Ditching the car and taking the train should be a ‘no-brainer’ for today’s business traveller, according to the chairman of Chiltern Railways.

Adrian Shooter believes that with competitive prices, quicker journeys and the reduced risk of accidents for employees, the train makes the ideal alternative to the company car.

“Corporate business is very important to us so we have developed a range of options for the business traveller,” explained Shooter.

“Our specialist Business Travel Service provides a complete solution for business journeys by rail anywhere in the UK.

“It’s free to join and provides access to a team of dedicated rail travel consultants and account managers, who will offer impartial advice and recommend the best routes, connections and ticket options for any journey.”

Chiltern Railways operates between Kidderminster and London Marylebone, with services from stations including Birmingham Moor Street, Banbury, Warwick Parkway, Aylesbury Vale Parkway and High Wycombe.

Currently, 30% of its passengers are business travellers, while 30% are commuters and 40% leisure passengers.

But, Shooter believes passenger numbers could be bolstered further from the business community with Chiltern Railways providing an important role for those wanting to split their journey up by travelling by a combination of car and rail.

“We have three very popular parkway stations,” explained Shooter. “Warwick Parkway, Haddenham and Thame Parkway and more recently Aylesbury Vale Parkway.

“These parkway stations tick all the boxes that a business traveller needs. There’s great transport links from the motorway and lot’s of parking.”

In 2007/08, Britain’s railways recorded the highest number of passengers ever recorded in peace time with 1.2 billion journeys made.

Since 1996, Chiltern railways has invested more than £400 million to improve the railway and it now carries more than twice the number of passengers than it did 10 years ago, with a fleet that’s also doubled in size.