PRESS KIT - U.K. - DECEMBER PRESS KIT

Transcription

1 1 PRESS KIT PRESS KIT - U.K. - DECEMBER 2013

2 SUMMARY P.4 SNCF PRESENTS idbus P.6 idbus ROUTES P.8 THE UNIQUE idbus EXPERIENCE 2 PRESS KIT

3 SNCF, EUROPEAN LEADER IN ECOMOBILITY, REINVENTS COACH TRAVEL. idbus IS A UNIQUE, EASY AND COMFY WAY TO TRAVEL, WHICH RESPONDS TO EUROPEANS CHANGING NEED FOR MOBILITY. BARBARA DALIBARD, GENERAL DIRECTOR OF SNCF VOYAGES There is still a strong demand for public transport, and SNCF wants to respond to this by putting new activities in place, complementary to trains. By creating idbus, through its subsidiary SNCF-C6, SNCF is reinventing international coach travel and offering a quality, comfortable, ecological and safe option. idbus is a way of travelling that is unique compared to any other long distance buses, and is able to respond to the mobility needs of Europeans. MARIA HARTI, GENERAL DIRECTOR OF idbus. To build this new offer, we are basing it on numerous client studies carried out amongst Europeans. The customers want comfort, flexibility and accessible prices. This innovative offer responds to their mobility needs and therefore brings them closer to their friends and families. 3 PRESS KIT

4 SNCF PRESENTS idbus AS A LEADER IN INNOVATION AND ECO-MOBILITY IN EUROPE, SNCF DECIDED TO LAUNCH A NEW LONG DISTANCE COACH SERVICE FOR INTERNATIONAL LINES: Since July 2012 idbus is offering premium long distance coach travel in order to meet the mobility needs of young people and families in Europe. idbus offers journeys from London to Paris and Lille. It also offers journeys to Brussels and Amsterdam and, in Southern Europe, to Lyon, Milan, Turin, Genoa, Nice, Aix-en-Provence, Marseille and Barcelona. The idbus fleet is made up of Setra and Irisbus vehicles. 4 PRESS KIT

5 AN ANSWER TO THE NEEDS OF EUROPEAN TRAVELLERS idbus is a service for people who want a safe and affordable mode of transport and who wish to travel without compromising comfort. On the routes served by idbus, the car has a 50% market share. SNCF is breaking ground in organising the mode of collective transport that is most adapted to these travellers. idbus services are designed to tempt the private motorists out of their cars and to make the coach a positive travel decision, as it provides a real and credible alternative to driving and carpooling. In researching the offer, SNCF questioned potential travellers over several months and identified two major expectations: a simple fare structure facilitating short notice travel travelling safely and comfortably to visit family and friends BALANCED idbus aims to address 3 challenges: to meet travellers budgets without compromising their service experience to offer useful services while being profitable to offer an alternative to the car, whilst respecting the environment A RESPONSE TO ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES: idbus, a new alternative to cars, also responds to a strong social issue: to improve preservation of the environment. On average, a car transports around 1.8 passengers per vehicle on long distance journeys (over 100 kilometres). A 48-seater bus with a 75% load factor therefore replaces 20 cars. In order to optimise their ecological bonus even more, all vehicles are Euro V standard of emissions and the drivers are trained to drive economically. 5 PRESS KIT

6 idbus ROUTES THE idbus NETWORK CONNECTS PARIS AND LILLE TO LONDON, BRUSSELS AND AMSTERDAM; AS WELL AS PARIS AND LYON TO TURIN AND MILAN. SERVICES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FROM MARSEILLE, AIX-EN-PROVENCE AND NICE TO GENOA AND MILAN, AND FROM LYON TO BARCELONA. FROM LONDON, idbus OFFERS DIRECT ROUTES TO PARIS AND LILLE. FOR PARIS, PASSENGERS CAN CHOOSE BETWEEN 2 OPTIONS: PARIS CITY CENTRE (PARIS BERCY STATION) AND PARIS CDG AIRPORT (PARIS CDG STATION). idbus, A NETWORK THAT MAKES ITS WAY ACROSS EUROPE CONVENIENT SCHEDULES idbus aims to offer frequent services to make all journeys simple, easy and accessible. All scheduled times were selected to provide passengers with maximum convenience, with overnight journeys which enable travellers to make the most of their time, saving the cost of a night in a hotel. From London, idbus provides: At least 7 daily services to Paris* including 6 to Paris Bercy centre and 1 to Paris CDG airport 4 daily services to Lille idbus also offers: Services to Brussels and Amsterdam in Lille or Paris Services to Turin, Milan and Barcelona in Lyon Detailed schedules are availaible on * Standard service. Increased frequency during peak times. 6 PRESS KIT

