Hamilton's Go buses: But where are the trains?
As the Waikato rail plan disappears into a disturbing cone of silence, a Sydney group this morning put forward an argument for Sydney that is just as relevant for why we need an attractive Waikato to Auckland service.
While motorway enthusiasts insist an improved Waikato expressway is the only way people want to travel between the two cities, the Sydney group is arguing that the time is coming when, with bigger populations, motorists will be looking for an alternative.
In Sydney’s case, the group says some simple policy changes would be sufficient to make trains a more serious competitor to the car and domestic airlines as the city’s present intercity rail transport situation to and from Sydney is “less than satisfactory.”
“It is hardly the kind of service you would expect in a city that likes to portray itself to a global audience as world class. Sydney needs to do better, “ says the paper from Jennifer Buckingham and Dr Oliver Marc Hartwich, research fellos at Sydney’s Centre for Business Studies. They argue for the train service to introduce a business class, to also complete with airline travel and say this would be a first important step towards a better transport experience in NSW, marking the start of a new era of public transport for the greater Sydney region. We could clone those words for an argument for the Waikato service.
They suggest the timetables for the only comfortable train to service NSW’s major cities, the CountryLink XPT, should be changed so that day commuters to and from Sydney can use it. At present, it is suited only for tourists.
The report advocates for the Business class service to be introduced on all intercity routes, similar to first class services offered by train companies abroad. CityRail could either operate the new business class compartments or contract out the new service to private companies. The extra cost of business class passengers should be reflected in the ticket price.
“A simple solution would consist of charging twice the price of a standard fare. This would not even require new ticket machines. Beyond that, the business class service would not require additional public funding for the rail network. Quite the reverse, it could actually reduce the need for subsidies.
“For a start, it would not require any new or additional rolling stock. Although more modern carriages would probably be desirable in the long run, the V set intercity trains could be modified to include a business class.
“Introducing business class rail services for NSW’s intercity connections would be a straightforward, low-tech policy. It could be part of a new drive towards making rail a more effective competitor for private car journeys.
“In diverting traffic from roads to rail, business class services provide a solution to problems related to projected increases in population density and associated environmental impacts.”
You can read the full report here
It should give impetus to those advocating intercity services here to show how easily train services could be attractive to business customers as an alternative to buses and motorways.
We had Silver Fern railcars on offer for the Waikato link. This would be such a good trial for other areas, along the excellent thinking in this Sydney report.
- What countries elsewhere offer:
Virgin Trains (United Kingdom): Virgin Trains connects several British cities from London’s Euston station to destinations in Scotland, the West Midlands, and the English North West. Mobile phone charging points and power sockets for laptop computers can be found throughout the train. First class passengers can expect even more: a range of complimentary newspapers; free drinks (alcoholic as well); food served at the seat; free headphones for the on-board entertainment program; and high-speed wireless Internet (at extra charge to second class passengers). All these services are available even on relatively short distances such as London to Birmingham (duration: 84 minutes, 170 km). Even better: First class passengers can access lounges at all major stations, where they are served drinks, food and newspapers. The surcharge on a first class ticket compared to a standard fare depends on the booking class and whether it is booked in advance, but it is roughly double the price of a standard class ticket.
German Rail: Germany’s rail operator Deutsche Bahn AG routinely offers first class compartments and carriages on nearly all of its services (suburban, regional and national connections). There are lounges for first class passengers, and on InterCityExpress (ICE) trains food, drinks and newspapers are served at the seat. German Rail also offers radio and TV programs. They even produce their own TV programs (Bahn TV). It offers a bistro style cafe and a restaurant car to all passengers. Wireless broadband is currently being installed on ICE routes. On a short route like Hamburg to Hanover (120 km), the standard price for a second class InterCity ticket is €35 compared to €57 in first class (duration: 101 minutes). In the high-speed ICE, standard class costs €40 and first class €65 (duration: 95 minutes). Discounts are available if booked in advance or using a frequent traveler’s card.
Korea: Standard and first class is offered on Korea’s intercity trains. They do not have restaurants or buffet cars, but each train has 13 vending machines—10 for drinks and three for snacks. Plush first class seats are about 50% more expensive than standard class.
South Africa: In 2008, the South African rail company Metrorail launched a new train connection called Business Express between Johannesburg and Pretoria. Apart from offering comfortable seats, free refreshments on board, free papers, a laptop workstation with power points, and Wi-Fi Internet access, there are stewards and stewardesses in every coach. Perhaps even more importantly, the ticket includes free parking at the stations and a bus shuttle service from the stations to the CBD. This new train service was so successful that the South Africans are now considering replicating the model between Durban and Cape Town.
Related posts:
- Airlines Send Test Flights Through Ash Airlines have been sending "test flights' to see the latest...
- Waikato-Auckland Rail Link Deemed “Not Viable” The proposal for a Waikato to Auckland daily commuter service...
- Bid For Waikato Commuter Rail Service Increases The battle to get a Waikato to Auckland commuter rail...
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
2 Responses to “How Rail Can Compete With Domestic Airlines”
Auckland, NEW ZEALAND
Scheduling was a huge problem with the original Hamilton-Auckland commuter service. When the last service back in the evening is at a time that even a late-afternoon meeting means you risk missing the train, who’s going to use it? And forget the idea of having dinner in Auckland before heading south.
If they’re going to do it again, the last service needs to be leaving at an hour that allows people to get in a full day without being rushed. An 8pm departure, from each end, would give business people the chance to schedule meetings through to the end of the day, wind down or carry on working over dinner, and then get a train home. By all means have a service that departs at 5:30, for those who have no need or desire to stay later, but don’t make that the only option for return.
It’s a real shame that there’s no consideration being given to electrifying right through to Te Rapa. That would then allow electric trains to run all the way from Auckland to Wellington.
Matt don’t forget about the Palmerston Nth to Paraparaumu link as well.
it would be so awesome to have a reliable speedy electric train humming through the North Island countryside