Chauffeur company Blacklane has launched flat-rate rides between London and six UK cities. The door-to-door transfers are from London to Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Liverpool, Manchester and Southampton.
The company had previously specialised in airport transfers, but had also offered city to city transport as part of its service. With the current collapse in business travel, Blacklane is focusing on these city to city transfers, focussing on both the peace of mind aspect of avoiding public transport, as well as productivity gains.
Depending on the time of day and the number of people travelling, the service can even be cost effective, since the price is per ride rather than per passenger. The service also eliminates the need of travelling to and from train stations at either end of the journey.
The rates are as follows, when compared with trains (figures from Blacklane).
| Blacklane Business Class flat rate | Blacklane Business Class per person (2 guests) | Train
Standard Fare* |
Train
First-Class Fare* |
|
| Birmingham | £99 | £49.50 | £79 | £104 |
| Bristol | £99 | £49.50 | £46.30 | £122.60 |
| Cambridge | £50 | £25 | £25.80 | £41.30 |
| Liverpool | £199 | £99.50 | £147 | £173 |
| Manchester | £199 | £99.50 | £157 | £185 |
| Southampton | £70 | £35 | £46.10 | £78.30 |
* Train fares were for peak-hour travel for one seat for one seat on 15.09.20, researched on 14.09.20.
The company says that its drivers disinfect vehicles and water bottles before each ride, avoid passenger contact and offer hand sanitiser. All chauffeurs and passengers wear face masks for all rides worldwide. Chauffeurs will provide masks if guests do not have them.
The cars used are Mercedes-Benz E-Class and vans such as the Mercedes-Benz V-Class with leather seats and charging ports for tablets and phones. Bookings can be made one way or return. Rides to Bristol, Cambridge and Southampton can be cancelled for no charge one hour before departure. with Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham and rides that exceed 200 kilometres requiring a 24-hour cancellation. The company offsets emissions from all rides worldwide through a partnership with U.K.-based Carbon Footprint, Ltd.
Comparison: One Canada Square (London) to MediaCity UK (Manchester) for two travellers
| Train + Public Transit | Blacklane Business Class | |
| Cost | Standard: £322.601
First-class: £378.601 |
£200 |
| Total travel time | 3:462 | 3:523 |
| Number of transfers | 3 | 0 |
| Productive time | 2:05 | 3:52 |
| Percent productive time | 55% | 100% |
| Waiting time | 45+ minutes | 0 minutes |
| Walking time | 18 minutes3 | 0 minutes |
- 8:00 departure from London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly on 15.09.20, researched on 14.09.20. Two tube fares from Canary Wharf to Euston cost £5.80. Two Manchester Zone 1 tram fares cost £2.80.
- Google Maps, and adding the recommended arrival time of 30-minutes before departure.
- Google Maps.
