Shosholoza Meyl passengers can once again make reservations online as the train service seeks to upgrade as part of an overall turnaround strategy.
In February, Tourism Update reported that Shosholoza Meyl had changed its booking procedures and that all tickets had to be purchased at station ticket booths, which played havoc with the operations of train tour operators.
(See http://www.tourismupdate.co.za/Home/Detail?articleId=28026)
Nana Zenani, Senior Manager Marketing and Communications at PRASA Rail, said the new booking procedure was as follows:
• Passengers can book online by completing a reservation request form (https://www.shosholozameyl.co.za/booknow/).
•The reservation form will go through to a call centre agent.
•The call centre will process the request then send the reservation reference number to the client.
•Payment can be made by EFT four days prior to departure or in cash at any railway station.
•The reservations call centre will also process bookings made by phone.
On the issue of group bookings, Tourism Update called the train’s central reservation centre, and was told a group booking could be indicated online by making the necessary comments in the ‘special requirements’ field on the reservation form.
Johan Badenhorst of JB Train Tours, who experienced considerable problems with group bookings when email/online bookings were withdrawn, said he was reluctant to rely on the online booking facility with the volume of groups he handled. He operates at least one rail tour a week averaging at 48 passengers and over 90 tours annually. These are all aimed at the South African market.
However, he said he had negotiated an alternative booking procedure with Shosholoza Meyl “though we still have to pay upfront and pay a 10% cancellation fee if the return trip can’t be hosted”. Bookings are only opened three months in advance.
A shortage of bedding has also been resolved. Badenhorst said bedding was again available on trains and it was “much better than the previous horse blankets”. Zenani said passengers were encouraged to buy their bedding when making their initial reservation.
Note that fares on Shosholoza Meyl and Premier Classe long-distrance trains increased on July 1.
