Re: conditions as train operators

[Dimitri Souprounovich <dima@alphalink.com.au>]

> ... the cost of living in the UK (not
> just London) is enormous compared to Australia, (even Sydney). Take a train
> journey from London to Birmingham (Virgin Trains), 114 miles

114 miles is 192 km

> First Class
> Rail Fare, 42 Pounds one-way (1997 prices), what is the 1st class fare from
> say Melbourne to Bendigo??? simular distance (although not in time).

Melb-Bendigo 156km is 92 miles
>                                                                       I bet
> its nowhere near $107.70 (at .39P) You would get there and back and back to
> Bendigo again for that much.

using the web on Friday 10/December/1999 at 2130 hrs...

(http://www.xe.net/ucc/convert.cgi) universal currency converter
1.00 GBP = 2.55798 AUD

(http://www.virgintrains.co.uk/)
leaving from: LONDON
going to:     BIRMINGHAM
ticket type:  VIRGIN VALUE FIRST
price from:   £44	AU$112.55
ticket type:  VIRGIN VALUE
price from:   £15	AU$38.37

Comparing local distances travelled :

(http://www.wcr.com.au/)
Melb-Camperdown 197km 
   Single Adult 1st class Economy Concession 1st class Economy
                $34.40    $24.50             $17.20    $12.25
                          £ 9.58     
(http://www.vline.vic.gov.au/fares.htm)
Melb-Ararat 204km
     single adult economy $26.90 £10.52  
Melb-Echuca 203km
     single adult economy $26.90 £10.52
Melb-Benalla 209km
     single adult economy $24.50 £ 9.58                            
Melb-Shepparton 187km
     single adult economy $23.30 £ 9.11
Melb-Sale 213km
     single adult economy $26.90
£10.52                                                   
Melb-Bendigo 156km
     single adult economy $20.80 £ 8.13

Quite obviously its cheaper to travel in Australia