Reply to: Commuting - train vs car

[Batcher]

no need to worry about traffic jams or busy trains when you've got a bike, all you have to do is keep an eye out for the half asleep moron in the car who is going to kill you because you think you are invincible with your leathers on and take risks doing silly maneuvers like the idiot you are

FTFY

[slatt]

As you said!

As I really said

all you have to do is keep an eye out for the half asleep moron in the car who is going to kill you

[slatt]

Do you get changed at work or just travel in your smart gear? I never feel comfy riding for more than 15 - 20 minutes with my shirt on underneath. I have just picked up some new gear, though - so maybe I'll give it a whirl.

I actually brought my bike down to the hotel for a few weeks last month while they were doing road works, though - that was great.

I pretty much always get changed at work unless the job is really close, but how often does that happen!

As you say, any relatively short journey and you can get away with the shirt on too, but you do tend to turn up a little more crinkled than everyone else, which doesn't always look totally professional

[psychocandy]

Option 3: get a motorbike and get knocked off and killed!

no need to worry about traffic jams or busy trains when you've got a bike, all you have to do is keep an eye out for the half asleep moron in the car who is going to kill you (hello to the guy who pulled out on me last night without looking )

As you said!

[vwdan]

Option 3: get a motorbike and ride in!

no need to worry about traffic jams or busy trains when you've got a bike, all you have to do is keep an eye out for the half asleep moron in the car who is going to kill you (hello to the guy who pulled out on me last night without looking )

Do you get changed at work or just travel in your smart gear? I never feel comfy riding for more than 15 - 20 minutes with my shirt on underneath. I have just picked up some new gear, though - so maybe I'll give it a whirl.

I actually brought my bike down to the hotel for a few weeks last month while they were doing road works, though - that was great.

[slatt]

Option 3: get a motorbike and ride in!

no need to worry about traffic jams or busy trains when you've got a bike, all you have to do is keep an eye out for the half asleep moron in the car who is going to kill you (hello to the guy who pulled out on me last night without looking )

[psychocandy]

I don't think I have the balls to do that ^!

My commute options are

15 min walk from home, 1 hr train (with one change), 5 min walk to office

Or

Drive and park at office 50 mins on a good day, 1.5hrs + on a bad day.

For me, stress of driving in commute traffic and risk of getting caught in big jams means train is better option for now.

Not suggesting you do lol.

yep train.

[eek]

Zzzzz! I had a query and thankfully some answered with useful advice.

It was a query to see what others with more experience than I, I'm sure you fit into that, would be able to offer advice on.

It wasn't a question only about preference, although that feedback is good too. It was also about what is the best option financially.

Thanks for your time though

Financially you may save a few quid at 45p a mile compared to the cost of the petrol and tyres...

Train wise you expense the cost of the ticket you buy. As such cost is really utterly irrelevant

[cityben]

Zzzzz! I had a query and thankfully some answered with useful advice.

It was a query to see what others with more experience than I, I'm sure you fit into that, would be able to offer advice on.

It wasn't a question only about preference, although that feedback is good too. It was also about what is the best option financially.

Thanks for your time though

[BolshieBastard]

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

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

Spot on! Anyone asking this sought of question really should go back to permie!

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

Think you've mistaken us for mumsnet!

Really!?

Next question, am I better staying away in a tent or B&B?

[cityben]

I don't think I have the balls to do that ^!

My commute options are

15 min walk from home, 1 hr train (with one change), 5 min walk to office

Or

Drive and park at office 50 mins on a good day, 1.5hrs + on a bad day.

For me, stress of driving in commute traffic and risk of getting caught in big jams means train is better option for now.

[SlipTheJab]

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...

[psychocandy]

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.

[cityben]

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.

[Batcher]

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.