Reply To: LCY expansion opposition

[PeteM]

jj wrote:

To be competitive for me, international trains need to consistently offer:

– through ticketing from a well-known, reputable portal
– tickets sales up to 12 months in advance
– regional connections that don’t rely on big city terminals and underground/metro systems
– checked baggage services including connections
– first class accommodation including quality food and lounges on all key services
– clean, well-maintained station environments with good security and prompt removal of drunk, drugged or otherwise disruptive people
– English language customer services readily available to assist with missed connections, etc
– safe, pleasant hotel facilities close to stations for overnight stops
– prices compatible with air fares
– reserved seating that actually works on most journeys (unlike GWR)
– far fewer cancellations, delays and shortened trains than we currently experience

That’s a long list that makes you realise just how much the airline industry has achieved compared with its moribund competition.

Maybe politicians should try carrots as well as sticks if they want to achieve net zero.

This really is comparing apples to oranges, isn’t it…