Commuting - train vs car

**DigitalUser** · 13 May 2015, 13:04

Originally posted by cityben View Post

Hi All

I'm new to contracting but found this forum's advice invaluable so far - so thanks!

I'm in my first contract which is about 35 miles from where I live. I'm just trying to figure out whether it's best for me to commute by car or train. I know this has been asked before but I can't quite figure out which is be better off doing with regards to expenses or 45p per mile is get back and having to pay for up keep of car. Obviously some will come from expenses and corp tax can't be charged and if car some will go to me but will probably go towards maintenance.

If I get train weekly/monthly pass it'll be about £14 per day.

My car is 1.6 petrol so probably not very economical.

I'm leaning towards train although it means commute is about 20 mins longer and I have to get up earlier!

Any advice appreciated

Cheers

Admin - please can this be moved to general (for the sake of the OP).

OP - do you need someone to wipe your a$$ too?

**eek** · 13 May 2015, 13:11

Originally posted by DigitalUser View Post

Admin - please can this be moved to general (for the sake of the OP).

OP - do you need someone to wipe your a$$ too?

No that's for the sake of you. Nothing to do with him.

I look at the overall journey before deciding what to do.

A train journey will usually consist of get to station - catch train - get to office at the far end.

If that journey becomes more than just car - train - walk I look at driving.

Getting to a City centre for me means car to station - train - walk to office (so I catch the train). Getting to the outskirts of a city centre means car - train - bus - walk... In that case I drive as there are too many things that can go wrong..

**SueEllen** · 13 May 2015, 13:18

Try the commute by train and if it's bad, try the commute by car.

The £0.45 for the first 10,000 etc is to pay for fuel and wear and tear. It's not more money in your pocket.

Last time I did a lot of commuting by car it paid for a set of new tyres, lights etc.

**ChimpMaster** · 13 May 2015, 13:20

Hire a cheap car for £20/day and just charge the mileage, which will be 70*0.45=£31.50/day.

I wouldn't take the train unless it was more convenient and quicker. It doesn't look like that'll be the case for you.

**SlipTheJab** · 13 May 2015, 13:20

Answer is whichever is easier, cost is only a secondary factor IMO, I commute from the Midlands to London, train is the only feasible option for me and it costs me ~ £1500 a month (I pay the extra 50% to go First Class as it makes the journey much more bearable), and £14 a day is nothing, I spend that on my lunch...

**Batcher** · 13 May 2015, 13:28

Originally posted by SlipTheJab View Post

Answer is whichever is easier, cost is only a secondary factor IMO, I commute from the Midlands to London, train is the only feasible option for me and it costs me ~ £1500 a month (I pay the extra 50% to go First Class as it makes the journey much more bearable), and £14 a day is nothing, I spend that on my lunch...

+1

I would never make my journey longer or more difficult to save a few quid. It has to be the easiest and quickest way to get there and back not to mention the most relaxing. I wouldn't drive if it meant I was stuck in traffic for an hour if the train gets there in 20 minutes

You should really check all that out before accepting a contract and building in any extra costs to your rate.

**cityben** · 13 May 2015, 14:57

Thanks for feedback.

Train is only a bit longer. I've driven today and traffic was ok but it's M6 North so sure there will be bad days.

Think train will be best for me.

**psychocandy** · 13 May 2015, 15:15

I get train to my gig - 50 miles away. Takes longer than you think if you factor in getting to station, parking, other end etc. Reckon with me its 90 mins each way instead of 60 mins if I drive.

BUT, generally, its less stressful I reckon. Trains are crap at time but depends how rammed the trains are. If its empty you can have a kip. For me, 1 hour+ each way would knacker me out if I had to drive.

And I wont say, pay for the train yourself and claim the mileage anyway, no-one will know lol. Not a good idea IMHO but I know people who do. (i.e. for you 70 miles per day x 45p = £31.50 as opposed to £14 for train ticket - so thats £17.50 per day you aint paying tax on = £3.50 a day less CT).

Not worth the potential grief IMHO but no way you can get caught out I reckon.

**SlipTheJab** · 13 May 2015, 15:30

Originally posted by psychocandy View Post

I get train to my gig - 50 miles away. Takes longer than you think if you factor in getting to station, parking, other end etc. Reckon with me its 90 mins each way instead of 60 mins if I drive.

BUT, generally, its less stressful I reckon. Trains are crap at time but depends how rammed the trains are. If its empty you can have a kip. For me, 1 hour+ each way would knacker me out if I had to drive.

And I wont say, pay for the train yourself and claim the mileage anyway, no-one will know lol. Not a good idea IMHO but I know people who do. (i.e. for you 70 miles per day x 45p = £31.50 as opposed to £14 for train ticket - so thats £17.50 per day you aint paying tax on = £3.50 a day less CT).

Not worth the potential grief IMHO but no way you can get caught out I reckon.

Also known as fraud...

Commuting - train vs car