What impact will the new ECML franchise have on BA to NCL and EDI
#46
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: City of Kingston Upon Hull
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 4,940
It is noticable that Beardy is rather quiet regarding monopolies on rail routes from the north and Scotland to London.
#47
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: UK
Programs: IC Hotels Spire, BA Gold
Posts: 8,669
I'm not sure how on train WiFi works these days but according to the original GNER promotional materials it was a combination of satellite and 3G meaning that it should still work in mobile dead spots. They also claimed it'd work in tunnels but not sure how that works (except for short tunnels where one end of the train is still outside).
#48
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 12,046
What you say is true. It's all well and good having these nice booking engines that pull out all these cheap fares, but wasn't it so much nicer when you didn't have to plan ahead, you knew the turn up and go fare was reasonable enough?
Even 10 years ago I thought turn up and go rail was affordable (although it was getting to the stage many disagreed)
Even 10 years ago I thought turn up and go rail was affordable (although it was getting to the stage many disagreed)
#49
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Mostly UK
Programs: Mucci Extraordinaire, Hilton Diamond, BA Gold (ex BD)
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I know it's possible to get mobile signal in tunnels (they have that on the TW Metro too, and well before 2002 they had reception of certain radio stations in the Tyne Tunnel), but the marketing materials at the time gave the impression that their system could magically work through tunnels, which of course it can't.
Now why can't we get the WiFi on the tube working, just in stations seems rather limited.
#50
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Lincoln UK/BKK
Programs: BAEC Gold, HH Gold
Posts: 423
Bugger the wifi, they've a big problem with the overhead lines tonight between Retford and Donny with 19 trains stood trying to get North. I'm due on the 06:06 from Newark in the morning, I'm not confident I will be on it.
#51
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: UK
Programs: I go wherever the content takes me.
Posts: 5,698
#52
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: UK
Programs: I go wherever the content takes me.
Posts: 5,698
ORCATS works by "guessing" how many passengers will take a certain service based on a number of factors like train frequency and available seats. Because East Coast operate 95% of the seats between York and London, they'll get 95% of the fare. (Numbers illustrative only)
If you can timetable trains to operate more seats between key destinations, you can argue for a higher share or interavailable revenue.
#53
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: UK
Programs: I go wherever the content takes me.
Posts: 5,698
#54
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: UK
Programs: I go wherever the content takes me.
Posts: 5,698
It would be a brilliant idea. Sadly there are no train paths available to make it a reality. Grand Central recently had an extension to their Track Access Agreement which leaves the ECML south of Doncaster pretty much log-jammed.
#55
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: London
Programs: BA CCR/GGL, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,483
I'm not sure how on train WiFi works these days but according to the original GNER promotional materials it was a combination of satellite and 3G meaning that it should still work in mobile dead spots. They also claimed it'd work in tunnels but not sure how that works (except for short tunnels where one end of the train is still outside).
#56
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Moscow / Aylesbury / Leeds
Programs: BA-GGL, SU-G Agean, G,, Hhonours D, Starwood G, IHG G,
Posts: 1,531
I would like to see trains in General have a huge impact on BA. I would love to see the new HS2 routed via LHR and BA interlined with those trains with a BA Code on them like Luftwaffe do, both as a way to earn TP's n Avios and a way to get much more long haul options.
But there again, that will not happen as no government in this country will ever come up with an integrated transport policy
But there again, that will not happen as no government in this country will ever come up with an integrated transport policy
#57
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,618
This is one of the current providers (for Virgin on the West Coast).
It doesn't matter how many people are using it, but you get very little coverage from Manchester to London.
I wonder if they changed their supplier? They know about the issues as there is a big red warning sign on the login page.
The Virgin hype a few months ago was that they were installing a new Wifi system that would be free-for-all. However, I'm not sure when or if this will evr materialise.
#58
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: UK
Programs: I go wherever the content takes me.
Posts: 5,698
Again, not a Virgin idea, it's the Government's... but Virgin will take the credit, as usual.
#59
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, LH Sen, MUCCI, Junior Jet Club.
Posts: 8,103
I am surprised that nobody has mentioned the fact that as part of the new franchise, there will be "regular" fast trains from London to Edinburgh with only one intermediate stop, at Newcastle.
http://m.stagecoach.com/media/news-r...014-11-27.aspx
which to me would indicate that they are at least planning on competing with BA on NCL and EDI...
Vastly improved timetable introduced from May 2019 featuring faster services, new direct services and improved weekend services
Regular weekday services between Edinburgh and London in just 4 hours, calling only at Newcastle, a journey time improvement of around 20 minutes compared with most of the fastest trains today
Regular weekday services between Edinburgh and London in just 4 hours, calling only at Newcastle, a journey time improvement of around 20 minutes compared with most of the fastest trains today
which to me would indicate that they are at least planning on competing with BA on NCL and EDI...
#60
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: The greatest wee nation on earth.
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Posts: 2,604
Do they not already have an early morning express from edinburgh or was that canned ( yes i watched some tv recently...). That service had to take business from ba. Regular could simply mean once a day, just like making sure your fibre intake is good....