Re: Booked out Melb XPTs

[David Bromage <dbromage@omni.com.au>]

WhaleOilBeefHooked wrote:
> 
> Maurie Daly wrote in message ...
> 
> >Capacity of 7 car XPT is 40 seats per car average for 7 cars allowing
> >for slightly less in buffet car gives 280 seats.
> 
> Capacity of XPT:
> 
> XAM 18/27, XL 56, XBR 27, XF/XB 68, XFH 52 - total capacity of a seven car
> XPT - 357 in overnight mode, 366 in dayl mode.
> 
> >So for this train to break even it needs to be run at a minimum of 47%
> >capacity for passengers travelling all the way , more if passengers travel
> >part way.
> >If the train has a lot of concession fares then we need 95% capacity.
> 
> Given the actual capacity of the train is higher than you suggested, the
> load factors required for break even subsequently lower, and based on your
> figures, a full train would make a profit.

It doesn't quite work that way. The day train with 366 seats may have 500
or more passengers travel on it over the course of a journey. On one journey
from Armidale to Sydney, the PSS told me that the 222 seat Xplorer had more
than 400 different people on it over the course of the journey.

The only solution I can see to the XPT problem is to put in more powerful
engines and add more cars. That's the biggest problem with fixed sets.

Cheers
David