SNCF launch new coach service London - Lille - Paris

[radamfi]

www.idbus.co.uk

 

[Schnellzug]

Competing with themselves, since they 55% own Eurostar?

 

[radamfi]

They also compete with themselves between Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam as SNCF is involved in Thalys.

I assume the logic is the same as Stagecoach's Magicbus. They create a low cost version of themselves to minimise the chance of someone else competing.

 

[WestCoast]

I think the competition here is mostly road-based, in the form of Megabus and Eurolines. It's not uncommon for transport companies to 'compete' in this manner, even British Airways has a shareholding in Eurostar.

 

[radamfi]

If you believe the press release, they seem to think the main competitor is the car. They seem to want to position themselves as a more upmarket form of coach service, for example with pre-selected seats and better driver training. Of course this is reflected in higher fares than Eurolines or Megabus, although there are €5/£5 promotional fares.

 

[LE Greys]

I think the competition here is mostly road-based, in the form of Megabus and Eurolines. It's not uncommon for transport companies to 'compete' in this manner, even British Airways has a shareholding in Eurostar.

Indeed, the Ministry of Transport 'competed against itself' on numerous routes before National Express and British Airways were privatised.

 

[ChristopherJ]

What mode of transport is used across the English Channel? Ferry or Train?

I know Eurolines uses a both, I went overnight by coach from London to Paris and return in Feburary and our service used the Train out and Ferry (P&O) back.

 

[Schnellzug]

They do rather make it sound as if they've designed a whole new purpose-designed model of coach specially for them..

"When designing iDBUS coaches, we ensured there was sufficient room for 2 items of luggage per passenger in the hold (depending on availability)."

http://www.idbus.co.uk/coach

Do they operate it themselves (they do operate buses, don't they), or do they use contractors like Eurolines?

 

[Yew]

What mode of transport is used across the English Channel? Ferry or Train?

I know Eurolines uses a both, I went overnight by coach from London to Paris and return in Feburary and our service used the Train out and Ferry (P&O) back.

Bus-car comparison

Compare the price of your journey by bus with the average cost of a return weekend trip by car.
LONDRES
PARIS
Fuel:
81.48 £
Tolls*:
174.00 £
Parking:
24.55 £
Total:
280.03 £

Average price for a return trip by car and one day's car parking fees.
*The toll of the Chunnel is included in the price for tickets to and from London

Seems to be Chunnel, however I imagine they will have some arrangement with ferry providers in case of chunnel problems

 

[jopsuk]

I don't know much/anything about coaches, but I can search google/drill down inside websites- could the coach-knowledgeable confirm that they're using midrange Setra Comfort Class S416GTs?

The "Top Class" models don't have that "pod" on the roof. There's another publicity photo I've seen showing one on Westminster bridge.

 

[Pugwash]

I cannot see if they carry bikes ?

It seems that purchase of a brompton style bike is becoming necessary if you want to use on public transport.

 

[radamfi]

I cannot see if they carry bikes ?

It seems that purchase of a brompton style bike is becoming necessary if you want to use on public transport.

Very few coach or bus services accept standard bikes. I think the Oxford Tube between Oxford and London is an exception. Even in the Netherlands, the world leader in cycling, cycles are banned from trains in rush hours and only carried off-peak on payment of a €6 day ticket. Buses in the Netherlands don't accept cycles at all. Folding bikes are allowed though.

 

[Schnellzug]

Curiously enough, they sometimes do in America though. You'll see regular service buses with bike racks on the front. I'm not sure I'd feel safe putting a
Bike there.
And Wilts & Dorset do with the New Forest Tour, I believe.

 

[radamfi]

To be honest, I think the ease of taking bikes on public transport is an indicator of how POOR cycle provision is in that country. Just imagine if cycles were free to be carried on Dutch trains and buses. There would be chaos!

 

[telstarbox]

More competition on the London-Paris market should be good for passengers.
This ID-BUS looks quite aspirational, like the Greyhound UK services:

Travelling by coach is about sharing. Sharing cultures, life experiences, dreams. But also certain values that are indispensable so that everyone, both young and not so young, can spend an agreeable moment together.

Sounds like a mobile phone advert!

 

[anthony263]

Just seen this:

http://www.passengertransport.co.uk/2012/07/sncf-enters-london-with-new-coach-service/

Actual company website:

http://www.idbus.co.uk/

 

[Drsatan]

Curiously enough, they sometimes do in America though. You'll see regular service buses with bike racks on the front. I'm not sure I'd feel safe putting a
Bike there.
And Wilts & Dorset do with the New Forest Tour, I believe.

Most Postbuses (buses painted yellow) in Switzerland have a bike rack affixed to the back of the bus, although I have no idea whether you are solely responsible for mounting your bike in it or whether the driver will help you!

 

[fgwrich]

Interesting, and at least their using Setras (which i find are rather deccent and comfortable) - The interiors don't look too bad either!

http://www.businesstravel.fr/201207...s/decouvrez-les-bus-de-la-sncf-en-images.html

 

[ivanhoe]

Another nail in the coffin for SNCF Classic lines.