7 ACCESSIBLE STOPS For further convenience, the idbus stations are situated centrally or in the inner suburbs, close to metro stations or highway exits. The locations were chosen for passengers safety and ease of use, with quick access to other means of transport and in the presence of shops and restaurants. THE idbus LOCATIONS ARE AS FOLLOWS: London: Victoria Coach Station Paris: Paris-Bercy station or Paris CDG airport Lille: Lille-Europe station Lyon: Lyon-Perrache station Brussels: Brussels-Midi station Amsterdam: Amsterdam Sloterdijk Turin: Torino coach station Milan: Milano coach station (Lampugnano) Genoa: Metro Principe (via Fanti d Italia) Marseille: Marseille-Saint-Charles coach station Aix-en-Provence: Aix-en-Provence Centre station Nice: Nice-Côte-d Azur Airport (Terminal 1) Barcelona: Barcelona Nord coach station 7 PRESS KIT

8 THE UNIQUE idbus EXPERIENCE 97% customer satisfaction* MORE COMFORT R. Guillou E.Bernard idbus is unlike any other current long distance coach service, largely because of the comfort it offers. The idbus service prioritises comfort, convenience, value and quality service, offering the following advantages for the consumer: 4 stars buses with 48 seats A wide and comfortable seat quality: o Adjustable reading table and foot rest o Reclining seat back o Distance between the laterally reclining seats: the gap between the seats is adjustable up to 84cm o Air-conditioning vent and individual lights o 3 point seatbelt, comparable to those used in cars idbus are all equipped with free Wi-Fi and 220V-100W electricity sockets Real-time information system, with two 19-inch television screens showing the current location of the bus, as well as distances and times between stops and the destination. Sheltered and heated waiting areas with shops nearby - in London, Paris and Lille Possibility to choose your seat upon reservation Opportunity to take a second piece of luggage, guaranteed ( 5 for the second piece of luggage) In addition, idbus is the first fleet to be fully equipped to meet the needs of customers with reduced mobility. * Based on a survey of 1,450 idbus passengers in August PRESS KIT

9 MORE ATTENTION RELIABLE CAPTAINS idbus Captains are experienced drivers that speak English and are in charge of accompanying customers throughout the entire journey, ensuring that passengers are at the centre of attention. Captains are chosen based on their road experience and their quality of service skills. Information is given in both French and English throughout the journey. The Captains welcome the passengers and check their documentation to ensure a smooth passage through national border controls. They are in permanent contact with the control centre which can assist them at any time. STOPOVER TEAMS TO EASE BOARDING FOR ALL At London, Paris, Lille, Lyon and Brussels, stopover teams will help passengers to board, especially those with reduced mobility, and answer any question they might have. The idbus buses are very accessible for clientele with reduced mobility, and wheelchair users can reserve a place up until 48 hours before the journey. All the buses have wheelchair access and passengers with reduced mobility can benefit from personal accompaniment throughout the journey by contacting the client contact centre at least 48 hours before beginning their journey. MORE CONNECTIONS idbus is a collaborative brand which connects with its customers: Via the customer contact centre: by phone on (Monday to Saturday from 7:30 am 7:00 pm; 0.05/min. plus network extras), on the website contact page, by or using the «click-to-chat» service (a live-messaging service for speaking with an advisor. Available during office hours). A newsletter Via social media: A Facebook Page where fans can talk, share information and join a community: www. facebook.com/idbus A Twitter account to And also on Instagram - Google+ - Foursquare - LinkedIn 9 PRESS KIT

10 MORE INFORMATION BOOKING idbus offers a multilingual website (French, English, Dutch, Italian), for information on idbus and travel, which also acts as a platform for passengers to track their reservations. During reservation, travellers can choose their seat: near the window, aisle, at the front or at the back of the bus. Travellers can buy their ticket up to 15 minutes before departure, using cash or card, at ticket offices in the main idbus stations: London, Paris, Lille, Lyon, Turin, Milan and Brussels. Two days before their trip, passengers receive a personalized containing their travel details, a map of where the station is located, timetables and the bus route. For more information, passengers can call the bilingual (French/English) contact centre (Monday to Saturday from 7:30 am 7:00 pm; /min. plus network extras) who can assist with any queries and ensure that the passengers journey runs smoothly. THE JOURNEY A special welcome is given upon departure and arrival. The captains verify the validity of each passenger s ticket and his or her identification. Before each trip, a film welcomes the passengers and they will be guided through an on-board safety routine. Passengers are able to follow their route in real time on screens. After the trip, an online form is available for passengers to share their experience and assist idbus in making any improvements. They can also contact the call centre following their journey. 10 PRESS KIT

11 SAFETY IS AN SNCF PRIORITY idbus latest generation fleet has all the necessary security equipment to meet the criteria required by law as well as equipment that goes further than the requirements, in order to ensure passengers have a safe and relaxing journey. All idbus buses are equipped with an alert which is activated if the coach veers off from the centre of the road, as well as a distance regulator. There is a door camera to monitor passengers getting on and off, as well as a rear camera and parking sensor. The 3-point seatbelts are comparable to those used in cars. In order to make routes reliable, there are central based staff who warn captains 24/7 about any incidents or problems with traffic, enabling them to choose the best routes. idbus are equipped with a GPS geo-positioning system which enables passengers to know where the bus is at all times, and enables the driver to know the current state of the roads and traffic. An ignition interlock device is installed in all idbus and is used by drivers before every journey. All idbus drivers are chosen after a thorough exam to test their road skills. Captains are intensively trained by idbus and benefit from personalised training on their driving. 11 PRESS KIT

