>
>It's the same on the Spirit of Capricorn and for sitting car passengers on the >Queenslander, although the food is not included in the price. However where the buffet >is provided, as in the RBJ cars, it should be used. The Prospector and SoC are multiple >unit trains and have a simply galley rather than a buffet. The other difference is that >the trains with a trolley service travel in daylight for a lot of the journey whereas >the Overland is overnight. I've heard no complaints from passengers on other trains >about having to go to the buffet car. Having a buffet car DOES
>distinguish it from a bus.
The point about the Overland travelling overnight is taken but I would
think that many passengers would still want an evening meal and
breakfast. If the meals were included in the price of the ticket people
would not have an evening meal before getting on the train. On the
Mutiara Timur (Surabaya to Banyuwangi) meals are served at one's seat
although of course you have to pay for it. This I might add is an
overnight service.
Personally I actually prefer to eat my meal at my seat and be served at
my seat. I think that there is much to be said for personal service - I
think everybody appreciates a bit of personal attention and for me that
is one of the things i liked about Indonesia's railways. Granted you
have to pay for these little luxuries but having somebody come to you
and ask whether you would like a meal or a backrest is another way of
the staff saying that they care for your welfare. The airlines realise
this and their standard of personal service reflects this. When you fly
on an airline you know that the steward/stewardess is there to ensure
you have a comfortable and enjoyable flight. This is a potentially
strong dilineating factor between rail and coach transport. I think
Westrail are probably doing the right thing with the Prospector - people
certainly seemed to enjoy the trip on the day I went on it. I think
though that there is a level of service which should be achieved. One
can simply imagine this by imagining the Overland staffed by Ansett
stewards and stewardesses. You get the idea.
>
> It's also worth pointing out that Qantas does the catering for the
> Prospector.
Ok - Qantas stewards and stewardesses then!
>
> One of the biggest gripes I have heard is buffet car prices, particularly
> on Countrylink but I assume it's fairly universal. $1.50 is not a
> reasonable price for a coffee which costs about 10 cents to make.
The obvious response you have given is to reduce the cost of the cup of
coffee. You perceive that you are being charged a monopoly rent and
therefore you seek to reduce teh price to a level you assueme is
reasonable.
Such an approach does not however solve the economic problem of where
else the rail company is going to get that profit. Yes you might fill
those other seats but remember that there are costs associated with
having those seats there.
The solution as I see it is not to bring Mohammad Bromage to the
mountain but to bring the mountain to Mohammed Bromage. Instead of
offering you a cup of coffee for $1.50 you should instead be offered a
cappucino for $1.50. And not the cheapest low grade coffee - you should
get the very best and most memorable cappucino you have ever tasted. A
good exampl of the sort of coffee I am talking about is 'Piazza' coffee
with all thso wonderful flavourings (nut etc). Yum. I first was
introduced to these at Adelaide railway station (at the coffee shop just
up the walkway. When you drink a cup of coffee that tastes great like
the Piazza range and is very attractively presented (as Piazza coffees
are) you don't mind the slight extra charge.
> Operators should not see the buffet as an additional source of profit, but
> rather as a service to encourage more people to travel.
My point exactly - the 'experience' of rail travel has to be something
memorable with a standard of service you just dont get elsewhere.
>The profit should
> come from tickets, not food. 25 extra passengers will generate more
> overall revenue than an extra 50 cents on each cup of coffee. Tea or
> coffee is probably the most common item purchased at the buffet. If it was
> sold at a more reasonable price, it would probably encourage more people
> to go to the buffet "just for a coffee", but while there they would
> probably also buy something else on impulse.
You have missed the marketing concept David. You have to give the
punters what they want, not what you want to sell to them. 'Better to
give the punters a reasonably priced menu and meal that they will
remember rather than a cheap hot dog they will forget' [P.Berrett 1998 -
for those wishing to quote me]. LET THEM EAT CAPPUCINO AND CAKE RATHER
THAN SUFFER THE SCOURGE OF INSTANT COFFEE AND TEDDY BEAR BISCUITS!
You won't and can't get that standard of service on a bus!
> I would think that at least for first class passengers the fare should
> include supper (e.g. tea/coffee and biscuits) soon after departure, either
> delivered to your seat/berth or from the club car. First class should also
> get free a continental breakfast and morning newespaper delivered to your
> seat or berth. Also for sitting passengers, airline style pillows and
> blankets could be provided.
Very good - you are getting the idea now but there should only be 1
stadard of service - First class - and at an affordable price a la the
Prospector. You will never compete with the buses on a price war so what
you have to do is get the punters addicted to a standard of service the
buses can never provide.
<snip - countrylink stuff not relevant to Overland]
>
> I have heard a lot of people complain that alcohol prices are too high,
> however this may be a good thing. It discourages passengers from drinking
> too much and being an annoyance to others.
A very sensible idea - but also look at how pubs work. They offer good
quality meals at reasonable prices and then make all their profits on
the booze. The Overland should pick up on this idea.
cheers Peter