TW Blog :: Archives for January 2005
Everything is becoming, nothing isPlato
One Up For National Express
Relates to State of the Nation
A couple of good friends have engagement parties in London this February, so I decided it might be a good idea to get my Apex train tickets booked well in advance to ensure I didn't end up burdened with the usual extortionate price that has been the product of privatisation following the 1993 Railway Act.
It was no great surprise to discover that my first outing to the city, being the first weekend of many schools half term, coincides with engineering work between Didcot and Swindon. So, the usual direct service from Gloucester to London is not running. Leaving either a bus transfer or the route via Bristol at 3 hours plus journey time (normally about 110 minutes) for which Apex tickets are not offered. With the cheapest ticket price at approximately £35 before tube connections. For that price I might as well drive! A sentiment I am sure is shared by most people making the journey from the West Country. How can we ever hope to create a greener England by reducing the number of cars on the road when rail prices are so over priced. Increasing road taxes certainly doesn't help. It just leaves less disposable income and even less chance of affording train tickets.
National Express, meanwhile, have actually taken a bit of initiative and are injecting the cost savings of implementing e-tickets into special reduced fares. Despite my reservation of coach travel, under the current circumstances the travel duration equals the roundabout train journey, and my fun fare came out at a whopping £2 return!!! I am sure I can put that cost saving to good use in London :)
Posted on Sunday, Jan 30, 2005 at 22:03:11.
Comments on One Up For National Express (3)
α comment
Dear mate, regarding your asumption that train travel = green transport. This has been challenged by some. Studies have shown that coach travel has a smaller environmental foot print than train travel (sorry I don't have the source for this, will look it up). Trains weigh so much for the amount of passenegers they transport that they use heaps of fuel, thus adding to particlate pollution and greenhouse gases. Also they monopolise their transport system that can lie unused for hours if not days in rural areas. I wonder if one of the attactions of rail travel is that it is inconvenient so we feel we must be making a sacrifice to some greater good. So, it could be proposed that we rip the remaining dinosaurs out and approach transport policy and green issues with an open mind, not worshipping tradition and sacred cows. Conservationist often have conservative attitudes.
Posted by Hooter
Monday, Feb 07, 2005 at 09:50:45
β comment
Hey Owl, Sorry I wasn't actually suggesting/assuming at any stage that train travel is environmentally friendly or green.
Trains do generate their own share of pollution but a full passenger train will generate less greenhouse gas than most of those passengers travelling by car - especially in the urban environment.
As far as policy goes, it is really a word with little substance - especially now elections loom ;)
Posted by Tom
Monday, Feb 07, 2005 at 11:30:01
γ comment
Is there a Coach that go from Liverpool to Gatwick Airpot instead to London Central (Victoria Station) and via Gatwick airpot to Liverpool
Posted by Francina Kanime
Monday, Dec 12, 2005 at 19:02:21