Thoughts on Heathrow Express in-flight advertising

[whole diary]

[Thatcham Crossing]

They don't need to take off again.

Most of the "heavy" jets arriving at Kemble do meet their end there, but some also come for storage and do make it out again.

No problem to get a light 747 off that approx. 1,900m runway.

[Bmblbzzz]

The "No stops, no traffic," etc, clearly compare to going by road.

As for trying to buy a ticket, imagine how difficult it would be if you didn't speak – or read – (much) English. Obviously this applies to all transport terminals at all international airports. There might be a case for multilingual ticket machines at Heathrow, Gatwick, etc, as well as (favouring) employing staff with other languages there.

But I misread the thread title and thought this was going to be about advertising on the HEx. I hate those on-board screens and videos!

[grahame]

As for trying to buy a ticket, imagine how difficult it would be if you didn't speak – or read – (much) English.

Yes ... in my "day job" we receive a lot of international guests and from talking with them I'm very much aware of how difficult the transport system can be for them.  There is a strong case at airport stations and perhaps at other popular international-traffic stations (Stratford-upon-Avon, Bicester Village, Bath Spa ...) for additional assistance and / or multilingual signage; at other places the case is less strong, and (reduction ad absurdum) having signage in 10 languages at Dilton Marsh would be counterproductive.   Staff are usually helpful, but sometimes they're hard to find or absent, and on occasions they'll give advise that's plain wrong and moves passengers on to someone else's area.

The impartial retailing rules do not apply to Heathrow Express sales outlets. They only apply to DfT^» (Department for Transport - about)/Transport Scotland awarded rail franchises/concessions, and to the lead operator at National Rail stations.

So, for example, GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) at Paddington have to be impartial. HEx don't.

I'm tempted to describe the Heathrow situation, where there is no obligation to provide impartial ticketing at the UK^▸ (United Kingdom)'s prime international arrival point, as a scandal. In my view, there should be a prominent outlet offering ticketing to all stations on the Great Britain network for arriving passengers at best price for immediate travel, just as there is at every other staffed station.

[stuving]

I'm tempted to describe the Heathrow situation, where there is no obligation to provide impartial ticketing at the UK^▸ (United Kingdom)'s prime international arrival point, as a scandal. In my view, there should be a prominent outlet offering ticketing to all stations on the Great Britain network for arriving passengers at best price for immediate travel, just as there is at every other staffed station.

How touchingly naive! Airports have much higher priorities than that - and not just because they are privately owned. There's a lot of regional airports that exists primarily as status symbols.

Of course this public service stuff has a value to them as PR^▸ (Public Relations), but all airports are commercial to some extent and want to separate passengers from as much of their money as possible. That only really works well on departure, and for arrivals the traditional thinking was to steer everyone into a taxi. Eventually the airports just couldn't resist getting into that market, which is being squeezed between slower traffic and passengers in a hurry. So they provide trains, but at premium prices.

So a lot of effort goes into helping London taxis. I think it's still true that local taxis have no rank at Heathrow, despite those local destinations (especially going outwards) being ones for which a taxi is ideal. You have to book a car in advance. I thought that was a particular British perversity, until I found almost the same was true at Madrid. Uber may, or may not, provide a better option; I gather there is still a bit of a battle going on with the airport as well as the cabbies.

[grahame]

Of course this public service stuff has a value to them as PR^▸ (Public Relations), but all airports are commercial to some extent and want to separate passengers from as much of their money as possible.

How touchingly cynical.

I didn't suggest that the ticketing 'scandal' could easily be sorted ...I'm not that naive 

[Bmblbzzz]

having signage in 10 languages at Dilton Marsh would be counterproductive.   

I think there's a good case for at least two: Wiltshire and Railwayese!

[Chris from Nailsea]

... having signage in 10 languages at Dilton Marsh would be counterproductive.

... and physically impossible - there's not enough space for it. 

[Chris from Nailsea]

Of course this public service stuff has a value to them as PR^▸ (Public Relations), but all airports are commercial to some extent and want to separate passengers from as much of their money as possible. That only really works well on departure, and for arrivals the traditional thinking was to steer everyone into a taxi. Eventually the airports just couldn't resist getting into that market, which is being squeezed between slower traffic and passengers in a hurry. So they provide trains, but at premium prices.

So a lot of effort goes into helping London taxis. I think it's still true that local taxis have no rank at Heathrow, despite those local destinations (especially going outwards) being ones for which a taxi is ideal. You have to book a car in advance. I thought that was a particular British perversity, until I found almost the same was true at Madrid. Uber may, or may not, provide a better option; I gather there is still a bit of a battle going on with the airport as well as the cabbies.

My understanding is that it's the same at Bristol Airport: there is no public 'taxi rank', but vehicles are provided by a private hire firm. 

[chrisr_75]

Of course this public service stuff has a value to them as PR^▸ (Public Relations), but all airports are commercial to some extent and want to separate passengers from as much of their money as possible. That only really works well on departure, and for arrivals the traditional thinking was to steer everyone into a taxi. Eventually the airports just couldn't resist getting into that market, which is being squeezed between slower traffic and passengers in a hurry. So they provide trains, but at premium prices.

So a lot of effort goes into helping London taxis. I think it's still true that local taxis have no rank at Heathrow, despite those local destinations (especially going outwards) being ones for which a taxi is ideal. You have to book a car in advance. I thought that was a particular British perversity, until I found almost the same was true at Madrid. Uber may, or may not, provide a better option; I gather there is still a bit of a battle going on with the airport as well as the cabbies.

My understanding is that it's the same at Bristol Airport: there is no public 'taxi rank', but vehicles are provided by a private hire firm. 

Aberdeen is the same - the airport puts the main rank out to tender and one firm will buy access to the entire rank. Of course, pre-booked cars can collect people from the pick up points, but for 'walk up' fares, you only have the choice of a single company.

Interestingly, Bridgend station is the similar - the drivers/company pay NR^» (Network Rail - home page)/ATW^▸ (Arriva Trains Wales (former TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company))) (I'm not sure which) for access to the 3 spaces directly outside the station doors, whereas there is a council taxi rank no more than 10m away on a public road where you can get much cheaper taxis...

[ChrisB]

Bicester Village does have multi-language signage.