Press Release: Bishop Auckland Train/Bus Product Launch From 20th May, 18, public transport users in Bishop Auckland and Darlington can use a new joint Train & Bus ticket, allowing all day travel on any Arriva Bus or Northern train service between Darlington and Bishop Auckland. The product was launched at Bishop Auckland station on Friday 18th May, 18, with Helen Goodman MP and representatives from Kyrnen, The Auckland Project and Darlington and Durham County Council’s in attendance. Nick Knox, Area Managing Director at Arriva Bus, outlined the benefits the product gives people, “Our new Bishop Train & Bus Day Ranger gives our customers greater flexibility in their travel. From 4th June, 18, our services from Bishop Auckland to Darlington will be extended to 2327, allowing travel to Darlington from Bishop Auckland later by bus than the train service currently allows. Recently we have improved the vehicle specification on this route to our high quality ‘Sapphire’ standard, so customers can travel between Darlington and Bishop Auckland in comfortable seats with on-board WI-FI and charging points”. The launch event saw the unveiling of a new station board, highlighting the town’s links with The Auckland Project and Kynren, the UK’s must see live action outdoor spectacular which premieres for its third season on Saturday 30th June with the first of 17 shows which will take place over the summer. The new Day Ranger product and extension of the evening bus services, will allow Kynren goers to travel to Bishop Auckland by Train and return to hotels in Darlington on a later Arriva Bus. Anne- Isabelle Daulon, CEO, of Eleven Arches, the world-class production company behind Kynren comments, “All at Kynren welcome the addition of this new rail and bus link which is a fantastic addition to the vital transport infrastructure needed to support our ambition of bringing over half a million people to Bishop Auckland by 2020. It further creates the opportunity for more and more visitors to experience our Epic Tale of England and to celebrate 2000 years of British history”. “The addition of this further new product creates a much-welcomed passenger transport link for visitors to Kynren in time for our season three premiere on Saturday 30th June”. It perfectly supports the growing needs of many of Kynren’s visitors who travel between Darlington and Bishop Auckland and who’s first preference is to travel in the comfort of buses or rail. The Auckland Project, who’s CEO was in attendance at the launch, is a new arts, faith and heritage destination being created in the town, which will include 900-year-old Auckland Castle, once home to the Prince Bishops of Durham, as well as a new Faith Museum, Spanish Gallery, Auckland Tower visitor centre, Walled Garden, Deer Park, a hotel and a number of restaurants, which will open in stages over the next three years. David Maddan, CEO of The Auckland Project, said: “It is fantastic to see Arriva and Northern Rail recognising the growing popularity of Bishop Auckland and taking steps to make it as easy as possible for visitors to enjoy everything that the town has to offer now and in the future.” The launch of the product saw Helen Goodman MP, a strong advocate of integrated transport options, praise the introduction of this product, following discussion with Northern Rail and Arriva Bus last year. “I have fought hard for better integration between our rail and bus networks to give people better access to Bishop Auckland. Now, with our public transport systems working better together, we’re going to see more people using our trains and busses to visit Bishop Auckland town centre and all it has to offer.” Mike Paterson, Regional Director at Northern outlined that this is just one improvement rail customers will see in the coming year, “In the last 6 months we have increased our services to Bishop Auckland and from 20th May, 18, our trains will coincide with the shift times at the Hitachi plant, making travel to work far easier. From December, 2018, the pacer trains currently used on the Bishop Auckland line will be gradually replaced with refurbished 156 units, providing greater capacity and free WI-FI.” The event was also attended by Leaders and Councillors at Durham County Council and Darlington Council.