Train travel grows at airlines’ expense
Posted: 3 March 2010 | | No comments yet
East Coast’s share of the rail and air travel market between Edinburgh and London has almost doubled in five years.
East Coast's share of the rail and air travel market between Edinburgh and London has almost doubled in five years.
TRAINS are beating planes in the battle for customers, according to new figures released today. In just five years, train operator East Coast’s share of the rail and air travel market between Edinburgh and London has almost doubled, from 12 per cent in 2005 to 23 per cent in January of this year.
East Coast train
East Coast trains are also racing ahead between Newcastle and London. In 2005 rail held a 45 per cent share of the market – by January of this year, rail’s share had leapt to 66 per cent, a 21 per cent increase.
The latest figures for East Coast are the best achieved by trains on its route for ten years – providing compelling proof that more and more long-distance travellers are voting with their feet and choosing the train instead of the plane.
East Coast managing director Karen Boswell said: “The latest statistics clearly show that our trains are attracting the biggest market share for a decade on our two most keenly-contested long-distance routes.
“Air passengers endure lengthy transfers to and from out-of-town airports and delays checking in and out. East Coast customers relax and enjoy city centre to city centre journeys on a consistently more punctual service. Our trains offer free wireless internet access, creating a mobile office environment, and tasty food and drink – plus great views along the way.
“We’re cutting the cost of travel with our miniature prices, with bargain fares which are much cheaper than a generation ago. Our cheapest one-way fare between Edinburgh and London costs 39 per cent less than the lowest priced train ticket between the capitals more than 30 years ago in 1979. No wonder more people are choosing the train over the plane.”
East Coast also offers a wide range of tailored travel packages to suit the business traveller. First Class or Standard all-inclusive packages can be bought for the same price as an Anytime ticket, offering as much as £70 worth of extras at no extra cost. Benefits include on-train dining, car parking and travel by London Underground in zones 1 and 2.