Reply to: How much does a train from Cornwall to Scotland cost?

[scooterscot]

The current rail pricing model of offering discounts for booking in advance seem to be specifically designed to hurt the business traveller

But with a growing elderly population -

Just think Mrs Angus Macduff from Aberdeen shall never need miss another afternoon tea with her long lost cousin Mrs Sue Smith from Cornwall, because they got such a cheap fair booking in advance.

If this story makes it to the news, mark my words, they'll be interviewing Mrs Macduff not business user.

[scooterscot]

They are not there as a public service.

WHS + + another +

They're in it for the profit -

[Spacecadet]

This whole booking in advance and travelling at off peak times is a joke also. I've had a number of roles where late in the day it has been decided that I need to be in London the following day. Over 200 quid later the late virgin train gets me to London.

The current rail pricing model of offering discounts for booking in advance seem to be specifically designed to hurt the business traveller

[Paddy]

Perhaps if our trains went a bit faster we could increase line capacity and bring down costs. Or use more carriages, although I gather that option has been ruled out because the platforms would also have to be made longer which would involve knowledge of concrete technology.

Already long trains call at short stations. This is not a problem with new trains because the opening of doors can be restricted. The is no excuse for the poor train services other than the government and the general public can not understand the concept that the train companies exist to make the maximum profit with the least effort. They are not there as a public service.

[scooterscot]

One of the few things I have found good about Switzerland is their public transport. When walking through the baggage hall in the airport there are a couple of machines that dish out free travel tickets for Geneva. Ok the cost normally is 3 francs, but here you get it for free. Now compare that with what you get on arrival at a UK airport.

So if you live in the UK and need to use an airports at short notice you have a couple of choices

1 - pay a stupid amount to use the train to the airport - if there is even one running very early in the morning

2 - drive using expensive petrol on crowded roads and park your car at the airport and pay a more to leave your car than you did for your flight.

3 - use a taxi and pay about the same as the other 2 methods.

This whole booking in advance and travelling at off peak times is a joke also. I've had a number of roles where late in the day it has been decided that I need to be in London the following day. Over 200 quid later the late virgin train gets me to London.

What this country is lacking is extra capacity. Instead of faffing about upgrading the west and east coast lines why not build a high speed rail link down the middle as was proposed a while ago and have the slower east and west lines feed this

You missed one.

4. Pay £1 to use a baggage trolley from arrivals to the train platform.

Always amuses, watching folk attempting to remove a trolley from the rail which it is attached before the frustrated traveler realises they need a pound coin. So they are march back into the airport to buy a newspaper to get change. Luton & Bristol airports we salute you for not allowing such a profiteering opportunity to pass you by.

[AtW]

that option has been ruled out because the platforms would also have to me made longer which would involve knowledge of concrete technology.

[TimberWolf]

Perhaps if our trains went a bit faster we could increase line capacity and bring down costs. Or use more carriages, although I gather that option has been ruled out because the platforms would also have to be made longer which would involve knowledge of concrete technology.

[PRC1964]

Would it be possible to get a country who's government knows what they're doing to nationalise our railways for us?

The Spanish seem to have got quite good at running trains. You can take the AVE from Barcelona to Malaga for €133.60 and if it arrives more than five minutes late you get a full refund.

[BoredBloke]

We could outsource it to the Swiss

One of the few things I have found good about Switzerland is their public transport. When walking through the baggage hall in the airport there are a couple of machines that dish out free travel tickets for Geneva. Ok the cost normally is 3 francs, but here you get it for free. Now compare that with what you get on arrival at a UK airport.

So if you live in the UK and need to use an airports at short notice you have a couple of choices

1 - pay a stupid amount to use the train to the airport - if there is even one running very early in the morning

2 - drive using expensive petrol on crowded roads and park your car at the airport and pay a more to leave your car than you did for your flight.

3 - use a taxi and pay about the same as the other 2 methods.

This whole booking in advance and travelling at off peak times is a joke also. I've had a number of roles where late in the day it has been decided that I need to be in London the following day. Over 200 quid later the late virgin train gets me to London.

What this country is lacking is extra capacity. Instead of faffing about upgrading the west and east coast lines why not build a high speed rail link down the middle as was proposed a while ago and have the slower east and west lines feed this

[Spacecadet]

He 'invested' all the money in improving the freight infrastructure for meat pie deliveries.

And to the Jaguar factories!

[Mich the Tester]

Yes, in 1997, Presscott made a pledge that in five years the UK will have an iintegrated transport system being the envy of Europe. I think I should write as ask he when it will be ready.

He 'invested' all the money in improving the freight infrastructure for meat pie deliveries.

[Paddy]

My monthly ticket here costs me 49.5 euros a month to travel on any bus, tram, metro or local train.

To go by train from Vienna to Venice, off peak, 49 Euros each way.

Venice to South of France, 149 each way.

The UK has gone mad. Wasnt it Prescotts job to sort out public transport??
What happened to him??

PZZ

Yes, in 1997, Presscott made a pledge that in five years the UK will have an iintegrated transport system being the envy of Europe. I think I should write as ask he when it will be ready.

[scotspine]

Also it must be a non-profit organisation.

sounds a bit like mine sometimes

[scooterscot]

We could outsource it to the Swiss

Also it must be a non-profit organisation.

[alreadypacked]

Nationalise the network - please..

We could outsource it to the Swiss