On Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:05:33 +0000
Graeme wrote:
**** will occasionally happen.

Somehow you don't think that applies to the Piccadilly line.

The piccadilly line just stinks of **** in general. Nothing seems to be
repaired properly otherwise there wouldn't be signal failures in the same
places all the damn time, and the staff don't seem to give a toss. I could
commute by tube to where I work now but I choose to drive because I just don't
need the bloody hassle anymore. Sod the enviroment.

B2003

On Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:06:14 +0000
Graeme wrote:
Convenience. Plus if the taxi does get stuck in a solid jam you can always
get out and find a train.

On the M4?

Theres this wonderful new invention called "radio" which has "travel news"
on it.

And that helps you find a train?

Umm , no. I know this is complex but try and follow me if you can:

You listen to the travel news , it says jam on M4. You take other route.

Got it? Or do you want a simplified version in crayon?

B2003

On Tue, 9 Mar 2010 11:51:09 +0000 (UTC), d
wrote:

I thought we were discussing Heathrow Express?

I was talking about PT in general.

Ah, sorry. I didn't spot that in your original message:

On Mon, 8 Mar 2010 11:08:22 +0000 (UTC), d
wrote:

The heathrow services are part of the london rail network. Theres no reason
for them NOT to accept travelcards other than the fact they're given special
treatment for reasons no doubt involving brown envelopes down at whitehall.

The only reason they can still charge extortionate fares is because there
are enough mugs willing to pay them. Why anyone would pay 15 odd quid to be
dumped at paddington is a mystery to me.

So you are implying that all PT are fares are extortionate, whereas
taxis are both more reliable and cost effective. I think I
understand. I must remember that next time I fly anywhere[1].

[1] Train to airport = 5 minute walk to station, £8 - £20 return,
takes just over an hour
Taxi to airport = no walk, £100+ return, takes just over an hour if
the M6 and M60 aren't busy[2].

[2] Unlikely.

On Tue, 9 Mar 2010 16:41:05 +0000 (UTC), d
wrote:

You listen to the travel news , it says jam on M4. You take other route.

More likely, you listen to the travel news, it says jam on M4. You say
"I know, I'm on it."

On Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:42:57 +0000
Ivor The Engine wrote:
[1] Train to airport = 5 minute walk to station, £8 - £20 return,
takes just over an hour
Taxi to airport = no walk, £100+ return, takes just over an hour if
the M6 and M60 aren't busy[2].

If train works for you then fine but last time I flew I had to go to
gatwick - and i live in north london:

PT - 10 min walk to tube. Probably 10 min wait for tube. Hopefully only 40
mins to victoria but who knows. Wait 10 mins to buy ticket at victoria +
probably 10 to 15 min to wait for train which takes about 30 mins so say 1.45
though I've never done it in less than 2.

And if you're going on a w/e then half the tube will be closed for catch up
engineering work so add on 20 mins.

Oh , and if you just manage to catch the train to gatwick as its about to
leave good luck on finding a seat.

Taxi - 10 second walk to taxi. Journey outside rush hour takes about 80 mins.
Less on weekends. Nice and comfy, no hassle.

******** to PT.

B2003

In message
d wrote:

On Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:06:14 +0000
Graeme wrote:
Convenience. Plus if the taxi does get stuck in a solid jam you can always
get out and find a train.

On the M4?

Theres this wonderful new invention called "radio" which has "travel
news" on it.

And that helps you find a train?

Umm , no. I know this is complex but try and follow me if you can:

You listen to the travel news , it says jam on M4. You take other route.

Got it? Or do you want a simplified version in crayon?


Please explain how you take another route when you are already on the M4.
You can use crayon if that is all they will allow you.

--
Graeme Wall

This address not read, substitute trains for rail
Transport Miscellany at www.greywall.demon.co.uk/rail
Photo galleries at http://graeme-wall.fotopic.net/

On Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:12:54 +0000
Graeme wrote:
Please explain how you take another route when you are already on the M4.

The chances of there being a big queue on the M4 that the london radio stations
don't know about when most do travel news every 15 mins is pretty slim.
Probably about the same as you getting on a train and it getting stuck just
outside the station.

B2003

In article , d
wrote:

On Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:42:57 +0000
Ivor The Engine wrote:
[1] Train to airport = 5 minute walk to station, £8 - £20 return,
takes just over an hour
Taxi to airport = no walk, £100+ return, takes just over an hour if
the M6 and M60 aren't busy[2].

If train works for you then fine but last time I flew I had to go to
gatwick - and i live in north london:

PT - 10 min walk to tube. Probably 10 min wait for tube. Hopefully only 40
mins to victoria but who knows. Wait 10 mins to buy ticket at victoria +
probably 10 to 15 min to wait for train which takes about 30 mins so say 1.45
though I've never done it in less than 2.

And if you're going on a w/e then half the tube will be closed for catch up
engineering work so add on 20 mins.

Oh , and if you just manage to catch the train to gatwick as its about to
leave good luck on finding a seat.

Taxi - 10 second walk to taxi. Journey outside rush hour takes about 80 mins.
Less on weekends. Nice and comfy, no hassle.

******** to PT.

Just so we know, can you or someone else fill in the comparative costs
for PV vs Taxi on that trip? Ta.

Sam

In message
d wrote:

On Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:12:54 +0000
Graeme wrote:
Please explain how you take another route when you are already on the M4.

The chances of there being a big queue on the M4 that the london radio
stations don't know about when most do travel news every 15 mins is pretty
slim. Probably about the same as you getting on a train and it getting
stuck just outside the station.


15 minutes is more than long enough to drive past the last escape route and
get stuck.

--
Graeme Wall

This address not read, substitute trains for rail
Transport Miscellany at www.greywall.demon.co.uk/rail
Photo galleries at http://graeme-wall.fotopic.net/

wrote

If train works for you then fine but last time I flew I had to go to
gatwick - and i live in north london:

PT - 10 min walk to tube. Probably 10 min wait for tube. Hopefully only 40
mins to victoria but who knows. Wait 10 mins to buy ticket at victoria +
probably 10 to 15 min to wait for train which takes about 30 mins so say
1.45
though I've never done it in less than 2.

Oh , and if you just manage to catch the train to gatwick as its about to
leave good luck on finding a seat.

Although there's often a queue at the main ticket office at Victoria, there
are plenty of ticket machines, there's a separate Gatwick Express ticket
office which rarely has a queue, and tickets to Gatwick can be bought on
Gatwick Express trains. Anyway, AIUI you can get tickets through to Gatwick
from tube stations. Gatwick Express trains almost always have available
seats, even the peak trains which run through to Brighton. As you are happy
to take a taxi from North London to Gatwick you obviously wouldn't mind the
slightly higher fare for Gatwick Express compared with the Southern trains.

Peter