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Author Topic: All First Class coach service launched in the US. Could it work in the UK  (Read 634 times)
JayMac
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« on: January 24, 2022, 03:01:27 »

Just caught an interesting trip report on YouTube.

The Jet is an all First Class coach service between Washington DC (Direct Current) and New York. There are just 14 seats onboard a full sized coach. These seats feature motion cancelling technology for an extremely comfortable ride. The coach includes at-seat attendant service provided from a galley at the rear. There's high speed WiFi and complimentary food and drinks are provided, including alcohol.

Could this work on the UK (United Kingdom)?



« Last Edit: January 24, 2022, 03:09:30 by bignosemac » Logged

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« Reply #1 on: January 25, 2022, 16:54:24 »

IMHO (in my humble opinion), This is only applicable to routes not well served by rail.

A train is likely to be faster, and first class travel on a proper inter city train is probably going to be more comfortable than even a luxury bus.

Possibly a demand for this on routes without a decent train service, but not otherwise.
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A proper intercity train has a minimum of 8 coaches, gangwayed throughout, with first at one end, and a full sized buffet car between first and standard.
It has space for cycles, surfboards,luggage etc.
A 5 car DMU (Diesel Multiple Unit) is not a proper inter-city train. The 5+5 and 9 car DMUs are almost as bad.
patch38
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« Reply #2 on: January 25, 2022, 16:59:01 »

I'm curious about their financial model. $1,400 income per trip with two crew and CAPEX costs would suggest a pretty slim margin for the operator...?
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broadgage
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« Reply #3 on: January 25, 2022, 17:49:19 »

I'm curious about their financial model. $1,400 income per trip with two crew and CAPEX costs would suggest a pretty slim margin for the operator...?

I agree, and that presumes that every seat is filled, and of course IF every seat is routinely filled, then no space for any last minute walk up custom.

Maybe the crew are poorly paid and expect generous tips ?
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A proper intercity train has a minimum of 8 coaches, gangwayed throughout, with first at one end, and a full sized buffet car between first and standard.
It has space for cycles, surfboards,luggage etc.
A 5 car DMU (Diesel Multiple Unit) is not a proper inter-city train. The 5+5 and 9 car DMUs are almost as bad.
stuving
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« Reply #4 on: January 25, 2022, 18:49:30 »

I'm curious about their financial model. $1,400 income per trip with two crew and CAPEX costs would suggest a pretty slim margin for the operator...?

The pricing is $99-199, and they will hope to sell full buses at prices at the upper end of that range. They show 4h15 as the journey time, with two each way each day. The early runs leave at 11:00 - unAmericanly late!

But at the moment they are only offering a limited launch service "through March" - or so they say, they do not seem to be running every day even next week. As a launch service it won't expecting to make money for a while; they may intend higher pricing if it's a success (and giving up if it isn't).
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Bmblbzzz
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« Reply #5 on: January 25, 2022, 19:07:42 »

I think New York and Washington do have a good rail connection. The problem with this kind of service in the UK (United Kingdom) might be finding appropriate destinations. In the American case, one is the political capital, the other is the capital for business, entertainment, transport hub and of course largest city. Whereas in Britain we only have London as the capital of everything.
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JayMac
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« Reply #6 on: January 25, 2022, 19:14:54 »

To the other UK (United Kingdom) capitals and large regional cities? Compete with rail.

And maybe to Dublin too.
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