JERSEY’S new million-pound state-of-the art bus station shows confidence in the future of public services, says Transport Minister Guy de Faye.

Liberation Station was officially opened by the Lieutenant-Governor, Lieutenant-General Andrew Ridgway, and his wife, Valerie, yesterday. But passengers will have to wait until 7.25 am tomorrow to step on board a bus from the hi-tech building on the old abattoir site. Deputy de Faye said that the opening of Liberation Station was an historic day and had come at just the right time. ‘This represents a vote of confidence by the States in the future of public services,’ he said. ‘Bus travel is popular again. Year on year we are seeing figures continue to rise. They went up 4%, then 7%, and I am expecting those figures to double this year.’ The Deputy added: ‘Some may call this a glorified bus shelter, but it has first-class facilities with cutting-edge technology. ‘Connex officials say they have not seen a bus station anywhere that they can compare it with. The building has the quality of an airport departure lounge.’