What else do you think TOCs could do to entice passengers back onto the railway?

[yorkie]

Other than the following matters, for which we already have dedicated threads....

• Lower fares : https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/is-now-the-time-to-start-reducing-rail-fares-to-entice-passengers.206624
• Catering improvements: https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...ou-like-to-see-over-the-next-few-weeks.207148
• Timetable improvements: https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...like-to-see-made-in-the-coming-months.207145/ )

...what other changes could TOCs make to entice passengers back onto the railway?

 

[Ianno87]

Given how slowly commuters are likely are to be to return, a hefty discount on peak station car parking charges would be prudent.

 

[John Hunt]

I mentioned this briefly in the 'reducing fares' thread.
Yes - there would be massive logistical problems in re-launching the 'Merrymaker' idea, but if getting families back on the rails is what is needed then I feel it should be at least explored!
Concerning prices; yes, the old 'Merrymaker' was ridiculously low priced but that, I feel, was due to the availability of stock and locos and the fact that area managers had more of a say in what 'deals' they could offer.
Destinations? The sky is the limit really. The only thing that probably would not work now would be the 'Mystery' trips - too easy to find out what the destination is with RTT these days (unless it is booked as a STP or VST working).

 

[bramling]

Other than the following matters, for which we already have dedicated threads....

• Lower fares : https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/is-now-the-time-to-start-reducing-rail-fares-to-entice-passengers.206624
• Catering improvements: https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...ou-like-to-see-over-the-next-few-weeks.207148
• Timetable improvements: https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...like-to-see-made-in-the-coming-months.207145/ )

...what other changes could TOCs make to entice passengers back onto the railway?

The biggest one at the moment I’d say is running the maximum possible length trains where viable to do so, to ensure people can travel with space around them.

 

[Starmill]

I raised this in another thread, but I personally think that the overriding issue here is one of confidence.

TOCs have already made many attempts to give people confidence, from advertising about cleaning and requesting the wearing of face coverings on trains.

There are some practical measures that could give people confidence which so far haven't been offered. How about marketing a guarantee signed up to by all train companies that nobody will have to pay more if their train is too busy? Currently, if a train is full and standing making someone uncomfortable to board because social distancing would be no longer possible, they must seek permission to travel on another train, or risk being asked to buy a new ticket, given a Penalty Fare or prosecuted if their ticket was otherwise not valid (for example an off peak ticket being used at a restricted time).

Automatic ticket acceptance on the next service, or if that's not possible the next service by the same operator, including for Advance tickets, where a train was too full to board could help people to book tickets with confidence.

 

[PR1Berske]

I raised this in another thread, but I personally think that the overriding issue here is one of confidence.

TOCs have already made many attempts to give people confidence, from advertising about cleaning and requesting the wearing of face coverings on trains.

There are some practical measures that could give people confidence which so far haven't been offered. How about marketing a guarantee signed up to by all train companies that nobody will have to pay more if their train is too busy? Currently, if a train is full and standing making someone uncomfortable to board because social distancing would be no longer possible, they must seek permission to travel on another train, or risk being asked to buy a new ticket, given a Penalty Fare or prosecuted if their ticket was otherwise not valid (for example an off peak ticket being used at a restricted time).

Automatic ticket acceptance on the next service, or if that's not possible the next service by the same operator, including for Advance tickets, where a train was too full to board could help people to book tickets with confidence.

That's a great idea and would also prove that TOCs and all assorted bodies can actually work together to (a)mend the system when required. It would perhaps prove that ticketing modernisation is possible, despite the years of waffle and wiffle surrounding the matter. Presenting passengers with a "Next Train Guarantee" would show flexibility and a good response to a difficult situation.

 

[43096]

Other than the following matters, for which we already have dedicated threads....

• Lower fares : https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/is-now-the-time-to-start-reducing-rail-fares-to-entice-passengers.206624
• Catering improvements: https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...ou-like-to-see-over-the-next-few-weeks.207148
• Timetable improvements: https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...like-to-see-made-in-the-coming-months.207145/ )

...what other changes could TOCs make to entice passengers back onto the railway?

A total change in attitude, away from default of treating passengers (“self loading cargo” is how they are described by staff at times) anywhere from a nuisance to assuming everyone’s a fare dodger, would be a start.

 

[Huntergreed]

A total change in attitude, away from default of treating passengers (“self loading cargo” is how they are described by staff at times) anywhere from a nuisance to assuming everyone’s a fare dodger, would be a start.

I agree an industry wide change of attitude is required. Particularly with regards to revenue, the current attitude seems to be “dodger until proven otherwise”, and it’s not effective, fair or enticing in any way for prospective passengers.

 

[PR1Berske]

Dare I suggest that the railway in these uncertain times (and remember this is the "new normal", it's August, COVID has been with us for 9 or 10 months, it's not going away) could learn a lot from the airline industry. As said above, passengers should be treated as passengers. Prove that the industry takes security seriously, takes comfort seriously, takes the idea of taking a journey to a destination seriously. Now is the time to think about the "service" element of "customer service."

 

[Huntergreed]

Dare I suggest that the railway in these uncertain times (and remember this is the "new normal", it's August, COVID has been with us for 9 or 10 months, it's not going away) could learn a lot from the airline industry. As said above, passengers should be treated as passengers. Prove that the industry takes security seriously, takes comfort seriously, takes the idea of taking a journey to a destination seriously. Now is the time to think about the "service" element of "customer service."

Indeed. The railway can be described as, in many places, a glorified bus service, far from what it should be. There’s a major attitude change needed, rather than squeezing people into 2 coach buses on rails, they need to start making big changes. Intercity Services should be comparable in comfort and standard to medium distance air travel, not long distance bus travel, as it currently is.

 

[Clayton]

Indeed. The railway can be described as, in many places, a glorified bus service, far from what it should be. There’s a major attitude change needed, rather than squeezing people into 2 coach buses on rails, they need to start making big changes. Intercity Services should be comparable in comfort and standard to medium distance air travel, not long distance bus travel, as it currently is.

To be fair a lot of air travel is akin to long distance bus travel. But yes, the attitude that even if you’ve paid over a hundred quid for the fare you have to just accept crowding, poor facilities, and delays has to go. Some posters on here don’t seem particularly customer focused.

 

[squizzler]

I agree an industry wide change of attitude is required. Particularly with regards to revenue, the current attitude seems to be “dodger until proven otherwise”, and it’s not effective, fair or enticing in any way for prospective passengers.

Indeed. The railway can be described as, in many places, a glorified bus service, far from what it should be. There’s a major attitude change needed, rather than squeezing people into 2 coach buses on rails, they need to start making big changes. Intercity Services should be comparable in comfort and standard to medium distance air travel, not long distance bus travel, as it currently is.

Thr rail travel is its own thing, and should not attempt to emulate either the plane or bus operators - but should steal the relevant ideas from both. For instance, when shuffling from the security to a nearby bench to reinstall shoes and belt, one might think the plane business works on the assumption not so much 'fare dodger till proven otherwise' but suicide bomber, hardly a positive assumption the rail industry should seek to emulate.

Incidentally whilst there is a lot of good discussion over things which probably cross over into Williams Review territory (fare system and conditions of carriage, industry structure), hygiene of travel seems to be the main concern, and the public are probably not yet fully aware of the way it has been successfully addressed by operators. An advertising campaign should make the current industry practices in this regard much clearer.

They could also reinforce the message that the train services are less busy and more punctual than ever.