High-speed trains are often the fastest way to travel between
city centers in Europe, beating short-haul flights for journeys of up to 550
kilometers. At speeds of up to 320 kilometers an hour, the train certainly takes
the strain; compared to airports, high-speed train stations are stress-free
citadels (要塞) of peace. Trains also score well on that shifting
equation of comfort, convenience and cost: On short-haul flights, flying time
can be as little as 20 percent of total journey time. What counts most with mil
travel is the quality of uninterrupted time from the moment you board to the
time you arrive: a train station’s 10-minute average check-in time for business
travelers includes going through security. Take the lap-top and do a pile of
work in peace. A study shows that business travelers are willing to travel up to
four hours on a high-speed train because of" increased productivity" compared
with airline travel, while the limit for leisure travelers is trips of up to six
hours. Railteam, similar to an airline alliance such as Oneworld
or Star Alliance, aims to offer seamless high-speed train travel across Europe.
If, for any reason, a traveler misses a connection because of a late-running
train, Railteam will ensure that he can take the next available train,
irrespective of what type of ticket he holds. Frequent business travelers have
access to lounges in over 30 train stations. The service’s
double-decker train is a version of the modified V150 TGV train ( named for
traveling at 150 meters per second) which broke the world rail speed record on
April 3th,2007, by traveling at 575 kilometers an hour on a special section of
track between Paris and Strasbourg-faster than some light airplanes.
TGV Est trains come with spacious and reclining seats, adjustable lighting
and special" family" areas in second class; first-class passengers have the use
of meeting spaces for up to three people, Wi-Fi(无线局域网络) connectivity and
individual electrical outlets that make it convenient to work a-long the
way. While high-speed trains challenge airlines on short routes,
there are synergies (协同配合) between the two kinds of transport. Air-rail links to
high-speed rail stations can be found at major airports such as those in Paris,
Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Brussels. With the service of Railteam, what could a traveler do if he fails to catch a transit train