Re: Overland survive strategy?

[Tell <telljb@ozemail.com.au>]

There is always the now very seriously under patronised
XPT's over on the East Coast. :)

....Tell


>"Peter Berrett" <pberrett@optushome.com.au> wrote:

> Travel times to/from Adelaidce need to be reduced further. The cut in train
> times has been welcome but I believe that a 4-5 hour service would make the
> service considerably more attractive, especially to football fans.
> 
> How much upgrading of track would be needed to achieve this I know not
> however I dont think we are talking VFT speeds here.
> 
> cheers Peter
> 
> 
> James C. <james_ccj@optusnetdotcomdotau> wrote in message
> news:3abde521$0$25500$7f31c96c@news01.syd.optusnet.com.au...
> > Overland can survive if some new strategy injecting to this service:
> >
> > *Fare adjust to competitive level.
> >
> >
> > *Upgrade the train to a truely luxury train,
> >
> > GSR can do this with almost no cost, from 1st Apr all the first class
> Indian
> > Pacific and Ghan lounge cars will lost their name and Overland can use any
> > of the IP/Ghan lounge to uplift its image. Currently there are 4 IP
> > desinated lounges, 2 Ghan desinated lounges, 1 rarely used conference
> > car(fit with black leather couch in lounge car setting) and 2 luxury
> > "Bluebirds engineer"'s lounges ocassionally appear in the consist.( BR102
> > and  http://www.railpage.org.au/comrails/sar_carriages/b_bluebird_100.html
> > and BMC1 ).
> >
> > The sitters and sleepers already been refurbished and shouldn't need
> anymore
> > upgrade(perphas enhance entertainment range)
> >
> >
> > *Joint operation with local tourist operators and accomadation package
> offer
> > to passengers.
> > (also, how about free metcard for everyone? hence easier for passengers to
> > travel to and from SSS)
> >
> >
> > *Cooperate with airlines as a joint package experience.
> >
> > If you can't beat them, join them ! but inorder to attract passengers and
> > make them feel this package is worthy, the train itself has to improve
> > luxury.
> >
> >
> > *Modify timetable
> >
> > either run twice daily (day and night XPT style timetable) or continue
> with
> > current schedule but extend once weekly to Sydney via Melbourne.
> >
> > #Twice daily would improve flexibility when it comes to cooperation with
> > airlines and for passengers choice. Night service no doubt save time and
> > accomadation for travellers.  Daylight service can be as succesful as many
> > SA and western Victorian towns are not properly serve by public
> transports.
> > Twice daily service however maybe costly.
> >
> > #Keep current schedule and addition a Sydney service on Tuesday:
> >                    Tuesday
> > Adelaide        900
> > Melbourne   1940
> >                     2010
> > Sydney           810
> >                      (Wednesday)
> > Sydney           910
> > Melbourne     2110/2140
> > Adelaide          740
> >                     (Thursday) based on Overland can do Adelaide-Melbourne
> > trip in 9 and half hours.
> >
> > So there would be additional weekly service from Sydney-Adelaide.
> >
> > Cheers
> > James
> >
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