The Salzinnes & Belgian rapide Tour

It has often drawn comment that STARS cover very few European rail festivals and Open Days.
Unfortunately that is true, but in no way are we turning our backs on them. The problem lies in that we have to tie up arrangements for the tours sometimes well over a year before they run. It is then galling to discover an event taking place on date(s) when we are committed elsewhere or the notice is so short that there is insufficient time to organise and advertise a trip.
However, we are pleased to offer a tour that has on this occasion fallen neatly into place and allowed us the time to plan all aspects ensuring comfortable travel throughout, offering a full and interesting itinerary. We have also devised a new fare structure that is proportional to the number of bookings received. This flexible scheme is fully explained further on page 4 of this leaflet. We had tried dispensing with Coach hire in the UK and, together with the costs of crossing the Channel, hoped to reduce the costs of a tour considerably. However, that did not go down well with many, citing too much ‘hassle’ at Airports and by rail! As a result we are reverting to use of a UK operator from start to finish. One element remaining is that there will be no more overnight coach travel. We are no longer nocturnal!
The last Open event at their Salzinnes and Mechelen workshops was on 22nd and 23rd October 2011. They do not happen that often in Belgium and certainly not events to miss when they appear. The downside is that they have restricted the event to one day ruling out the possibility of covering both Works. We have opted to visit Salzinnes because they are responsible for the overhaul of locomotives and DMUs whereas Mechelen deals with just EMUs and Coaching stock.

Introducing STARS Proportionate Fares

Over the last two years STARS have experienced somewhat of a dilemma in running our popular Coach tours. We have struggled mainly with the ever increasing costs of coach hire, channel crossings, and hotel charges, as well as many of our members feeling that they are no longer able to match the physical effort required for some tours. We have taken steps to address the problems such as eliminating overnight travel and use of Minibuses, along with starting tours abroad and sourcing local Coaches. None of these measures led to any significant change in fortune, quite the contrary! The concept of starting abroad was met with much criticism and did not go down at all well. One element that remains high is the quality of the tours we offer and members still book for them but, unfortunately, not in the numbers to make them viable and cancellation surely follows. This leads to disappointment on the part of those booked and general apathy. Every year we have to cost out the tours carefully setting a break-even that covers the costs yet does not exceed the average pocket. Clearly we are now in a vicious circle where several elements are acting against us. It is now clear that we must change the way the tours are offered and presented. This tour represents an ideal opportunity to make the change.
When we learnt of the Belgian Open Days back in April, all members were circulated and invited to show interest. When 16 members so did, we considered that was a sufficient number to justify planning the tour, the results of which you now see.
Now the fare. The calculation begins with the 16 members who expressed their interest, giving a starting base fare of £510. Of course some of those might not confirm with a booking, but we must start somewhere. However, we are now offering this tour to all members and, the more who book, the less
everyone will pay. The next landmark comes after 3 more bookings, bringing the total to 19, when the base will reduce to £444. Another 3 (to 22) will bring it to £397. If we can reach 25 (9 more than where we started) we come down to £361. Excellent value for two nights in good Hotels and all transport costs.
Although this example reduces in blocks of 3, the recalculation will be made on the actual numbers booked at any one time. However, please do not be someone who adopts the “wait & see” culture. If you, or any others, delay your bookings it will be to the detriment of everyone, not least yourself. To administer the scheme properly we must strictly enforce the cut-off date which will cause some to miss out and those booked paying more than they need to. You cannot lose. All monies we receive for fares are ring-fenced for that purpose and, if the tour does not take place, all can be immediately refunded. This initiative will inevitably lead to more transparency in this area of our operation and that is no bad thing. Taking this tour as a ‘model’ for the future we can demonstrate exactly where the tour break-evens lie and the considerable fare reductions possible. Whereas in the past the decision to run or cancel has been taken by ‘The Office’, it is now to a degree in the hands of members. If sufficient are prepared to pay at a particular level, assuming the break-even is passed, the tour runs. It is a scheme intended to benefit everyone and to make sure the tours run, and we hope all members will embrace it. We would welcome any constructive comments and suggestions you may have on these changes. Please email either Adrian or Anita. We now invite all members, including those who have already expressed interest, to submit a Booking Form and £50 deposit now. It is important that you show your commitment without delay. The cut-off date for acceptance of bookings will be Friday 10th August when the final level of fare will be calculated. Until then we will trial sending out weekly email or postal updates advising everyone booked on the tour of the numbers and reduction achieved.