Overland survive strategy?

["James C." <james_ccj@optusnetdotcomdotau>]

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