GSR Overland Service (or lack of Service)

Neil Waller (nwaller@denr.sa.gov.au)
Fri, 07 Nov 1997 12:07:42 +1030

The Overland has lost the Club Car.

GSR advertise that:

"All First Class passengers have for their use the Buffet Car,
where they can purchase drinks and light snacks in the evening."

For Coach class:

"Snacks and low-alcoholic beverages can be purchased from the
Coach Class section of the Buffet Car."

This implies a different level of service for First class and
Coach class passengers reflecting the vastly difference price paid:

First Class (Sleeper only) $178, and Coach Class Seat $56.

The "Buffet Car" is the RBJ car with coach class passengers
occupying the seats.

Now if I am to pay $178 for a Roomette Sleeper I want to be able
to get out of it in the evening particularly and socialise with
my fellow passengers and be able to see whats happening outside
of the train on both sides not just the restricted view from my
berth.

GSR have lost a potential passenger: I will not travel Coach class
overnight, and I will not pay $178 for little service in first
class.

It seems the major factor is the cost of providing a service
rather than the quality of the service.

Of course cost is a factor, but then if the 2 first class cars are
full then GSR is pulling in $5040 to provide the sleeping service.

A Club Car attendant can't cost that much a night.

-- 
Neil Waller	(nwaller@denr.sa.gov.au)
Department of Environment Heritage and Aboriginal Affairs
Telephone:	Oz: (08) 8204 9218; International: (618) 8204 9218
Mail:		GPO Box 1047, ADELAIDE 5001     Australia


Unless explicitly attributed, the opinions expressed are personal
and not those of DEHAA or the South Australian Government.