HEATHROW Express is to offer packages for tour operators and travel agents as part of a plan to attract new passengers to the rail service.
Chairman Alun Thomas said most of the 100,000 passengers using the service each week buy their tickets on the train. “Our earlier effort was aimed at filling the train with frequent travellers. Now we are seeing where we need new traffic,” he added. Thomas denied plans to focus on the trade was a new strategy.
“Working with the trade is the next stage in our evolution,” he said. “We have a dedicated leisure sales manager and we are on the Elgar and Atop reservation systems.”
A one-way ticket bought on the train costs £12, or there is a Frequent Flyer 10 for the price of eight booklet which works out at £9.60 one-way.
Thomas said the fare would not be cheaper through agents, but would be bundled with other services to add value for clients. Talking to Travel Weekly editor Jeremy Skidmore, Thomas said he wanted to introduce a baggage service for in-bound travellers to Heathrow to complement the check-in at Paddington for outbound passengers.
The aim is to take luggage before customs and deliver it to the passengers’ London hotel.