The direct link was the first on the route for more than 20 years

Passenger figures are currently 30% above expected targets.

The company on Wednesday recorded its 500,000th passenger on the 70-minute trip, within a year of the start of the service.

Anglia Railways corporate affairs director, Jonathan Denby, said: "The fact that the new Norwich to Cambridge service has recorded half a million passengers in just under a year proves that the link has been a great success."

He said about 1,000 people use the service - which calls at Wymondham, Attleborough, Thetford, and Ely - each day.

The hourly service, which is the first direct train link between the cities in almost 20 years, was meant to help reduce commuter traffic on the A11.

The link was introduced following the award of a �9.2m grant from the Strategic Rail Authority amid support from county councils, MPs, rail user groups and the business community.

The company awarded its 500,000th passenger on the route, Angela Fountain from Norwich and her companion, free weekend passes for travel through next spring.