Growing Rail Revenue

[whole diary]

[Trowres]

I spotted some communication this week from a rail industry group that was effectively asking DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) for more freedom to grow revenue through marketing and innovation... fares perhaps? All that wonderful private industry expertise, you know? The TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company) owners had money to invest, but no mechanism to make a return on that investment.

While I have some sympathy with that position, I cannot say that a quarter century of privatised rail has been a dazzling success on the promotion of rail travel. Look at almost any TOC website and observe that each promotes travel within its own service area only.

There is, now, an exception. LNER^» (London North Eastern Railway - about) are promoting destinations served by two other TOCs. See https://www.lner.co.uk/our-destinations/travel-inspiration/railways-assemble/

Now who owns LNER? 

[grahame]

I spotted some communication this week from a rail industry group that was effectively asking DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) for more freedom to grow revenue through marketing and innovation... fares perhaps? All that wonderful private industry expertise, you know? The TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company) owners had money to invest, but no mechanism to make a return on that investment.

While I have some sympathy with that position, I cannot say that a quarter century of privatised rail has been a dazzling success on the promotion of rail travel. Look at almost any TOC website and observe that each promotes travel within its own service area only.

There is, now, an exception. LNER^» (London North Eastern Railway - about) are promoting destinations served by two other TOCs. See https://www.lner.co.uk/our-destinations/travel-inspiration/railways-assemble/

Now who owns LNER? 

I totally agree with the message and IMHO^▸ ('in my humble opinion'), there is so much promotional skill there that could and should be used, with rewards to encourage the organisations and people who do the promotion, which is predominantly for the good of the rail industry.

My news feed brings me from Ireland

Irish Rail have released their Christmas timetable with extra late-night train services being added in the in the busy run up to Christmas.

Ahead of the festive party season, Iarnród Éireann has extended their usual schedules to facilitate passengers travelling home after a night out on weekends throughout December.

What a contrast to Bath Spa, where mass transit demand its such that the trains are running through none-stop in a reduced service because it is feared they would overcrowd ...

[ChrisB]

Only on strike days though?