Surely the trains here never break down!
So (and excuse me chatting to you - but hey - the life of a community manager is never easy!) there are a few issues here.
1) A broken down train is of no use to the company. It is going to have to be repaired or replaced at some point, otherwise this is a capital investment down the drain
2) The company needs to keep the passengers happy, 'so they use the company for future travel.
3) And then there is the maths.....
The Jupiter, travelling at an average of 300 km/hr will travel the 620km distance in 2 hours and 4 mins, arriving at 8:34 pm
Option 1 - Emergency fix - 4 hour delay. Train will arrive at 00:34. Too late for connection. Cost = $30,000 in compensation and the passengers will be unhappy. And, the train will need a more durable fix. Bad choice
Option 2 - Complete cancellation. Unhappy passengers. Train still needs fixing. Reimbursement costs of $16,000. Bad choice
Option 3 - Exchange motor - 90 minute delay. Train will arrive at 10:04pm. Passengers get their connection. Train is fixed. Cost $12,000. Good choice. Passengers will need to hang around for an hour and a half so consider throwing in tea and biscuits to keep them happy - go on - you know us passengers are worth it!
Option 4 - Napping Neptune. Speed is 40% of the Jupiter. Speed is 120 km/hr. It will take 5 hours 10 mins to travel 620 km. Passengers will make their connection in time, but it will be a tight run thing. And they will spend over 5 hours on the train. That's a looooong time. Travelling at this time of the evening with a late arrival will leave no time for dinner at the other end - so I hope there is food on the train. And, the Jupiter still needs fixing. Not a good choice.
Options 1 and 2 are not appropriate.
Option 3 is the one to go for
But, if it is a summer evening with a journey through beautiful country side and if there is a dinning car on the Neptune, some passengers may like the sound of option 4.
So - the company should take option 3, but if circumstances are favourable, the company could also advise passengers that they have the choice of taking the Neptune instead. You never know, the company may make a killing with cash purchases in the dinning car!!!!
Champagne and canapes anyone?