The Zohan

I needed to go to London yesterday on business from Northampton.

I had to take a briefcase, small flight case around the size of a breezeblock and my rucksack c/w laptop and bits. None of which are particularly heavy but a bit cumbersome.

Needed to be in London at 16:00hrs and return after 11:30hrs

Options – take the car. The easy option comfortable and drive right to the venue.
Train and cab combo. Underground or bus not really an option as I am loaded with stuff and i do not want to risk getting the laptop or the expensive projector lens in the flight case knicked.

Car should have cost say £ 20.00 fuel (140 miles), £ 15.00 parking and £ 5.00 congestion charge Total £ 40.00.

I chose the train as the car has not been well with gearbox problems.
Train single fare £ 18.50 (not sure which train I may catch back) taxi to venue £ 8.00 taxi back from venue £ 8.00, train back £ 18.50 and a cab home £ 8.00 so a total of £ 61.00.

So £ 21.00 or 50% more than using my car!

And the best bit. The train back did not stop at Northampton, none do until the 05:24hrs (departing Euston) train. I had to disembark at MK and get a coach the last 20 miles. The coach drove virtually past my door on the way to Northampton railway station. I asked the driver if he could drop me at a bus stop but he stated he was not allowed and had to take me to the station.

What a joke the system is. It is grossly expensive and inflexible and only really suits the train operators rather than the passengers if you travel out of usual hours. No I do not expect a door to door service from public transport but it is just not practical or cost effective - IMHO.

Next time I will take the car. I could have hired one and taken it for £ 5.00 more than the train cost and travelled back when I wanted.

KiwiGTI

But to be fair if you had booked a return in advance it probably would have been cheaper.

The congestion charge is £8 and you would struggle to find parkig for £15 too.

The Zohan

I could not do a same day return as i was unsure exactly when i could get away i just made the 23:42 train as it happens. Congestion charge £ 8.00 - ooops. I usually park at Euston for £ 13.00 per day all day or at the venue on a consession rate of £ 13.00. You can park quite cheaply in central London in the evenings if ytou know where to look.

ChrisB

I often park in London Bridge for £8/day.

davegtt

Just out of interest, how much was the return fare? normally you can keep them open, everytime Ive travelled to London Ive got an open return and been able to get on any train I like apart from the 5pm one which is usually fully booked for obvious reasons

David Lock

National Express?

Of course the real cost of a car journey would be say around £1 per mile? I never dared work it out

The Zohan

A cheap day return is £ 22.00 approx but have to travel the same day off peak. I have used this a few time prior travelling as it is quick and cheap +
£ 6.00 per day to park at Northampton

I could not get the 05:24 train back as part of any cheap return as it is classed as a peak time. the single back was £ 32.00 on peak or £ 52.00 return at peak times (approx). I was 'lucky' to get an earlier one as i was unsure if i would be able to due to work commitments.

The Zohan

exactly, you just need to know where the good spots are

davegtt

lol.. good spots, parking for £8 a day LMAO.... And thats why they say you earn more in London

KiwiGTI

I pay £36 a day for parking and congestion charge.

SJ_Skyline

I pay £3100 for an annual season ticket.

Working 230 days a year (roughly) that works out at £13.48 a day.

AND I get a seat in the morning now since they finished extending the platforms for 12 car trains It was agony a couple of years ago when they were carrying out all the engingeering work though

ChrisB

£1 an hour isn't bad these days - I've visited plenty of town centres op Norf that charge the same sort of money.

Freak

Where??
Pm me if you would prefer..

Adrian F

Parking in Holborn area is £4.80 per hour on meters etc

My electricians frequently do £40 a day in pay and display receipts with trips to wholesalers and the constant moving every few hours as tickets run out.

Plus £8 congestion charge and the 1 1/2 drive to work each morning 1 1/2-2 hour drive home each night and if your really lucky a bus lane ticket every now and again, or being late back and finding the van towed away and they have to pay £175 to get it back plus losing wages as not working.

And People wonder why you can’t get decent tradesman working in central London for peanuts!

Still TFL are happy.