Nah... Hendon Central.

Despite frequent, chronic congestion on the M1, the coach/bus operators
seem to like it. Stelios' latest offering is easyBus between Hendon
Central and Luton Airport, with fares from £1 each way. Since I travel
to Luton regularly, I may try this out one weekend, as with Oyster you
get a combined fare from Z1 to Luton of (£1.80 * 2) + (£1 * 2) = £5.60,
which is about half of what you'd pay using the train (although
admittedly it's possible to do Luton to Kensington in an hour by train,
whereas it will probably take two hours with easyBus).

Meanwhile, National Express have launched their "NXL Shuttle" service
between Victoria, Golders Green and Birmingham. The advertising is based
on the fact that Silverlink are withdrawing their cheap train service,
and emphasises that the maximum fare is £20.50 rtn.

--
Dave Arquati
Imperial College, SW7
www.alwaystouchout.com - Transport projects in London

From: Dave Arquati
Date: 15/09/2004 23:05 GMT

Meanwhile, National Express have launched their "NXL Shuttle" service
between Victoria, Golders Green and Birmingham. The advertising is based
on the fact that Silverlink are withdrawing their cheap train service,
and emphasises that the maximum fare is £20.50 rtn.

And both National Express Coaches and Silverlink are owned by the same holding
company, National Express Group! So perhaps the advertising's an interesting
example of segmentation, as writers like Kotler would call it. Kick people
after a cheap deal off your trains but put a bus on instead to keep some of the
revenue *in the family".

On 15 Sep 2004 22:15:27 GMT, are (Acrosticus) wrote:

From: Dave Arquati
Date: 15/09/2004 23:05 GMT

Meanwhile, National Express have launched their "NXL Shuttle" service
between Victoria, Golders Green and Birmingham. The advertising is based
on the fact that Silverlink are withdrawing their cheap train service,
and emphasises that the maximum fare is £20.50 rtn.

And both National Express Coaches and Silverlink are owned by the same holding
company, National Express Group! So perhaps the advertising's an interesting
example of segmentation, as writers like Kotler would call it. Kick people
after a cheap deal off your trains but put a bus on instead to keep some of the
revenue *in the family".

Well I've pondered the adverts and felt it was a bit cheeky of NatX to
launch this campaign. However the decision to curtail Silverlink's
service at Northampton is a SRA one so in one sense you can't blame NatX
from seeking to exploit what they obviously consider a gap in the
market. Virgin are not exactly known for having cheap fares available on
all journeys and they will effectively have a monopoly unless people are
prepared to change trains with all of the inconvenience that can entail
if the timetable is poorly designed.
--
Paul C


Admits to working for London Underground!

In article ,
(Paul Corfield) wrote:

Well I've pondered the adverts and felt it was a bit cheeky of NatX to
launch this campaign. However the decision to curtail Silverlink's
service at Northampton is a SRA one so in one sense you can't blame NatX
from seeking to exploit what they obviously consider a gap in the
market. Virgin are not exactly known for having cheap fares available on
all journeys and they will effectively have a monopoly unless people are
prepared to change trains with all of the inconvenience that can entail
if the timetable is poorly designed.

What about Chiltern?

--
Colin Rosenstiel

Dave Arquati wrote:
Meanwhile, National Express have launched their "NXL Shuttle" service
between Victoria, Golders Green and Birmingham. The advertising is based
on the fact that Silverlink are withdrawing their cheap train service,
and emphasises that the maximum fare is £20.50 rtn.

Chiltern have a £15 return with in a month fare, and theyre faster,
safer and nicer.
--
To reply direct, remove NOSPAM and replace with railwaysonline
For railway information, news and photos see http://www.railwaysonline.co.uk
"You love railways online"

Joe wrote:
Dave Arquati wrote:

Meanwhile, National Express have launched their "NXL Shuttle" service
between Victoria, Golders Green and Birmingham. The advertising is
based on the fact that Silverlink are withdrawing their cheap train
service, and emphasises that the maximum fare is £20.50 rtn.


Chiltern have a £15 return with in a month fare, and theyre faster,
safer and nicer.

Which I am very aware of, as a Chiltern user and fan. However, NatEx
have the upper hand on the wording - after all £15 is Chiltern's best
fare, not their maximum fare. Personally I'd rather have a more
time-restricted smooth ride out of Marylebone than a ride up the M1, but
that's the passenger's call!

--
Dave Arquati
Imperial College, SW7
www.alwaystouchout.com - Transport projects in London