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offered with objectives set at the start, and, because there is no competition, there is no incentive to go beyond these objectives,” he says. “Self-print tickets are also in demand, but train operators in the middle or nearing the end of their franchises have no incentive to do it. He adds: “It will be interesting to see if any more train operators introduce a business class as an alternative to first class, as Chiltern Railways has done. There is over-provision of first class on some routes while standard class passengers are sometimes forced to stand, but we have introduced a policy tool allowing people to buy first class advance fares when cheaper than the standard class Anytime fare.” Evolvi has done the same, with trade relations director Jon Reeve saying there has been little take-up of first class since it “fell off a cliff” during the financial crisis of 2008, when first class travel was
all but ruled out by the public sector. Despite a general increase in standard class fares, Evolvi customers are still “buying smarter” with the average transaction value down slightly to about £58 in 2013. Evolvi logged a 17 per cent increase in transactions last year, to 6.7 million.
HELPFUL COMPETITION Nicky Bees, travel co-ordinator of Bristol law firm Burges Salmon, says: “Competition would help on the London route as we have no other option but First Great Western. Our policy is not to allow first class unless it helps you be productive at peak times, as in standard class you can have people
As February’s storms proved, major expenditure on the Victorian infrastructure will need to continue
Buyers would welcome business class, as offered by Chiltern on key business trains between London and Birmingham. Its Business Zone is offered at a modest supplement of £25 each way or £40 return on standard class fares, whereas first class fares can be double or more on other operators. Passengers get wide seats at a table, with free wifi and the opportunity to buy snacks.
listening to your conversations or even leaning over your shoulder if they have to stand. “Our travellers need a guaranteed seat, privacy and wifi, and an intermediate class would be good. We also need to see new ticketing technology introduced to link with the iPhone.” Angela Smith, travel manager of Carillion, adds: “We don’t allow first class travel unless booked in advance, and you
have to book very early to get good savings. I would like to see more standard class seating introduced, and we are reminding people that if they can arrange meetings to start later in the day, they can travel off-peak and make savings.” Whichever company operates services, it should be recognised that public investment in the rail infrastructure is running at record levels, with £38 billion committed over the next five years and £50 billion earmarked for HS2. Short-term improvements will include fleets of new trains on the Great Western and East Coast routes, and completion of the Crossrail project in London. But as February’s storms proved – washing away the line at Dawlish in Devon, and cutting off all services from Cornwall and Plymouth to the rest of Britain until at least the end of March – major expenditure on the Victorian infrastructure will need to continue, and could feed through as increased fares. ■
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