RAIL
The GTMC describes the review as “a step in the right direction”, with chief executive Adrian Parkes adding: “The rail sector has undoubtedly experienced a year- long PR disaster, yet the commuter and regular business traveller is now having to swallow another 3 per cent price rise with no related benefits. “This detracts from the positive service delivery of many
operators and their investment in new trains, carriages, products and services. What a disappointment for all. “Rail is always competing with road and too many
potential rail users are still opting to use their cars. At a time when we should be focusing on reducing car- related emissions, the perceived poor experience on rail is sending business travellers back to the road.”
BRIGHTER FUTURE However, the GTMC still feels that rail has a bright future, and urges the industry to connect with travellers under 35 who are open to switching from car travel in the right circumstances. Experienced travel manager Will Hasler, who sits on the ITM’s industry affairs committee, will help frame its response to the Williams Review. More competition between train operators – which doesn’t happen with the current franchise model – is one of his key demands. “If Virgin, for example, is running three trains an hour from London Euston to Birmingham. Why not make that two per hour and have another operator for the third?” he asks. “Companies wouldn’t bid so much money for the franchise, but an operator, such as Virgin, could compete alongside Great Western on the London- Bristol route. “Longer franchises would be a good idea, because if
the franchise is up for renewal every few years, it doesn’t encourage train operators to invest. Their profits are wafer-thin, in any case.”
Hasler also called for first class provision to be reduced because with all public servants mandated to travel in standard class, there was no prospect of first class patronage returning to the levels before the financial crisis. But business travellers need a good working environment in standard class.
£700 £81 million
compensation that could be claimed back per year SOURCE: RAILGUARD
106 MARCH/APRIL 2019
estimated total delay
million
actual amount paid out in 2017-18 “because people didn’t bother to claim” the rest
buyingbusinesstravel.com
BETTER BY RAIL
EMMA RICHARDSON, HEAD OF ADMIN, ABA RESEARCH
INT E R VIEW
Q: Bearing in mind the DfT review of the rail industry now under way, what are the key things that need fixing on behalf of the business traveller? Cheaper fares – train prices can vary, and it isn’t clear if buying a return ticket with two stops is cheaper than buying them all individually. Fares need to be more helpful for the traveller. Also make sure all is in place when changing timetables and communicated out to the traveller. The timetable change on the Govia Thameslink routes caused major delays.
Q: Despite infrastructure constraints, would more competition be helpful? Possibly, as this could keep fares down.
Q: How do your travellers react when major infrastructure projects fall badly behind schedule? They are extremely angry as they have to then think of
FARES NEED
TO BE MORE HELPFUL TO THE TRAVELLER
another way of getting to their destination, which can cause unnecessary stress.
Q: Are your travellers showing any appetite to switch to rail from car or air? What about a four- hour journey time between London and Edinburgh for example, bearing in mind the productivity gains with rail? They do feel that for a long journey it is better by rail, as they can carry on working.
Q: What would most improve the business travel experience by rail? Wifi needs to be improved and be free for the traveller, but not all companies offer this.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136
