Cheap train fares AXED

[whole diary]

[Btline]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2030669/Cheap-train-fares-axed-rail-operator-claims-ease-overcrowding.html

Slow news day - I'd heard about this ages ago. Some very shoddy reporting (typical DM), and it doesn't make it clear from the start that it's XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) only

Still, why are they axing cheap fares at quiet times (e.g. Friday night, when I've travelled in a near empty coach through the heart of the network). It just gets people to buy walk up tickets, which lines XC's pockets nicely. Of course, the people with the Off Peak returns then travel in the Friday afternoon rush instead, causing mega overcrowding, whilst later train cart round fresh air (meaning trolley services and CHs are AXED to save even more money).

Who will rid us of this turbulent TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company)?

[ChrisB]

That item was originally posted on Monday (which was a slow news day)

Not before 9pm you haven't!.....read the article - they've only removed the *cheapest* (advance) fares, i.e. the lowest level - other advance fares are available. Better to try & move the students & OAPs to quieter trains?....I'm all for this, and it seems to be working. THeir trains are getting more comfortable over the weekend.

[Btline]

I know it's only the lowest band. It's DM headline reporting.

It's the blanket way they are doing it that I'm complaining about. They should look for the quietest services and keep the cheapest fares on these to entice people away from the "sardines express".

[ChrisB]

There just aren't any 'quieter services' at the times they've done away with these fares.....maybe the final one on Friday/Sunday evening, but that's all.

Need to persuade those able to travel during the week to do so - mainly OAPs

[JayMac]

The details about CrossCountry's yield management were leaked some months ago. The first I heard of it was from a topic started here in the Coffee Shop by ChrisB, linking to a post on the Penalty Fares Appeal Support website (PFAS) back in June. From which I started a similar thread over on RailUK forums. Apologies ChrisB, I should've cited you as a secondary source.....

So, 3 months later the Daily Mail decide it is newsworthy. I know the dead tree press can be a bit slow on the uptake, but 3 months?

And did Barry Doe really uncover this non-story? It's not been mentioned in his RAIL column as far as I'm aware. PFAS appear to be the primary source for the leaked intranet screencap. Besides, Mr Doe should know better than to provide quotes to the Daily Fail. Particularly after he got stung by Channel 4 Dispatches....

[readytostart]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2030669/Cheap-train-fares-axed-rail-operator-claims-ease-overcrowding.html
It just gets people to buy walk up tickets, which lines XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise))'s pockets nicely.

Not necessarily, on most parts of the network XC is not the main operator and as such an advance fare is worth more to them than their share of the Off Peak or Anytime fares on offer.

Yield management is not unique to the rail industry and it's whole purpose is geared towards shifting demand onto quieter periods. Passenger counts and historical data are used to distribute the quota of Advances on offer but at the busiest times trains were still becoming overcrowded with walk-up fares and season (many of whom travel on the same train every day but still do not make a reservation for it, even though they know it will be busy).

I wonder how many of Travelodge's headline ^19 rooms were on offer during the Edinburgh Festival? If any it was probably in single figures. Price matches demand up to the pre-set ceiling, in hotels that would be the rack (or advertised rate - the sky high one usually on a poster in the reception) and on the railway it is the walk up fare.

[ChrisB]

Can't disagree with that, BTLine. Sorry.