Budget Train Operators: Could they work in The UK?

[DanNCL]

What is Getlink?

Getlink is the new name for Eurotunnel

 

[goblinuser]

Getlink is the new name for Eurotunnel

Really? LOL

 

[route:oxford]

Well, I suppose if the general public are prepared to sit on a coach that takes hours to get anywhere for a journey that's cheap, then they would presumably do the same on a train

Well, when going to London I have the choice of:-

Train from Oxford Central
Train from Oxford Parkway
Train from Haddenham & Thame Parkway
Train from Didcot
Tube from Thornhill
X90 from Thornhill

My quickest journey from home to London is via Train from Haddenham & Thame to Marylebone. However, the parking at H&T costs 3x more than Thornhill and Oxford Parkway and the fares are often 4x more expensive than catching the same train from Oxford Central or Oxford Parkway.

So I buy a couple of carnets for the X90 and the Tube and do the journey for £6 each way safe in the knowledge that whilst I might have to wait 30 minutes for a service at Paddington or Marylebone, I'll rarely wait more than around 8 minutes for a service to or from Marble Arch.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

It used to be Groupe Eurotunnel, renamed last November.
Shows how good their brand recognition is...
(I had to think myself, and I'm a shareholder!).

 

[yorksrob]

Given how much Getlink currently charge for Channel Tunnel access, I'm not sure it's possible. Based on the charges quoted on page 40 of their 2018 Network Statement - https://www.getlinkgroup.com/upload...usiness/2018-Eurotunnel-Network-Statement.pdf - they want about €19 per passenger each way, plus about €4000-€5000 per train each way on top of that, plus €7500 admin fee per train per timetable season! (Prices in that seem to be quoted as 2015 prices, so you need to add 3 years inflation to them)

Even if you could get a cheap train that complied with the fire safety rules, and cheaper rail access rates at each end by avoiding the high speed lines, and find cheaper stations at which you'll still need to pay for all the security and immigration stuff, I can't see how you can really undercut Eurostar given how much Getlink are trousering off each train

Ah well. I guess the market would be there, even if the infrastructure provider wouldn't be prepared to countenance it.

As for the classic route into London - I would say Ashford - Maidstone East - Victoria/Waterloo. You might even be able to run via Tonbridge if you go off-peak.

 

[yorksrob]

It used to be Groupe Eurotunnel, renamed last November.
Shows how good their brand recognition is...
(I had to think myself, and I'm a shareholder!).

Ah, I didn't know until now either ! Cheers.

 

[yorksrob]

Well, when going to London I have the choice of:-

Train from Oxford Central
Train from Oxford Parkway
Train from Haddenham & Thame Parkway
Train from Didcot
Tube from Thornhill
X90 from Thornhill

My quickest journey from home to London is via Train from Haddenham & Thame to Marylebone. However, the parking at H&T costs 3x more than Thornhill and Oxford Parkway and the fares are often 4x more expensive than catching the same train from Oxford Central or Oxford Parkway.

So I buy a couple of carnets for the X90 and the Tube and do the journey for £6 each way safe in the knowledge that whilst I might have to wait 30 minutes for a service at Paddington or Marylebone, I'll rarely wait more than around 8 minutes for a service to or from Marble Arch.

Yes, I can see why people would. I'd get a slower train on a longer route for a cheaper price.

 

[Gagravarr]

Ah well. I guess the market would be there, even if the infrastructure provider wouldn't be prepared to countenance it.

Getlink (formerly EuroTunnel) claim to be in favour of it, and are mostly blaming the UK and French governments! If you look at their 2013 submission to the Transport Select committee - https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmselect/cmtran/1001/1001we03.htm - and skip down to the State Barriers to entry & growth section (2.4 to 2.10), you'll see them laying the blame at the Governments and their actions rather than Getlink/Eurotunnel...

 

[yorksrob]

Getlink (formerly EuroTunnel) claim to be in favour of it, and are mostly blaming the UK and French governments! If you look at their 2013 submission to the Transport Select committee - https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmselect/cmtran/1001/1001we03.htm - and skip down to the State Barriers to entry & growth section (2.4 to 2.10), you'll see them laying the blame at the Governments and their actions rather than Getlink/Eurotunnel...

Well, they can say what they like, but if they've priced everyone out of the market they can't expect people to propose services.

I suppose Eurostar scrapping the most appropriate potential fleet doesn't help either.