South African Travel Products and Operations.

Learning Unit 4: Inter-City Coach and Rail TravelSession to complete module: 13-19Current session: 15-16Date: 02/04/2013

Objectives

• Understand the terminology used in rail and coach services.

• Identify rail and coach services available in South Africa and successfully read rail timetables.

• Quote the correct fare for a rail journey.

2) Luxury Trains

• SA has 2 luxury trains :– Spoornet offers the famous Blue Train– Rovos Rail owns The Pride of Africa

2.1) The Blue Train

2.1) The Blue Train • The Blue Train has an aura of mystique about it. • Kings and presidents have travelled on this

magnificent moving five-star hotel. • Its very name has become synonymous with the

ultimate in luxury and personal service. • For over half a century, The Blue Train has

enjoyed an international reputation as one of the world’s paramount travelling experiences.

• At the World Travel Awards, it was voted as the world’s leading luxury train by some 250 000 travel agents in 181 countries.

2.1) The Blue Train

• The routes of The Blue Train - both scheduled and chartered - take guests through some of the most breath-taking countryside to be found anywhere in the world.

• As the ever-changing scenery flashes past the windows, guests can savour exquisite meals freshly prepared on board by top chefs.

2.1) The Blue Train

• The meals are complimented by the best wines South Africa has to offer.

• The suites on The Blue Train live up to its reputation for magnificence and splendour. The finest bed linen, marble tiles and gold fittings in the bathrooms and sheer opulence all ensure that guests will never forget the time they spend on The Blue Train.

2.1.1) Scheduled Routes

• The route between Pretoria and Cape Town is a 27-hour journey of 1 600km, through some of the most diverse and spectacular scenery offered by the African sub-continent.

• On both the southbound and northbound trips, the train departs at 8:50 and arrives at approximately 12:00 – 13:00 the following day. Guests must be at the station an hour before the departure time.

2.1.1) Scheduled Routes

• En route to Cape Town there is a stopover and excursion in Kimberley. This includes a tour of The Big Hole and the Kimberley Diamond Mine Museum.

• En route to Pretoria, the train stops at Kleinstraat and guests are transported to Aquila Private Game Reserve for a game drive and lunch.

2.1.2) Charter • The Blue Train can be hired for business or pleasure.

They offer a range of events, including:

– Product launches; – VIP breakfasts, lunches or dinner parties; – Business meetings; – Small conferences; – Wedding receptions and more. – The Blue Train also arranges charters with a difference,

like golfing or safari adventures. The destination depends only on the compatibility of the rail network with The Blue Train's technology.

2.1.3) Reservations and Commissions • Travel agents can make Blue Train Reservations on

behalf of their clients. • They may book by telephone or on The Blue Train

website, www.bluetrain.co.za • Travel agents can apply to become accredited Blue

Train agents, with payment terms and commission agreements.

• The Blue Train offers travel agents’ commissions of between 10% and 30%, depending on the volume of business generated.

• Payment can be made by means of cash; electronic funds transfer (EFT) or credit card.

• The Blue Train issues all documentation and hands it to the client when they arrive to board the train.

2.1.4) Rates

• A maximum of two (2) guests may share a suite. • Rates are per person, inclusive of all meals, high tea, drinks

(alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and off-the-train excursions. • Rates exclude French champagne, caviar and external telephone

calls. • Rates quoted are for a one-way journey and are subject to change

without prior notification. • Arrival times and off-the-train excursions cannot be guaranteed. • Reservations for children will be done on request only and cannot

be guaranteed. • Special requests for meals (e.g. Kosher and Halaal) must be

specified at time of reservation. • Bed preference (double or single) must be specified

2.2) Rovos Rail – The Pride of Africa (GSA; page 172)

Rovos Rail – The Pride of Africa (GSA; page 172)

• Since its establishment in 1989, Rovos Rail has earned an international reputation for its truly world-class travel experiences.

• Rovos Rail’s marketing slogan is “The Most Luxurious Train in the World” and operates two classic 20-coach (72 berth trains) as well as a third 13-coach (42-berth Edwardian train) which is available year round for charter.

Rovos Rail – The Pride of Africa (GSA; page 172)

• The coaches are wood-panelled and have been refurbished to mint condition.

• The cuisine is five-star luxury. • The trains may be hauled by steam, diesel or

electric locomotives at various stages of the journey.

• Rovos Rail carries a maximum of 72 passengers in 36 superbly appointed suites.

• Mr Rohan Vos bought the trains in 1986 and refurbished them.

• He named them after his family and they were launched to the public in 1989.

