Re: Traveling on the XPT

[Mike.Roebuck@cobblers.datacomm.ch (Michael Roebuck)]

On Fri, 27 Aug 1999 17:07:24 +1000, "Rod Gayford"
<rjaygee@smartchat.net.au> wrote:

  I have always
>wondered whether you could have made a quid if someone purchased a dozen of
>the Southern Aurora cars, ripped out the sleeping berths, placed in lots of
>seats and charged say $30 to Melbourne.  One car could have no seats with
>back packers bunking on the floor at say $10. I believe some overseas
>railways have this back packer service.

Don't know about that, but some European railways ( DBAG in Germany
for one) offer basic couchette coaches at lower rates for backpackers
than the other travellers. Basically this means that the backpackers
get the 6 berths per compartment without linen or service, and can use
their own sleeping bags. I think this is a good idea - the backpackers
still get a decent surface to sleep on, and the railway saves money
and still covers costs.

cheers

--
Mike Roebuck, Riehen, Switzerland  icq#7018252 
'53 M Y* L-- KQ+ C c++ B11 Sh11 FCYork SSWFC R(Basle)
Reply To: mike(dot)roebuck(at)datacomm(dot)ch