GNER have sent me an e-mail containing various information. (Actually, as I type this I've realsied that this is the first time GNER have ever sent me one of these updates that I actually found information that was relevant to me and worth reading).
Anyway, they've announce the introduction of 12 new Leeds (Going down)/London services from May 21st and how many will be stopping at each staion on the ECML. I clicked the link and found the following information: -
The launch of 12 extra services between Leeds and London means customers can now enjoy two trains an hour during weekdays.
GNER is delighted to announce the arrival of 12 extra Leeds-London services, raising the number to a record 65 services each weekday. This equates to 32,000 more seats every week for customers travelling between London, the East Midlands and Yorkshire.
Towns and cities that benefit from the extra services—besides London and Leeds—include Bradford, Bingley, Castleford, Dewsbury, Harrogate, Halifax, Huddersfield, Keighley, Ilkley, Pudsey and Skipton.
More trains, better connections
• 9 additional services between Doncaster and London provide customers connecting from Hull, Brough, Scunthorpe, Grimsby and Cleethorpes with more journey options
• 11 additional services between Newark and London provide customers connecting from Lincoln and Gainsborough with more choices
• 7 additional services between Grantham and London give better options to customers connecting from Skegness, Sleaford and Nottingham
• 6 additional services between Peterborough and London provide customers connecting from Stamford, Oakham, March and Ely with more services
Thats goods news and relevant to me. Shame it doesn't give times as that would have been really useful and I could have imediately seen how the new services would have benefitted me. No surprise that GNER missed an opontinity really impress me and give me really useful information that was REALLY REALLY relevant to me.
It went on to tell me about a competition they're running called 'Office Party' to celebrate the launch of the new services. The prize is a night out for up to 20 people, worth £8,000! The prize includes travel to Leeds or London, dinner at the Hard Rock Café and an overnight stay. There are two main prizes: one in Leeds and one in London. To be in with a chance of winning, you need to take a picture of yourself or a colleague who resembles a famous rock or pop star and upload it on the web page on GNER's site http://gner.co.uk/gner/officeparty/entercompetition.htm.
From my point of view, this little piece of marketing is far better executed. It's relevant to me again and it tells me everything I need to know.
Finally it told me of another promotion called 'Work, Rock & Stay'. Apparently all you need do is purchase two GNER all-inclusive ticket packages on separate days of travel between Leeds and London (and selected connecting West Yorkshire stations) between 21 May and 22 June 2007. In return, we will give you a complimentary GNER First Advance return ticket for two on the GNER Leeds to London route. In addition—and here’s the Rock and Stay part!—you’ll receive some great offers from both Hard Rock Café and Superbreak.
As before, it's relevant (sort of but only cos I won't respond) and it tells me all I need to know. The point I'm finally getting too is that the bit of info I'm most interested in and most useful too me was incomplete and eventually made me fell a bit let down. The promotion marketing however was just the opposite. Like the Leeds for a fiver deal, I actually feel the value to be had is quite good. As it is the whole e-mail left me thinking typical GNER, money first, service second.