Rovos Rail – The Pride of Africa (GSA; page 172)

• Exquisite pillared dining cars are a signature of the Rovos Rail trains. Each of the trains has two 42-seater dining cars to accommodate the maximum complement of 72 passengers in total comfort at one sitting.

• Each train has a non-smoking Observation Car at the rear of the train, while the coach next to it contains a small smoking lounge.

• A unique feature of the Observation Cars which seat 32 people is the enlarged windows and open-air balconies.

• At the centre of the train there is a non-smoking Lounge Car with Gift Shop.

• This lounge seats 26 passengers in comfort. In maintaining the spirit of travel of a bygone era, there are no radios or television sets on-board.

Rovos Rail – The Pride of Africa (GSA; page 172)

• ACCOMMODATION - The rebuilt sleeper coaches contain the most spacious train suites in the world, offering every modern convenience and comfort.

• Decorated in an Edwardian era, the features include air-conditioned suites which accommodate two people and offer the option of twin or spacious double beds.

Rovos Rail – The Pride of Africa (GSA; page 172)

• All suites are equipped with a writing surface and, for valuables, a personal safe. There is also a bar fridge filled with beverages of the passengers’ choice and room service is available 24 hours a day.

• In the en suite bathrooms original fittings combine with the modern technology of hot showers, hair dryers and shaver plugs.

Rovos Rail – The Pride of Africa (GSA; page 172)

• The Royal Suites- each of which takes up half a carriage, are spacious and elegant, and each has its own private lounge area and full bathroom with Victorian bath and separate shower.

Rovos Rail – The Pride of Africa (GSA; page 172)

• The Deluxe Suites also accommodate two passengers in either twin or double beds and have a lounge area and en-suite bathroom with shower.

Rovos Rail – The Pride of Africa (GSA; page 172)

• The Pullman Suite has an identical bathroom to that of the deluxe suites. The bedroom, however, is smaller - with a one (1) up, one (1) down bunk for twin requirements or a double bed for couples.

2.2.1) Food and Beverage on The Pride of Africa

• A team of chefs is responsible for overseeing the very important task of ensuring that guests’ every need is catered for, while considerable thought and meticulous planning goes into making up the menus.

• Unlike many of the great trains of the world, travellers are on board the trains for several days at a time, requiring a much wider selection of meals.

• There is an accent on fresh local ingredients, and traditional dishes such as game are a specialty.

• Every morning there is a full breakfast with dishes cooked to order. A selection of cold meats, croissants, pastries, fresh fruit, yoghurts, cereals and preserves make up a tempting breakfast buffet.

2.2.1) Food and Beverage on The Pride of Africa

• For lunch and dinner there is a starter and a choice of fish, meat or vegetarian dishes, followed by a tempting dessert and complemented by a selection of excellent South African wines

• All meals are served in one (1) sitting only in the charming Victorian atmosphere of the Dining Cars.

• Many of the passengers aboard the Pride of Africa enjoy the formality of fine china, crisp linen and silver, and dress accordingly. During the day dress is more casual, with cool, comfortable clothes and hats recommended for the excursions, especially in the game reserves where it can be very hot.

2.2.2) Scheduled Routes – Pride of Africa

• Between Cape Town and Pretoria – Northbound N1; • Between Pretoria and Cape Town – Southbound S3; • Between Pretoria and Victoria Falls - Northbound N3; • Between Victoria Falls and Pretoria - Southbound S1; • Between Pretoria and Durban – Eastbound E1; • Between Durban and Pretoria – Westbound W1.

2.2.3) Annual Trips Pride of Africa

• These journeys are only undertaken two (2) to three (3) times per year. For more information, see the GSA, page 172.

2.2.4) Rates Pride of Africa • Prices are quoted in South African Rand and are

per person sharing. • The single supplement is 50% on regular

journeys and varied for annual journeys. • Children rates are on request and cannot be

guaranteed. • Off train excursions cannot be guaranteed and

will be undertaken only if time permits. • Departure and arrival times are approximate and

cannot be guaranteed, due to weather conditions, track conditions and any other unforeseen circumstances

2.2.5) Payment and Documentation Pride of Africa

• Travel agents may book by telephone or email. • They will receive a confirmation number which they

will then give to their passenger (in an itinerary or on a voucher).

• Rovos Rail issues all documentation and places an information pack in the guests’ room.

• Payment can be made by means of EFT and, only in exceptional circumstances, by credit card.

• Rovos Rail generally does not accept credit cards due to the high costs of those transactions.

• Commission is paid at a rate of between 10% and 20%, depending on the volume that the travel agency generates in a calendar year.