Blues train switches it up

THE Blues Train is entering a new era, shaking up the way passengers experience the scenic railway journey.

As the new season approaches, the live music experience is introducing new daytime shows, with drinks also now included in ticket prices and buffet-style food removed.

Blues Train owner Daniel Kay said there were several reasons for the changes, all allowing them to provide better customer service and focus on the live music and heritage train.

“Having the meals meant for a longer experience for people, the experience length before was 5.5 hours with the meals.

“We can take the meals away, shorten the experience and really deliver a much better product.”

Buffet food has been replaced with a nibbles box, produced by a local Ocean Grove business, complete with hummus, cheese, carrots and more.

The addition of the box means staff can also easily cater to people with different dietary requirements and passengers can enjoy something light onboard.

Mr Kay said just under 50 per cent of The Blues Train’s coming shows would be in the daytime.

“In the past, we would do shows all the way to the end of May, but by the time we left Queenscliff, the sun had set and most people didn’t get to see the beautiful views of Swan Bay.

“We’ve scheduled our Blues Trains around mealtime so that you can explore the Queenscliff cafes and restaurants before and after and get what you want.”

Introducing the daytime shows will also allow for people attending from Melbourne or the Mornington Peninsula to return home at a reasonable time.

Drinks will now also be included in the ticket price to stop people from having to reach into their pockets all night for drinks.

“We have expanded the non-alcoholic range to include people that don’t drink or may be designated drivers,” Mr Kay said.

“We’ve got a huge range of non-alcoholic beer, wine, prosecco, we also have mocktails and soft drinks.”

The Blues Train will return to the tracks with its new format and season in October.

For more information, head to thebluestrain.com.au