Motherfucking trains.
What makes me utterly apoplectic with rage is the way the train system is run. We are told that we should take trains as they are much better for the environment. I agree with this. We should minimise our long distance car journeys. I also agree with this. In fact, I should point out, I very much like travelling by train as long as I have a seat.

Why then would it cost £150 each (day return) to travel to London from Sheffield on the train when I checked out the prices with a view for booking two weeks in advance of the trip?

So I need four tickets (one for my wife, another two for my parents in law who are travelling from overseas).

£600 for four people to travel to London for the day. Or £25 for petrol and another £25 or so for parking/congestion.

IF IT’S SO GREEN WHY DO WE HAVE TO PAY SO FUCKING MUCH? Why are we being driven to our cars?

*stalks Whitehall with murderous urethra ripping intent*
(powervator and NONE SHALL PASS, Fri 20 Feb 2009, 13:12, 11 replies)

Totally agree with you on this
public transport, particularly trains, is so expensive in this country its a joke.

GRR
(Eldoofus, Fri 20 Feb 2009, 13:16, closed)

Ok
I mean I understand that it's partially subsidised by the government and that subsidy is slipping, so the train operators need to turn a profit. But the problem is that there is no real competition to train companies like other partially privatised industries. The trains will soon only be used by the upper middles class, businesses, and fare dodgers.

The rest of the people will be using untaxed and uninsured cars with no MOT due to the fact that it costs so much to run a car as well.
(powervator and NONE SHALL PASS, Fri 20 Feb 2009, 13:24, closed)

The point is
it shouldn't be subsidised by the government. It was privatised "to encourage competition" which is of course ridiculous, you can have competing coaches and buses, but only one train company can run on the tracks at a time.

If they really thought that trains could be run privately they should have been left to do so, but they obviously can't because trains don't really make a profit, they simply enable other business to make a profit by allowing people to travel around in order to use those businesses.

The best thing the government could do would be to say "Fuck you all private train companies, we'll having this back, and no, there won't be any compensation, you're a bunch of cunts and you're lucky we don't public ally bugger all of you for being such twats".

But that's never gonna happen.
(Bazongaloid, Fri 20 Feb 2009, 13:42, closed)

it's a damn shame that won't happen
because it is precisely what is required
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Fri 20 Feb 2009, 15:20, closed)

Ooh, good idea
*enters into Manifesto*
( uberdeity Wondered why Owen Lars knew of the term "hell" on, Fri 20 Feb 2009, 16:34, closed)

You're being driven to your car?
Have you considered parking closer to home?
(teff, Fri 20 Feb 2009, 13:53, closed)

Hehe
It was my lame-o attempt at a pun. Actually I park my car at my local playground so I can look at them.
(powervator and NONE SHALL PASS, Fri 20 Feb 2009, 14:14, closed)

C.U.N.T.S
Totally agree. Gouging cocksucks, no less.
(airbiscuit last dropped a meaty one in the lift on, Fri 20 Feb 2009, 14:21, closed)

I've just had a mild eyeball
at firstgreatwestern.co.uk, and they came up for about £140 return... (only a tenner cheaper though)

I think it's the case of literally booking months in advance, but I personally feel it should be like flights, last come gets the cheapest tickets, then all the seats would be filled. But then, I guess there'd be loads of losses and the rails need servicing and blah de blah...

I'm the queen of booking fucking train tickets, but if you do book them as soon as you know the date, then it is possible for getting good deals. I'm a student with a railcard as well, but (just this week!!1) I'm going to Great Yarmouth on Friday from Reading for £17, then going home on next monday from Grantham to Reading for £14, and considering I have no car, this is aces for me.
(dragondracus, Mon 23 Feb 2009, 10:42, closed)

You don't; it doesn't
I've just checked the journey planner for trains from Sheffield to London in 2 weeks' time (March 10).

An 6am train (bit painful, but full day in London) is £28. A 10am train (London by midday) is £20. Returning home at 7pm costs £11 - if you want to go right in the rush hour at 5.30pm, it'll be £36.

You know who I hate? People who fuck up and then blame the government for their mistakes...
(stalinism, Tue 24 Feb 2009, 18:01, closed)

Oh yeah?
Well I have just checked the national rail enquiries website for that day and the cheapest advance fare is £129 return leaving at 07:30 and leaving KingsX at 18:30. I am not trying to paint the worst case scenario and I don't really have any motive for lying either as I have already stated that I prefer travelling by train.
(powervator and NONE SHALL PASS, Wed 25 Feb 2009, 10:24, closed)