12 PRICES: A SIMPLE FARES STRUCTURE idbus: GREAT PRICES EVEN AT THE LAST MINUTE The idbus prices are announced in advance and remain the same from the opening of the sales to the date of the departure. Therefore the price is only dependent on the date of travel and not when the booking has been made. idbus is a clever way to travel and stay within budget: at least one coach is offered at the Mini Price on each route every day. Number of tickets booked Number of tickets payed With idbus, the client has the opportunity to reduce prices. idbus offers a Group Deal for group bookings, where passengers can purchase 3 tickets and get their fourth ticket free. An ideal deal for families or friends travelling together. idbus offers specials promotions throughout the year, for instance for the launch of a new route or for a specific event. Once the promotion is announced, the prices will not change; this is idbus commitment. To find good deals, passengers can subscribe to a newsletter. PRICES OFFERED ON THE MAIN ROUTES: Mini Price* Mini Price with Group Deal tariff** LONDON-PARIS LONDON-LILLE * At least one coach is offered at the Mini Price on each route every day. The prices are valid for journeys until 27/04/14. ** Estimated cost per person, calculated for 4 tickets book and rounded up to the upper unity. 12 PRESS KIT

13 idbus, SO MUCH BETTER THAN GOING BY CAR A TRIP FOR A HEN PARTY IN PARIS A group of 8 friends wants to host the hen party of their friend Emily in Paris. They want to go for 2 days and 2 nights, and the journey would require 2 cars. The total cost for such a trip in a car from London, including 2 days of parking, would be 851 i.e. 106 per person. With idbus, the girls can get 8 tickets for the price of 6, which represent 6 x 66 = 396 ( 49.5 per person) for the return trip. That is a saving of 57 per person, a little extra to party in Paris! Furthermore, they can travel together and chat or rest after their busy weekend. TOM AND RICHARD GO TO A CONCERT IN LILLE Best friends for 20 years, two young retirees from the London suburbs, Tom and Richard, have got tickets for their favourite musician s concert in Lille. An opportunity that they never thought would come their way One week before their trip they are still undecided about whether to take the bus or the car. If they took Richard s car, the price would be 367, however it would be 96 with idbus. They will be able to enjoy their musical escapade without a care in the world. And if the night is a late one then they avoid the risks associated with driving when tired. A LONG WEEKEND IN AMSTERDAM FOR NATHALIE AND CHRISTOPHE MARTIN AND THEIR TWO CHILDREN The Martin family from Lille wants to spend a long weekend in Amsterdam to visit their oldest daughter, who is a student in the city. The cost of the trip in a car, including 3 days of parking, is 374. With idbus the price is 128, i.e. 3 for the price of four with the Group Deal. It is also a good way to give the family car, which is 5 years old, a rest and furthermore allows Nathalie and Christophe to have a rest themselves while the twins play on the games console together N.B.: Car trip prices calculated using petrol price, road tolls, city center parking and running costs (insurance, vehicle depreciation, maintenance etc). idbus prices are evaluated based on the Mini Prices. 13 PRESS KIT

14 EXTENSIVE DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS idbus tickets are available: On the website: At idbus stations: In London, idbus tickets can be purchased at Victoria Coach Station and at Greenline, 4A Fountain Square Buckingham Palace Road. Via the telephone contact centre: (5 p/min. plus network extras) from Monday to Saturday from 7:30 am 7:00 pm One hour before departure at Victoria Coach Station counters in London TERMS OF SALE Tickets are non-refundable but can be modified at a cost of 5 online and 10 via the telephone contact centre, up to 30 minutes before departure. If the traveller opts for a lower price, then the difference will be refunded with a voucher. Changing the name of a passenger is free. 14 PRESS KIT

15 PRESS CONTACTS ABOUT SNCF GROUP Present in 120 countries, SNCF is a world leader in mobility and logistics. Its total workforce of 250,000 generated revenue of 33.8 billion in 2012, with over 1/5 of sales from markets outside France. A public sector group dedicated to public service, SNCF builds on its foundations in rail to offer a broad range of services, delivering seamless door-to-door mobility for transport and logistics operators, passengers and the regional and local governments that are its organizing authorities. SNCF Group targets cross-border and international markets, and has five divisions: SNCF Infra manages, operates, maintains and develops rail and related infrastructure; SNCF Proximités operates local, urban and regional passenger services; SNCF Voyages operates long-distance passenger services and distribution; SNCF Geodis provides freight and logistics services; and Gares & Connexions manages and develops train stations. FOR idbus: COHN & WOLFE Sarah Jackson (+44) sarah.jackson@cohnwolfe.com Shelley George (+44) shelley.george@cohnwolfe.com 15 PRESS KIT