ON THE GROUND ➔ Rail travel's price backlash
RAIL operators across the UK faced a backlash from passengers following the news that train fares will rise by an average eight per cent in January 2012. Train companies can raise
fares by an additional three per cent on top of the Retail Price Index (RPI), which stands at five per cent, while some operators are entitled to add a further five per cent on certain routes, meaning an overall 13 per cent price rise on some journeys in the new year. The Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) has responded by claiming the changes will produce long- term gains for rail passengers. David Mapp, commercial director of ATOC, says, “The government has decided that many fares need to rise above inflation for the next three years to help pay for more
EAST COAST REWARDS ITS CUSTOMERS
EAST Coast has launched a new loyalty scheme for its frequent passengers – East Coast Rewards. Customers or bookers who purchase tickets on the train company's website (www.
eastcoast.co.uk) worth more than £22 will qualify for points which are redeemable against a number of rewards, ranging from free First Class travel to free wifi acces or even money off bookings with other train operators. From November, rewards will also include free Standard Class travel and more third party rewards. Both new and regular East
Coast travellers who sign up to East Coast Rewards will receive a special introductory bonus of 100 reward points. Customers can expect to earn one reward point for every pound spent, or 1.5 points for every £1 spent for First Class bookings. Rewards can be managed online.
Five minutes with... Roger Plumpton
PROFILE
Managing Director HOSMARK
Roger set up Hosmark in 2001 to provide a sales service for first class and luxury hotels looking to grow their share of the UK meeting and events market. He has a team of 12 sales professionals and an impressive portfolio of hotels across the globe. Before founding Hosmark he worked for Inter- Continental as vice president of sales for Europe.
trains, better stations and faster services. Increasing the money raised from fares will mean that taxpayers contribute less to the running of the railways, while ensuring that vital investment can continue.” Mapp continues, “The rail industry is working with the government to cut the cost of running the railways. A more efficient railway will help to limit fare rises in the future,
and offer better long-term value for money.” ATOC claims train fares are cheaper now than 15 years ago when inflation is factored in, with the average price for a single journey on a season ticket in 1995/6 costing £3.04, compared to £2.77 now. An eight per cent rise on a season ticket in 2012 will see the average commuter pay £3.18 more per week.
HERTZ OFFERS ADRENALINE HIT
What is your most memorable business travel trip and why? Believe it or not it was to Portsmouth, where I met my wife, who was working for the English Tourist Board.
What is your worst business travel experience and why? Returning on an easyJet flight from Barcelona to Gatwick in November last year when the snow hit the country. I had a nightmare experience trying to change flights and got home two days later. When I finally flew home to Luton I then had to cross London with the trains in a complete mess to collect my car from Gatwick Airport.
What is your favourite destination worldwide and why? It has to be the Maldives – the best place in the world to relax and unwind – closely followed by Mauritius.
What three items do you never leave home without when on business? My BlackBerry, a small clock (why don’t all hotel rooms have a clock?) and spare clothes. You never know when you will spill a drink on your shirt!
HIRE car heavyweights Hertz is now offering the Lotus Evora exclusively in Europe as the first car to feature in its new Adrenaline Range. Following an extended partnership with Group Lotus which began in 2009, Hertz made the decision to feature the Lotus Evora as the launch car of the new Adrenaline Range and in the Hertz Fun Collection in the UK, Spain and Germany. Similar to the Hertz Adrenaline Collection in the US, the Adrenaline Range in Europe will showcase the most exciting new vehicles in
Hertz’s fleet, with high quality, enhanced performance, and beautifully designed vehicles. The Lotus Evora will initially be available to hire from a limited number of outlets, including Hertz offices at London Heathrow Airport; Paris Charles De Gaulle Airport; Germany’s Frankfurt Rhein-Main and Munich airports; Italy’s Rome Fiumicino and Milan Linate airports; and Spain’s Madrid and Barcelona airports. Rental rates start from around 250 euros per day, and confirmed reservations are guaranteed.
What single thing could be done to improve your business travelling life? Have seat numbers issued on budget airlines to avoid the painful and stressful pushing and shoving to get on the plane! Priority boarding doesn’t really do it for me – maybe the Brits really do enjoy their queueing!
What destination would you like to visit next and why? Sicily. Hosmark has just started working with a hotel on the island and it looks like a great destination for meeting and incentives. Everyone wants new destinations for their meetings, but as it's only a few hours flying time from the UK, Sicily works. Also, I just love Italian food and wine.
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