Over 400 thousand journeys have been made to and from Cambridge South station since it opened its gates 100 days ago, transforming the way people travel to and from Europe’s largest biomedical campus – home to world-class science, NHS hospitals and business facilities.
Since opening on 28 June, the station, backed by £250 million of government funding, has recorded over 400,000 passenger journeys, highlighting established strong demand within the Cambridgeshire area.
At this current rate, the station would be heading towards annual patronage figures of 1.6 million journeys, well on track towards the 1.8 million journeys expected in the medium term.
Up to 20 services call at Cambridge South during peak hours, connecting passengers to London (including international rail connections via St Pancras), Birmingham, Stansted Airport, and Norwich, with all services operated by Greater Anglia, Great Northern and Cross Country calling there.
Rail Minister Lord Hendy said:
“In just 100 days, more than 400,000 journeys have started or finished at Cambridge South – connecting people to work, community and their loved ones. Backed by £250 million government investment, this station proves that connecting people with better transport drives growth through its powering of one of the world’s leading biomedical campuses.
“As our first Great British Railways branded station, it’s a glimpse of what’s coming: a nationalised railway, owned by the public, built for the public, delivering real change in people’s everyday lives.”
Rob Mullen, Chief Customer and Commercial Officer at GBR Anglia, said:
“The response from passengers to the new station at Cambridge South has been incredibly positive. We’re seeing people choose rail as a convenient way to reach the nearby biomedical campus, helping to reduce congestion on local roads and providing access easier for communities across the region and beyond. It’s clear that customers are finding the station very convenient and user-friendly.
“As we continue the journey towards Great British Railways, we’re working together more closely than ever to deliver a railway that is simpler, more efficient, and more focused on the needs of passengers and customers.”
Nick Kirby, Managing Director for Cambridge Biomedical Campus Ltd, said:
“Over the first 100 days, Cambridge South has become part of everyday life on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. It’s making it easier for patients, staff and visitors from across the region to get to the campus for appointments, work and events.
“We’ve seen hundreds of thousands of passengers through the station since opening and are already on track for over one and a half million journeys in its first year, helping people come from further, faster, and more sustainably. Investing in infrastructure like this is key to sustainable, inclusive growth.”
As the first fully Great British Railways-branded station, Cambridge South represents what can be achieved for communities through new integrated way of working, bringing together Network Rail track and infrastructure with train operators’ passenger services under a nationalised GBR Anglia organisation.
To mark the occasion, GBR Anglia has released a new short video hearing directly from the public about the station’s impact, while celebrating the station’s milestone moment and recognising its successes so far.
Services operated by Greater Anglia, Great Northern and Thameslink CrossCountry regularly call at the station (credit: GBR Anglia)
