Tourism Sectors:Train Industry Part 1 Flashcards
Difference between Commuter and tourist trains
COMMUTER TRAINS
• Commuter trains transport passengers from where they live to where they work
• Metrorail operates commuter trains in the metropolitan areas of South Africa. These trains travel within cities or regions and not between them, connecting commuters to a central city from adjacent suburbs or commuter towns.
• Metrorail is a division of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), a state-owned enterprise which is responsible for most passenger rail services in South Africa.
• There are also Business Express trains on certain routes. These trains have fewer stops on their routes, are more comfortable than the normal Metrorail trains and offer additional services on board such as complimentary newspaper and refreshments.
• Commuter trains are not widely used by international tourists because of safety risks, routes, and unreliability.
• Domestic tourists can make use of commuter trains when they are at their destination to travel to certain areas to visit attractions.
TOURIST TRAINS
• Long distance tourist trains, such as Shosholoza Meyl, are called mainline passenger trains or intercity trains because they travel on the main train lines between cities.
• These trains are often used by domestic tourists who do not have their own cars and travel to see family and friends. Economy class is an affordable option.
• International tourists make use of train transport as ‘transport as tourism’ because the tourist class option provides the mode of transport as well as the accommodation and meals. It also provides an opportunity for tourists to sit back and enjoy the scenery through which the train travels.
• Some tourist trains have sleeper coaches with benches on which passengers can sit during the day. These benches can fold into sleeping bunks at night.
• Sleeper coaches have showers and toilets that passengers can share.
Source: Grade 11 Tourism - Remote Learning Material
Terminology
- Commuter A person who travels some distance to work on a regular basis.
- Schedule A list of railway journeys arranged according to the time when they begin and end.
- Dining car Is a coach that is set up for passengers to have their meals. Passengers move from their coaches to the dining car for a sit-down meal.
- Coupe’ Is a private section in a coach for two people. All the facilities in a coupe’ is for two people. People are able to sleep and relax in a coupe’ without any interruptions.
- Economy class Is a class that has more rows and more seats, less spacious and cheaper.
- Compartment Is a private section in a coach for four people. All the facilities in a coupe’ is for four people.
- Lounge Is a selection on a train where people can relax. It also provides some entertainment.
- Coach A section on a train. This is a part of train that is sometimes called a car. Different coaches may be used for different class of travel. Some coaches may also be used for special purposes such as
Source: Grade 11 Tourism - Remote Learning Material
Compartment
A private section in a coach for four people. All the facilities in a coupe’ is for four people.
Example: Our compartment on the train was cozy and comfortable.
Lounge
A section on a train where people can relax. It also provides some entertainment.
Example: The lounge on the train had a variety of games and movies for passengers to enjoy.
Coach
A section on a train. This is a part of the train that is sometimes called a car. Different coaches may be used for different classes of travel. Some coaches may also be used for special purposes such as dining.
Different coaches on the train catered to different types of passengers.
Tourist class
A class that is more spacious, has fewer rows, fewer seats, more expensive, and has more legroom.
Passengers in the tourist class enjoyed extra legroom and comfort during their journey.
