In a first for the rail sector, Chiltern Railways will launch a new premium economy product for the Birmingham to London business traveller on Monday 5th September as part of its new Mainline service.
Modelled on similar products in the aviation world, the Business Zone has been designed following extensive value-based discussions with the business community.
The new Business Zone has been created to fill a much needed niche, providing all the valued business benefits of first class, but excluding the non-essentials at a fraction of the cost of first class.
Passengers using the Business Zone will enjoy a private carriage of just 30 seats with large tables, wide seats, ample legroom, an ‘always-on’ WiFi connection and plug sockets at every seat.
Reserved seating will be available at point of purchase, however unlike first class where an entirely separate ticket is required, passengers simply pay a £20 supplement on top of their standard class ticket.
The pricing structure allows complete flexibility, with passengers able to upgrade for both legs of the journey or just one way.
The Business Zone beats first class from other providers when it comes to seating. Legroom is 520mm in the Business Zone, more than any first class train service between Birmingham and London.
The seats are 530mm wide – also wider than any first class train service between Birmingham and London.
Concerns of Finance Directors over payment for non-essentials are addressed by the Business Zone as food and drink will not be included as part of the offer.
Instead a dedicated train host will attend to passengers and will take at-seat orders serving refreshments from the onboard Expresso Bar.
Thomas Ableman, Chiltern Railways’ Marketing Director, said:
“Businesses told us that space to work and a decent internet connection were absolutely essential.
“They also told us that additional privacy at key times for increased productivity was valuable.
“What they didn’t value was paying over £100 extra for a sandwich, pretzels and a single glass of wine.
“We believe the premium economy service in the Business Zone creates a new class of travel that could signal the end of first class business travel across the industry.”
