Great Western Coffee Shop

When is 1st Class not 1st Class?

When it's 'Business Zone'.

From the introduction of the new 'Mainline' timetable on September 5th, Chiltern will be introducing a new class of travel called 'Business Zone'. This is not 1st Class but will be open to all ticket holders on payment of a ^20 supplement one way. On two contra-peak services the supplement will be ^10. Some hot catering will be available as well. They mention bacon rolls (not microwaved!)

'Business Zone' will be utilising the former Wrexham & Shropshire TFRBs which are being added to Chiltern's loco-hauled services.

More information:

http://www.chilternrailways.co.uk/mainline/faqs
http://www.chilternrailways.co.uk/mainline/experience

The TFRBs are already on the trains - currently free.

Currently, witness mad rush for those seats....

Also witness mad rush by those same folks for Coach B after Business Zone introduction - its the only other coach with wifi....

It's an interesting concept they've come up with to generate additional revenue from the TFRBs. I wonder how many business passengers they'll poach from Virgin for the Brum-London run?

Compare the Brum - London route: High Wycombe Standard Anytime Return fare plus 2x ^20 supplement = ^115, with the route: Any Permitted 1st Class Anytime fare, which you need on Virgin, at ^240. Could be seeing some aggressive marketing from Chiltern. That's a big price difference when all that Virgin offer, over and above Chiltern, is 10-15 minutes quicker journey time and some free food and drink. Much nicer environment in the ex W&S TFRBs as well.

Be interesting to see how the reservationsa in that coach will work too.