Train Industry

What is the 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.
TERMINOLOGY

Terms Explanation
1. Commuter A person who travels some distance to
work on a regular basis.
2. Schedule A list of railway journeys arranged
according to the time when they begin
and end.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Economy class Is a class that has more rows and more
seats, less spacious and cheaper.
6. Compartment Is a private section in a coach for four
people? All the facilities in a coupe’ is
for four people.
7. Lounge Is a selection on a train where people
can relax? It also provides some
entertainment.
8. 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 dining.
9. Tourist class Is a class that is more spacious, has
fewer rows, fewer seats, more
expensive and has more leg room