In the news: c2c's Basildon station celebrates 50 years of serving the community

With its first passenger journeys having taken place on 25 November 1974, c2c and Basildon Council led the celebrations for the impressive half century milestone and were joined by passengers, charity and business partners and members of the local community.

With pie 'n' mash supplied by local favourite, Robins, and cupcakes baked mere streets away by Cake Obsession, the event was an Essex knees-up, celebrating the importance of Basildon station to the local and wider economy and community over the past five decades. Also bringing the traditional London and Essex feel was Cockney Pride's Pearly King and Queen who led c2c colleagues, passengers and dignitaries in a rousing rendition of 'Happy Birthday.' 

A recent industry report from the Rail Delivery Group showed that the East of England has the UK's third highest passenger benefits figure at £1.2bn, while the London region ranks as the highest at £5.5bn. c2c's rail route covers both regions, therefore contributing significantly to the combined regional benefits, with Basildon a key location on the network, with 2.5 million customers through the station in the year to 31 March 2024.

Cllr Jessica Power, Basildon Council's Cabinet Member for Jobs, Skills and Local Economy, joined the celebrations, she said: "This year marks both the 50^th anniversary of Basildon Train Station and the 75^th anniversary of Basildon New Town. These two milestones are intertwined, reflecting the vision and ambition that have shaped our town over the decades. Basildon station has been at the heart of our connectivity, linking us to London and beyond.  

"As we celebrate 75 years of the New Town, we also look towards the future with a bold new vision for Basildon Town Centre. Over the next 50 years, the station will play a pivotal role in shaping a town centre that is vibrant, thriving and connected. These anniversaries remind us of how far we've come and the exciting opportunities ahead as Basildon continues to grow and evolve into a forward-thinking town that remains a vital part of the region's economy."

Ends

Published 27 November 2024

Notes to Editors:

c2c  

• c2c is the award-winning train operator running services between Fenchurch Street and Shoeburyness, serving 26 stations in East London and South Essex. 

• Owned by Trenitalia, c2c is one of the UK's most punctual and popular train operators and nearly 35.8 million journeys are made on its services every year. 

• Italian-based Trenitalia is one of Europe's leading rail operators and the passenger rail arm of FS Italiane Group. 

• c2c remains staunchly committed to its local economies and businesses, often partnering with and promoting events across Essex, such as days at Adventure Island, sponsoring the land train at the Orsett Show and becoming the front of shirt sponsor of Southend United Football Club. 

• For more information email mediaenquiries@c2crail.net 

• The suppliers for the event were Robins Pie and Mash and Irina and Nick Groves who run Cake Obsession in Basildon (@cakeobsession2018)  

Basildon station 

• Basildon station was opened by British Rail on 25 November 1974. It is situated on the London, Tilbury and Southend line and is operated by c2c Trenitalia.  
• Basildon ranks sixth in c2c's busiest stations with the current c2c timetable having 1098 departures from Basildon per week, taking people to and from London and further into Essex. 
• The main destination station for people travelling from Basildon in 2022/23 was Fenchurch Street station with the number of passenger journeys between these stations standing at 687,452. 
• For the year ending 31 March 2024, Basildon had 2,431,174 entries and exits, making it the 216^th busiest out of 2,585 stations in Great Britain.