SECTOR FOCUS: BUSINESS TRAVEL


Mainline sees 65 per cent market growth


Emma Gascoigne PR and Communications Executive


In the four months since the launch of Chiltern Railways’ new faster Mainline service to London, the company has seen its Birmingham to London market grow by 65 per cent in comparison to the previous year. Mainline was launched in


September 2011 following an investment of £250 million by the company to enable faster trains and a consultation with the business community in the West Midlands to define the new service. This corporate consultation led to the introduction of free Wi-Fi across the Mainline fleet of trains and the creation of the Business Zone that effectively challenges the value of first class. Thomas Ableman, marketing


director of Chiltern Railways, said: “2012 is forecasted to be another tough year and businesses will need to continue to make changes in order to remain competitive. We believe the combination of our pricing and journey times makes it hard to justify travelling with anyone else and our sales reflect this. “We’re seeing such high


levels of growth because we’re offering a great value option in economically vulnerable times. “Our objective is to offer


business travellers a reliable service where they can maximise travel time rather than waste it on a crowded train without tables and free Wi-Fi.” The company has further


plans to improve travel for the West Midlands in 2012 including refurbished trains and doubling car parking availability at both Solihull and Warwick Parkway stations.


To find out more, visit www.chilternrailways. co.uk/mainline


44 CHAMBERLINK FEBRUARY 2012


SPONSORED BY: CHILTERN RAILWAYS REVIEW:ISUZU RODEO DENVER DOUBLE-CAB


road traffic accidents involve either a company car or a private car being driven on company business. And recent legislation has significantly increased the obligation for companies to manage risks. So fleet managers have to prove vehicle suitability and roadworthiness as well as driver training for everyone using cars for business journeys, including those using a private car to drop company letters off at the post office on the way home!


A pick-up with panache T


BY SUE COOKE


he Department for Transport estimates that up to a third of all


FACTS AT A GLANCE


Model: Isuzu Rodeo Denver double cab Price: From £16,049 CV otr


Engine: 2.5 litre common rail diesel


Performance: 0-62mph in 12.8 seconds and on to a top speed of 108mph


CO2 emissions: 213g/km Fuel consumption: 34.9mpg


in the UK since 2004. Current sales are up by 111 per cent compared to last year. As a commercial vehicle the


Rodeo is free of VAT and has competitive fuel economy. The interior requires a slight


jump to access the seats. All the usual standard equipment and safety features are present including a CD and MP3 player, driver and front passenger airbags and ABS/EBD braking systems. Rear seat space is comfortable and adequate but there is nowhere to leave briefcases out of sight, although there are lots


of small covered stowage spaces. The double-cab pick-up with rear payload is a


‘One of the roughest, toughest and ultra-capable cars on the road’


Risks are amplified in winter months and as roads bring more off-road challenges, it’s great to be able to drive cars like the Isuzu Rodeo Denver which skims huge potholes and will switch from rear-wheel drive to four-wheel drive on the move at speeds of up to 60mph, with a dash selection button. So ice, snow and the wet are no trial at all. This pick-up is one of the roughest, toughest and ultra-capable cars on the road and has been on sale


large vehicle and it would have helped if it had rear parking sensors as backing into parking spaces and getting out of tight spaces can be testing because the turning circle is not good. The grunty 2.5 litre diesel engine will achieve 38.2mpg with combined use and the Rodeo has a huge 800 miles plus fuel range. Acceleration to 62mph does take a rather ponderous 12.8 seconds but once on the move it is car-like to drive and quite speedy. The Isuzu Rodeo Denver has impeccable on road manners and fantastic off road capabilities and it’s the car that fleet managers should consider, especially with impending bad weather forecasts and safety a major consideration.


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