Long commute vs shorter, more stressful commute

[d000hg]

I'm currently on 3 hours each way at the moment, and do it 5 days a week and it's not easy. Can't stay over due to family care commitments, so the travel is the only option. I wouldn't recommend this tbh, but I said I'd do it to get the project over the line.

Wow, I could commute from Durham to London! Although that train is one of the best ones I've travelled on in the UK recently so it wouldn't be too bad when you get 3-course dinner and free wine.

[Whorty]

How long are you doing that for?

Currently planned until September, possibly October. Definitely not later!!

[Whorty]

Nor me. 30+ hours a week commuting to site isn't worth any rate or obligation.

I felt obliged as other contractors were saying they would not extend if I didn't .. and it would have resulted in over half the staff leaving the project at a crucial time (all very complex) so i felt obliged to stay on if only to ensure the others stayed too.

Client is appreciative, as is the agent that we all work through. Hopefully some good karma will come my way in my next contract

When I finish this gig I won't have to work the rest of the year (although I might need some time in rehab )

[Whorty]

Until the inevitable heart attack...

hope not

[Avalonia]

Gumbo , I would go for option 2 or stay up during the week

[psychocandy]

Option 1:

Drive to Brislington park&ride - 45 mins
Bus to Bristol TM - 15 mins + 5 mins wait
Train to Cheltenham - 40 mins
Walk to office - 15 mins

Total: 2 hours

Option 2:

Drive to Westbury station - 25 mins
Train to Cheltenham: 2 hours
Walk to office: 15 mins

Total: 2 hours 40 mins

So the second option is 40 minutes longer but its on s train that seems to be mostly empty. Less stress & fewer things to go wrong compared to option 1

What would you do?

westbuty to cheltenham really two hours by train?

[psychocandy]

Option 1:

Drive to Brislington park&ride - 45 mins
Bus to Bristol TM - 15 mins + 5 mins wait
Train to Cheltenham - 40 mins
Walk to office - 15 mins

Total: 2 hours

Option 2:

Drive to Westbury station - 25 mins
Train to Cheltenham: 2 hours
Walk to office: 15 mins

Total: 2 hours 40 mins

So the second option is 40 minutes longer but its on s train that seems to be mostly empty. Less stress & fewer things to go wrong compared to option 1

What would you do?

I do 10 mins drive, 5 mins walk, 45-55 mins train, 15 mins walk, so over 90 mins each way. Drive would be probably 65-75 mins.

Very rarely do I stay over. Only if I fancy a change, and maybe if I've got some planned late out of hours work. Pointless getting home at 10pm only to be out at 7am again.

Lot less stressful on just one train as long as its not packed - mine isnt. You get used to it. Im usually kipping on the train so it flies by.

Not ideal. Im out the door at 7am and not home until 615pm. Later if things go belly up. But I get so my youngest for an hour or so each night.

Tired at end of week but would be worse if I drove I think.

Like you, train is cheap - £15/day with season ticket so staying over is an expensive option.

[psychocandy]

I'm currently on 3 hours each way at the moment, and do it 5 days a week and it's not easy. Can't stay over due to family care commitments, so the travel is the only option. I wouldn't recommend this tbh, but I said I'd do it to get the project over the line.

My next contract will have to be closer to home and less travel. It makes no difference how good the day rate is, time with your family is always worth more!

Aim for the shorter time if you can if only to get more time with your family.

Wow 3 hours EACH Way....

[psychocandy]

I felt obliged as other contractors were saying they would not extend if I didn't .. and it would have resulted in over half the staff leaving the project at a crucial time (all very complex) so i felt obliged to stay on if only to ensure the others stayed too.

Client is appreciative, as is the agent that we all work through. Hopefully some good karma will come my way in my next contract

When I finish this gig I won't have to work the rest of the year (although I might need some time in rehab )

Sod that - staying on with a huge commute just to keep client happy lol. And the agent - do you really care about them?

One way client could be appreciative for me in this situation would be to let me WFH 2-3 days a week. I would deffo be raising this with them.

In my gig, like I said its 90 mins, but no WFH EVER EVER EVER. Even permies cant do it. It is what it is but eventually its going to do my chunk and I wont want to do 5 days in the snow/pissing down rain walking from the train. Then client can think again.

[Gumbo Robot]

Gumbo , I would go for option 2 or stay up during the week

Tried option 2 Friday & guess what?

Fine going up but got to the station to get the train home to find the service had been cancelled

That was the last direct train back to Westbury. Only alternative was go go via Bristol & get the nasty, packed littke commuter cattle truck that goes to Southampton.

Predictably I had 5 mins to get from platform 11 to platform 3 at BTM & because of the hoards of people in the concourse ran the wrong way up the stairs & attracted the approbrium of some self appointed health and safety warrior how yelled "you f***g prat" at me.

Chilled, it was not.

westbuty to cheltenham really two hours by train?

7:04 am from Westbury via Swindon. Gets in at 9:05.