Dear all,

I have been very impressed by First Capital Connect's attitude
towards cycling since they took over the franchise on the Cambridge
and Peterborough lines. For the first time, we have found ourselves
dealing with an organization that treats us as customers rather than
as an unwelcome nuisance.

I know that people will gripe and moan about overcrowding, time
keeping, staff etc – all the issues that seem impossible to get away
from on the railways, but my experience of FCC has been that they are
making a very conscious effort to make the network more cycle
friendly. What's more, they seem to be doing it without all that
divisive playing off of one marginalized group against another.

FCC have been doing a lot of work quietly, improving cycle parking,
removing carriage restrictions where possible etc. When we
cried "foul" over the proposals for Hitchin Station Forecourt, it was
FCC who backed us up and said that our concerns would have to be
addressed.

I think that deserves recognition, so I have nominated them for
the "Train Operating Company of the Year" award at the "Bike-Rail
Awards 2008".

If you agree with me, why not put in a nomination yourself. You will
have to be quick, the deadline for nominations is 5 September.
Nominate on line at:

http://www.cyclerail.co.uk/pages/entries.html

My press release is at:

http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/Cycle_Hitchin/files/HitchinStatio
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