"Chris Read" wrote in message
...
National Express are looking to close their Dot2Dot airport transfer
service by the first quarter of next year, unless a buyer can be found.
The service has delivered a loss of £5m since inception - a worse than
expected performance for this 'start up' venture.

Dot2Dot runs a fleet of high-spec'd Mercedes and VW mini-buses, ferrying
tourists and business folk between Heathrow and central London
hotels/Canary Wharf, on a pre-booked basis. Fares were typically circa £20
one way (more to Docklands), although I note there is now a £16 special
offer on their web site, advertised as under-cutting HEX.

Thats ok, but at least you know with the HeX its only 15 min's

This always struck me as being a (small) niche market. Those with generous
expense accounts ((prepare for backlash!)) no doubt continue to find
black cabs or HEX more convenient and flexible, whilst the pool of leisure
travellers willing to stump up £80 for a group of four must be somewhat
limited.

We use AdLee for that sort of thing, and best of all if you have to beat the
traffic you can go on the back of a bike! Most of the people I know who do a
transfer will use a black cab, or public transport depending who they are
and where there going.


I suspect, in hindsight, NatEx are glad they got out of GatEx when they
did, with Southern already reporting that demand is softening. Indeed, the
enhanced Brighton main line service (from December) now looks somewhat
ill-timed.

True, I don't every remember any journeys that where *very* busy. From time
to time we have to use the Stansted express and every one has said its the
most god awful airport rail service they have been on. Dirty old 317's, slow
journey times no air con and heating so hot in some cars you could cook!