Other Developments in Transport

L.O: to understand how transport developments in modes other than

than the airline industry have impacted on the travel and tourism industry

We have looked at how developments in the airline industry have impacted on

the travel and tourism industry, but there are other major types of transport which tourists use which have improved

over time.

The Rail Industry

Rail travel is popular in the UK. Since 1996 it has been privatised (owned by private

companies, not the government). This has meant that money has been pumped in to

this form of transport to compete with other forms of transport, such as hiring

cars, going on domestic flights or taking an own car tour.

Train companies

There are 31 train operating companies in the UK at present (a full list can be found here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_companies_operating_trains_in_the_United_Kingdom

)

Most of them operate regional or local routes such as Merseyrail, but some operate trunk routes (a major route such as London to Edinburgh). These include

companies such as Virgin Trains.

Example features of trains that benefit tourists

• Virgin trains introduced Pendolino (tilting) trains which allow travel at much greater speeds (140 mph). These trains tend to operate on long distance routes (e.g. London to Scotland). These trains also provide their passengers with an audio system, power points for laptops, wifi, on board shops selling food and drink, a quiet carriage etc to make travelling more enjoyable.

•First Scotrail operate sleeper trains between London and Scotland, where you can have a bed during your

journey.

•Transpennine Express will carry bicycles for free.

•Heathrow Express has large baggage storage areas, and they have onboard TVs.

•Many train companies have a range of fares to suit every customer, such as advance purchase tickets,

first-class carriages, off-peak tickets, disabled persons fares, and discounts for senior citizens or

students.

The Channel Tunnel• Since the Channel Tunnel was opened in 1994

tourists have been able to travel by Eurostar between England and France.

• The 307 mile journey

from London Waterloo to

Paris takes only 2 hours

and 15 minutes, as it can

travel at speeds of up to

186 mph.

The Euro Tunnel

• Tourists can also choose to travel through the channel tunnel with their coaches or cars on the trains run by EuroTunnel.

Sea Travel

As an island, sea travel is an important part of

the UK’s travel and tourism industry.

However because of the growth of budget

airlines and the building of the

Channel Tunnel it is becoming a less

popular form of travel.

Statistics

• In 2004 there were 25.8 million international sea journeys to, or from the UK.

• There were 3.6 million domestic sea journeys within the UK (e.g. to/from the Channel Islands and Northern Ireland).

• For more up to date statistics visit http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/statistics/datatablespublications/maritime/passengers/spbulletin/seapassenger2008

Sea Travel Companies• There are different types of sea travel companies

who compete on price, speed and facilities.• In 1962 there was an improvement of travel times

with the introduction of the Hovercraft.• Since Hovercraft

there have been

other improvements

in speed, such as

ferries that use

hydrofoils and other

high-speed craft.

Car Ferries• Most sea routes from and

within the UK are operated by car ferries, where passengers drive on to the ferry and park during the crossing.

• The biggest ferry in the world is found on the Irish Sea Route, and belongs to ‘Irish Ferries’, called Ulysses. It has nearly 3 miles of parking space for 1,342 cars and there is enough room for 2,000 passengers.

On your poster you must include -

Title: Other developments in transport

Information on the following:

• rail transport (impacts of privatisation, Channel Tunnel);

• sea transport (car ferries, hovercraft, high-speed ferries)