I now commute by train - 50% of the time!

Originally Posted by jamesterror

Being a student does have it pro's, 1/3 off rail fairs.

I don't tend to have much against train fares, as while I've been a student I've been getting those advanced single tickets which get me to manchester from aberystwyth for just over a tenner, way cheaper than investing in an all year ticket, even with a third off.

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by keithd

japan has a fantastic train service as we know, wanna know why? cos its modern! whats the answer? shut up, i've just come on here to moan. chuck loads of money at it, and i mean billions. but that aint gonna happen cos joe modern dont want to have a hike in taxes

Why the hell should people pay tax for a service not all use?

Like the last bout of congestion charge debate, people saying "yes it's ok if they spend it on public transport" .... f##k off, I'm on the bike anyway so what do I care how the train service works? More buses? No thanks, they are hard to get around and the drivers don't care if you damage them.

[Gazza77]

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

Why the hell should people pay tax for a service not all use?

Like the last bout of congestion charge debate, people saying "yes it's ok if they spend it on public transport" .... f##k off, I'm on the bike anyway so what do I care how the train service works? More buses? No thanks, they are hard to get around and the drivers don't care if you damage them.

So instead you'd prefer it not to be subsidised at all, leading to huge price hikes thus more people on the road and evern greater congestion?

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

Why the hell should people pay tax for a service not all use?

Like the last bout of congestion charge debate, people saying "yes it's ok if they spend it on public transport" .... f##k off, I'm on the bike anyway so what do I care how the train service works? More buses? No thanks, they are hard to get around and the drivers don't care if you damage them.

playing devils advocate then...not everybody uses the NHS. not everybody is sick, but everybody pays for that.

its a knock on effect, if there were better rail links more people would use it, less cars and buses on the road and you can have a safer environment to ride in...

[yorkie_chris]

I'm of the opinion that if it was managed sensibly it could run efficiently on ticket sales.

It is subsidised now and the prices aren't going to tempt anyone off the roads, £5 to go to leeds as an example. That's a quid more than my fuel to do the same.

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

I'm of the opinion that if it was managed sensibly it could run efficiently on ticket sales.

It is subsidised now and the prices aren't going to tempt anyone off the roads, £5 to go to leeds as an example. That's a quid more than my fuel to do the same.

The problem I have is different bus companies not working together for the benefit of their customers. Costs me £6 to get to your house because I have to use 3 different bus companies as a result of going through 3 counties (roundabout route). It just gets petty, all competing with each other. At the end of the day people without cars are forced to use buses, why pi$$ off those those loyal customers by constantly upping the prices? Everytime I go home I have to pay that little bit extra, winds me up no end (as you might be able to tell).

There used to be a little bus that took 3 quarters of an hour over the tops, chopping two thirds off the current journey to the same place. They removed that because not enough people used it apparently. So they take away a service that greatly inconveniences others just because of these rival companies not wanting to work together. Gah.

Sorry rant over now.

[Gazza77]

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

I'm of the opinion that if it was managed sensibly it could run efficiently on ticket sales.

It is subsidised now and the prices aren't going to tempt anyone off the roads, £5 to go to leeds as an example. That's a quid more than my fuel to do the same.

Exactly, it needs more subsidies to encourage more people off the road. Get rid of subsidies and you could be talking £50 to Leeds and no-one would use it. Trains are never going to be self funding in most cases, however they provide other economic and social benefits, eg keeping traffic off the roads.

Originally Posted by missyorkie_chris

The problem I have is different bus companies not working together for the benefit of their customers. Costs me £6 to get to your house because I have to use 3 different bus companies as a result of going through 3 counties (roundabout route). It just gets petty, all competing with each other. At the end of the day people without cars are forced to use buses, why pi$$ off those those loyal customers by constantly upping the prices? Everytime I go home I have to pay that little bit extra, winds me up no end (as you might be able to tell).

There used to be a little bus that took 3 quarters of an hour over the tops, chopping two thirds off the current journey to the same place. They removed that because not enough people used it apparently. So they take away a service that greatly inconveniences others just because of these rival companies not wanting to work together. Gah.

Sorry rant over now.

That's privatisation for you..... even the local PTE's won't deal with each other to encourage cross county travel. I travel anywhere in WYorks for £965 pa on any bus or train. A season ticket to Manchester (approx same distance as Leeds) costs over £1500 for that one journey alone, simply because it crosses between WYPTE and GMPTE.

[yorkie_chris]

£965 ... how many miles do you do roughly?

[Gazza77]

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

£965 ... how many miles do you do roughly?

Hebden to Leeds return daily on the train - return.
Leeds Station to Jimmys daily on the bus - return.
Hebden to Old Town daily on the bus - single (I walk in a morning).
That is approx 52 miles (AA website) per day, 5 days a week.

Weekends I will often use the local bus service into Hebden and back to get shopping. I also use the bus or train to go into Sowerby or Tod if going out for a meal and want to drink.

I also use the train or bus for other random journeys as and when weather is bad (I live down a track that doesn't get gritted)/I want to drink/I can't face heavy traffic and want to carry a few bags of shopping.

I only do approx 3k per year in the car, but like the bike it's a bit of a toy, and at 9 years old (6 with me) it doesn't owe me anything so I won't sell it.

[yorkie_chris]

With my economy on bike that would be about £1300 petrol a year, and at least £200 in tyres. Worth every penny for the freedom lol.