Airport Express should have two-class service

Michael Waugh's view (letter, South China Morning Post, March 12) of the MTR Corporation's fare policy for the new airport railway is understandable, but wrong. The MTR has failed to explain its position properly, so let me provide the explanation.

The new trains to Tung Chung carry up to 2,500 mostly standing passengers in basic accommodation, only slightly better than current MTR trains. However Airport Express trains are completely different and only carry 450 seated passengers in upmarket accommodation. In addition they have a carriage that is only for baggage. On a Tung Chung train the equivalent carriage is earning revenue from 350 mostly standing passengers. Mr Waugh is comparing the equivalent of a first-class airline seat with an economy-class one and assuming they cost the same.

The cost of running these two trains is about the same per train journey, so it is reasonable to spread this fixed cost over the people and baggage using the train.

At only $100, plus something for check-in baggage, for the Airport Express ticket, the MTR is probably recovering less per train journey than on the Tung Chung Line, as there are far fewer passengers. So it is an entirely reasonable fare and the MTR is not profiteering at all. I assume that only baggage checked in at stations will be charged for, as this is the baggage using the otherwise non-revenue-generating baggage car. Passengers can carry their own baggage to the airport near their seat, if they want to save this baggage fee, but they lose the convenience of the in-town check-in.

Where the MTR has made a serious mistake is in not providing a two-class service to the airport. It should design half the carriages with basic accommodation and let the large number of people who do not need the plush service travel to the airport in these carriages for $30 to $40. It is not too late to correct this mistake in the future by ordering extra carriages of a different style. The KCR Corporation runs two-class trains so why can't MTRC? Alternatively you can travel to Tung Chung for about $25 and get a shuttle bus to the airport, but this is not so convenient and the service is not designed for baggage. Whether the MTR will stop you carrying baggage on this route remains to be seen.

I will not be paying $400 or more to take my family of four to the airport by Airport Express, as it is cheaper by the Tung Chung Line, taxi or bus.