these things are all now being actively planned-for as part of their long term strategy to deliver a first class service for my constituents."

Photo: Anne with Elaine Holt and FCC Area General Manager Mark Tarry."