a Study by Thomas Manthei – TMRail All rights reserved by the author. first publication 2004 © 2004, 2021 TMRail - Thomas Manthei CH 6333 Hünenberg (ZG) Switzerland https://tmrail.jimdosite.com CONTENTS 1. Foreword to the updated edition 2021 ......................................................................... 4 2. Foreword (2004 Version) ................................................................................................. 4 3. Author and Publishers (Updated version 2021) ....................................................... 6 The Publisher ................................................................................................................................................. 6 The Author ...................................................................................................................................................... 6 1. Management Summary (2004 version) ....................................................................... 7 Abstract: ........................................................................................................................................................... 7 Results: ............................................................................................................................................................ 7 2. Topics and Methods .........................................................................................................10 Definition (2004 version) ............................................................................................................................ 10 Topics .............................................................................................................................................................. 10 International Benchmark ............................................................................................................................ 10 Purpose of this study .................................................................................................................................. 10 Methods ...........................................................................................................................................................11 3. History of night train services in Europe .................................................................... 12 4. Characteristics of Night Train Services (2004) ....................................................... 14 5. Demand and requirements ............................................................................................ 16 Target groups ................................................................................................................................................ 16 Business travellers ...................................................................................................................................... 16 The private traveller .................................................................................................................................... 19 Holiday travelers ......................................................................................................................................... 20 Group business ........................................................................................................................................... 20 Travel reasons and needs........................................................................................................................ 20 6. Schedule offer .................................................................................................................... 21 7. Rolling Stock ..................................................................................................................... 23 Sleeping Cars ............................................................................................................................................... 23 Couchette Cars ............................................................................................................................................ 26 Sleeperettes ................................................................................................................................................. 27 Standard passenger cars ......................................................................................................................... 28 Catering, Dining Cars, Lounges ............................................................................................................. 30 8. Services provided by operating companies .............................................................. 31 Pre-Trip Services ......................................................................................................................................... 31 On-Board Services and their customer requirements ...................................................................... 31 Post-Trip ........................................................................................................................................................ 33 9. Operating Companies and their offer......................................................................... 34 Finland (VR) ................................................................................................................................................. 34 Sweden (SJ AB / Connex Sverige AB) ................................................................................................ 35 Norway (NSB) .............................................................................................................................................. 36 Germany & Central Europe (DB Nachtzug and CNL AG) ............................................................ 37 France (SNCF) ............................................................................................................................................40 Switzerland (SBB) ....................................................................................................................................... 41 Austria (ÖBB) ............................................................................................................................................... 42 Poland (PKP) ................................................................................................................................................ 43 Czech Republic (CD) ................................................................................................................................ 44 Hungary (MAV) ........................................................................................................................................... 44 Croatia (HZ) .................................................................................................................................................. 45 Greece (OSE) .............................................................................................................................................. 45 Romania (CFR) ........................................................................................................................................... 45 Italy (FS Trenitalia, ARTESIA) ................................................................................................................ 46 Spain (RENFE, Elipsos) / Portugal (CP) ............................................................................................. 47 United Kingdom (First Group) ................................................................................................................ 48 Netherlands (Euro Express) Belgium (Bergland Express) Danmark (DSB) ............................. 49 Page 2 – The European Night Train ©TMRail Thomas Manthei 2004, 2021 10. Distribution ......................................................................................................................... 50 marketing and advertising ........................................................................................................................ 50 Marketing and the Internet ....................................................................................................................... 52 The Internet presentation of night train operators (as of March 2004)....................................... 53 Distribution and addressing of target groups ..................................................................................... 55 Tariffs and rate schemes .......................................................................................................................... 55 Standard fare / comparison of trip cost for business travellers .................................................... 56 Special fares ................................................................................................................................................. 58 Utilization ratio and demand management ......................................................................................... 59 11. Night trains and their competitors ............................................................................... 60 Internal competition .................................................................................................................................... 60 External competition .................................................................................................................................. 62 12. operations and profitability ...........................................................................................