Chiltern challenge commuters to make Valentine’s Day vow

In a survey carried out by YouGov for Chiltern Railways it reveals that commuting can be an ideal way to meet people, with 58 per cent of people saying they have chatted with a stranger on a train.

People from the Midlands came out as the least likely to speak to a stranger on a train, and Chiltern Railways is encouraging commuters on Valentine’s Day to make a vow to speak to the commuter sitting next to them.

David Koya met his now wife, Nikki Badejo, outside Marylebone Station. He said: “She was lost and I helped her find her way.

“Our destinies crossed again when we saw each other about a week later on the train.”

To propose David read a poem out over the PA system at the station.

He added: “We’ve shared so many special moments at Marylebone station that it really has been a part of our relationship.”

Thomas Ableman, director of Chiltern Railways said: “We’re surprised that more people do not see the benefit of chatting to strangers on a train, with some of our commuters telling us they get real benefit from networking on the go.

“However, for those commuters who do not want chat to the person sitting next to them, we do provide light, airy and spacious carriages on our fast Mainline service between Birmingham and London.