Chiltern Mainline: Nice & Fast!

[whole diary]

[ChrisB]

Looks as though they've changed their minds then? THey can. running what was in the application isn't necessary....

[paul7575]

Looks as though they've changed their minds then? THey can. running what was in the application isn't necessary....

I know - as you keep reminding us. 

But what I was suggesting is that they are getting nearer to the detail of what was in that application, for whatever reason...

Paul

[IndustryInsider]

Worth a watch, and just shows how straight the track is between Bicester and Princes Risborough, but I'm not sure what the stop at Bicester North and sheep noises are all about?

http://railwayeye.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/chiltern-railways-orchestra-of-swan.html

[ChrisB]

Indeed! Bit of a continuity problem at Bicester North methinks....

[Btline]

Noticed this a while back, but forgot to post.

The 25, 50 and 75 fares have already changed to 25, 50 and 85.

http://www.chilternrailways.co.uk/content/more-ticket-information

I have to say, I dislike having the same price fare for multiple stations. It's ridiculous that it costs the same for a Super Off Peak return from KID and Warwick with over an hour's journey time!

[JayMac]

Would be a little ridiculous if it were true.

Kidderminster - London Marylebone with Chiltern - Anytime Return ^95 (^55 SVR, ^25 SSR)
Warwick - London Marylebone with Chiltern - Anytime Return ^85 (^50 SVR, ^25 SSR)

When the ^75, ^50, ^25 fares were introduced by Chiltern last July, stations beyond Birmingham to Kidderminster were not included. Prior to January's price rises, Kidderminster - London Terminals via High Wycombe was ^85 SOR, ^55 SVR, ^25 SSR.

 


EDIT NOTE: This reply was in response to Btline's post, before it was edited, that mentioned the Anytime fare from Kidderminster and made no mention of Super Off Peak Returns. I was pointing out that there is a difference between fares from Kidderminster and Warwick at two of the three walk-up price points.

[Btline]

I understand that, I was talking about a Super off Peak return.

Anyway, my main point is the neat 25 / 50 / 75 has gone! I thought it would last  bit longer!

What will happen in future? Wait a few years and then raise by ^5?

[ChrisB]

The SSP is the regulated fare, so up to RPI^▸ (Revenue Protection Inspector (or Retail Price Index, depending on the context))+?% in future

[JayMac]

I understand that, I was talking about a Super off Peak return.

Who were you talking to about that then? I didn't hear or see it.

You posted:

The Anytime is 95 for Kidderminster

 

[Btline]

Have edited my post to make it clearer. I'm talking about the ^25 fare that is the same for many stations, some an hour apart.

It's also interesting that there are increases in the Anytime fares, I expect passenger numbers have increased a lot. The car park at Warwick Pway is due to be expanded yet again!

[ChrisB]

As is Solihull - its getting a deck

[Btline]

As is Solihull - its getting a deck

So Solihul gets taken over by Chiltern and then immediately gets a deck. I wish Chiltern took over more stations!

[Btline]

Passengers have been deserting Virgin and LM^▸ (London Midland - recent franchise) in their droves. Passengers on Chiltern Mainline are up 53% - a jaw dropping figure in the current economic climate.

Chiltern have proved so popular with commuters from Solihull and Warwick Parkway that multimillion pound car park extensions are taking place to cope with the surge in numbers. Further extra capacity will be introduced later this year in a programme of improvements:

*newly refurbished carriages with automatic doors to reduce delays
*an extra carriage for each loco hauled train adding hundreds of seats per day
*an extra loco hauled train adding further seats
*enhanced WiFi for busy commuters
*improved catering with Credit Card facilities introduced
*new restaurant at Birmingham Moor Street
*barcode tickets available

All this, of course, is following the ^250 million Evergreen 3 investment which was achieved without any direct Government subsidy.

Some services are now so packed that Anytime fares will have to increase by ^10 later this year to prevent sardine conditions, albeit a modest increase compared to Virgin's sky high prices and draconian restrictions.

Well done Chiltern!

[EBrown]

*newly refurbished carriages with automatic doors to reduce delays
*an extra carriage for each loco hauled train adding hundreds of seats per day
*an extra loco hauled train adding further seats
*enhanced WiFi for busy commuters
*improved catering with Credit Card facilities introduced
*new restaurant at Birmingham Moor Street
*barcode tickets available

What was your source pleas?

[ChrisB]

I suspect a bastardised press release / briefing.

Although as always with BTLine, slightly exaggerated.....(e.g. headline % only at one station, not in total)