Car Hire launched across First Great Western network

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the First Great Western press release:

Have you ever wanted to take the train but are put off by the distance from the station to your final destination? Help is at hand as First Great Western (FGW^▸ (First Great Western)) brings car hire to their network of stations.

In partnership with Europcar, the leader in car hire services in the UK^▸ (United Kingdom), FGW has launched a meet and greet car hire service, providing reduced cost car and van rental at 20 of FGW^s leading destinations.

Enhancing the customer^s journey, from start to finish, the meet and greet service will see a Europcar representative meet you at the station with your hire vehicle and when booked through the FGW website you will receive a minimum 10% discount.

First Great Western^s David Gardner explains: ^Whether you are a businessman travelling to a meeting or a family going on holiday, many people would like to take advantage of train travel but are often put off by the difficulty in reaching the final destination. This partnership provides the perfect onward travel solution, where you will be looked after by FGW^s helpful and friendly staff and then met by Europcar as you step off the train.^ 

Or you can simply take advantage of the FGW discount by booking through the website, for collection from any one of hundreds of Europcar locations across the UK.

Managing Director of Europcar UK Group Ken McCall comments: ^We are really excited by this new partnership with First Great Western which truly reflects our mission of ^moving your way^. By providing our Meet and Greet staff at 20 First Great Western destinations, we^re able to help business and leisure travellers continue on their journey with the ultimate convenience. The wide range of makes and models available at every location means we will have the vehicle that suits each traveller^s needs and the minimum 10% discount promised for all First Great Western customers helps with costs too. As soon as the customer leaves the train, they will be met by a Europcar representative who will take them to their pre-booked hire car so that they can continue their journey in comfort.^ 

To celebrate the new partnership between First Great Western and Europcar we are offering you the chance to win a Mercedes for the weekend, or a similar vehicle from Europcar^s Prestige range, as well as two First Class train tickets from any of our meet and greet stations. To enter and for the full terms and conditions click here. The competition is open until Sunday 16 June.

[grahame]

First Great Western^s David Gardner explains: ^Whether you are a businessman travelling to a meeting or a family going on holiday, many people would like to take advantage of train travel but are often put off by the difficulty in reaching the final destination. ...

Many a true word spoken out of context.  I can't foresee any way that will mean all of the people can reach their destination easily all of the time, but there are many quick, straightforward and often cheap or low cost solution and sustainable solutions available as well as car hire 

[ChrisB]

To celebrate the new partnership between First Great Western and Europcar we are offering you the chance to win a Mercedes for the weekend, or a similar vehicle from Europcar^s Prestige range, as well as two First Class train tickets from any of our meet and greet stations

My emphasis! I assume they actually mean 'to', not from. Why would you otherwise Meet & Gereet to pick up a car & then want to use 1st class tickets?....oops.

Also, you missed an important part of the release - in the notes....

The meet and greet service will be available from the following stations:  London Paddington, Burnham, Basingstoke, Bath Spa, Brighton, Bristol Parkway, Bristol Temple Meads, Cardiff Central, Exeter St David^s, Guildford, Newport, Newquay, Oxford, Plymouth, Newton Abbot, Penzance, Salisbury, Southampton, Swansea and Worcester Foregate Street.

Understand most of why they've picked these, but Burnham?.....Surely there are more obvious choices? seems odd choice

[Red Squirrel]

Understand most of why they've picked these, but Burnham?.....Surely there are more obvious choices? seems odd choice

That'll be Burnham Bucks as opposed to Burnham-on-Mud...

[stuving]

Europcar's Slough location is much nearer to Burnham than to Slough station. It is even closer to Burnham station than is the place where they have put their "Burnham M+G" marker on their map...

There may also be a lack of lurking space for the cars at Slough station - but on the other hand, there's a lack of suitable trains at Burnham.