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How Long to Buy a Ticket
I remember many years ago that somebody got off a charge of travelling
without a ticket because they had waited a long time in a queue then rather than miss the train got on without a ticket. At Watford Junc this morning two machines were out of order and the queue at the one working machine and at the booking office would have meant a wait of at least 20 minutes if not longer. I managed to buy a ticket from the excess window otherwise I would have got back in the car and driven to work. Are there any figures around for what is an unacceptable wait because this morning was a shambles. It will be a long time before I am stupid enough to rely on National rail again. Kevin |
How Long to Buy a Ticket
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How Long to Buy a Ticket
What are suggesting, that I drive to say St Albans and start my journey
there because Thameslink aren't as uselss as Silverlink. If I live in Watford and start my journey in Watford then surely I should expect to be able to buy a ticket without queuing for 20 minutes. As it happened I didn't but lots of people obviously did. Not much use in considering rail travel if you have to add an indeterminate amount of time to your journey to cover the purchase of a ticket. Kevin |
How Long to Buy a Ticket
) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :
What are suggesting, that I drive to say St Albans and start my journey there because Thameslink aren't as uselss as Silverlink. If I live in Watford and start my journey in Watford then surely I should expect to be able to buy a ticket without queuing for 20 minutes. You could walk to the Met line station? |
How Long to Buy a Ticket
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How Long to Buy a Ticket
wrote to uk.transport.london on Thu, 24 Mar 2005:
What are suggesting, that I drive to say St Albans and start my journey there because Thameslink aren't as uselss as Silverlink. If I live in Watford and start my journey in Watford then surely I should expect to be able to buy a ticket without queuing for 20 minutes. As it happened I didn't but lots of people obviously did. Not much use in considering rail travel if you have to add an indeterminate amount of time to your journey to cover the purchase of a ticket. But how often is there (a) a very long queue and (b) ticket machines out of order? If I know I'm going to travel, and suspect there will be a queue at the time of day I wish to go, I usually try to buy my ticket earlier in the day, or even the previous day. And, of course, for many journeys, buying in advance is a very great deal cheaper! -- "Mrs Redboots" http://www.amsmyth.demon.co.uk/ Website updated 20 March 2005 |
How Long to Buy a Ticket
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How Long to Buy a Ticket
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How Long to Buy a Ticket
wrote:
What are suggesting, that I drive to say St Albans and start my journey there because Thameslink aren't as uselss as Silverlink. IME it's completely the opposite! Silverlink have nice staff, nice trains & are punctual, with good information and revenue protection, more than I can say for TL. -- To reply direct, remove NOSPAM and replace with railwaysonline For railway information, news and photos see http://www.railwaysonline.co.uk |
How Long to Buy a Ticket
On Thu, 24 Mar 2005 13:20:18 +0000, Mrs Redboots wrote:
But how often is there (a) a very long queue Always in peak and (b) ticket machines out of order? About 60% of the time one of them is out of order, about 30% of the time they are both out of order, at least at my local station. Pay by card? No choice but the ticket window. If I know I'm going to travel, and suspect there will be a queue at the time of day I wish to go, I usually try to buy my ticket earlier in the day, or even the previous day. And, of course, for many journeys, buying in advance is a very great deal cheaper! Most people dont want to plan travel in advance. The beuaty of a car is "I need to travel, I travel". It's only on very long distance trips, mainly airplanes, that people buy well in advance. For daily and weekly tasks people travel spontaneously. -- Everything I write here is my personal opinion, and should not be taken as fact. |
How Long to Buy a Ticket
Paul Weaver wrote to uk.transport.london on Fri, 25 Mar 2005:
On Thu, 24 Mar 2005 13:20:18 +0000, Mrs Redboots wrote: But how often is there (a) a very long queue Always in peak and (b) ticket machines out of order? About 60% of the time one of them is out of order, about 30% of the time they are both out of order, at least at my local station. Pay by card? No choice but the ticket window. From your original posting, it sounded as though you only go there once in a blue moon..... If I know I'm going to travel, and suspect there will be a queue at the time of day I wish to go, I usually try to buy my ticket earlier in the day, or even the previous day. And, of course, for many journeys, buying in advance is a very great deal cheaper! Most people dont want to plan travel in advance. The beuaty of a car is "I need to travel, I travel". It's only on very long distance trips, mainly airplanes, that people buy well in advance. For daily and weekly tasks people travel spontaneously. I think you'll find that those going on longer-distance rail journeys now buy their tickets in advance, since, just like on an aeroplane, it is a lot cheaper to do so (business travellers funding the rest of us, as per usual). For local trips, of course, a Travelcard suffices.... -- "Mrs Redboots" http://www.amsmyth.demon.co.uk/ Website updated 20 March 2005 |
How Long to Buy a Ticket
Mrs Redboots typed
I think you'll find that those going on longer-distance rail journeys now buy their tickets in advance, since, just like on an aeroplane, it is a lot cheaper to do so (business travellers funding the rest of us, as per usual). For local trips, of course, a Travelcard suffices.... Watford Junction is outside Zone 6 (but a bus pass will get you there on a 142 or 258) and 8.5 miles from here. It's hardly the sort of place I'd pop to get a ticket. Getting tickets online require several days to allow for the post... -- Helen D. Vecht: Edgware. |
How Long to Buy a Ticket
"Mrs Redboots" wrote in message
... About 60% of the time one of them is out of order, about 30% of the time they are both out of order, at least at my local station. Pay by card? No choice but the ticket window. From your original posting, it sounded as though you only go there once in a blue moon..... I wasn't the OP, just my experience at Twyford (earlier you wrote) If I know I'm going to travel, and suspect there will be a queue at the time of day I wish to go, I usually try to buy my ticket earlier in the day, or even the previous day. And, of course, for many journeys, buying in advance is a very great deal cheaper! (then wrote) I think you'll find that those going on longer-distance rail journeys now buy their tickets in advance, since, just like on an aeroplane, it is a lot cheaper to do so (business travellers funding the rest of us, as per usual). For local trips, of course, a Travelcard suffices.... For those in London that travel regularly. As for longer distance, do you have any authorative figures to back up your absurd statement? Regardless, what "cheap tickets" can you pick up by going to the station the previous day or a few hours in advance? Why would you spend an hour goign to the station and back just to buy tickets? Perhaps if 1) Local stations had fastticket machines 2) They worked and didn't run out of tickets 3) If the f.t. machine wasn't working you could pick your ticket up with minimal hastle from the ticket office, or on board 4) You had a guarenteed time your ticket wil be available, not (after paying for it), getting an email stating Unfortunately due to a technical fault you will not be able to use this for the next 2-5 hours. Then you might have a situation where people will buy things like CDRs in advance. |
How Long to Buy a Ticket
Paul Weaver wrote to uk.transport.london on Fri, 25 Mar 2005:
"Mrs Redboots" wrote in message ... About 60% of the time one of them is out of order, about 30% of the time they are both out of order, at least at my local station. Pay by card? No choice but the ticket window. From your original posting, it sounded as though you only go there once in a blue moon..... I wasn't the OP, just my experience at Twyford The OP was talking about Watford Junction, I believe, which is in rather a different place! (earlier you wrote) If I know I'm going to travel, and suspect there will be a queue at the time of day I wish to go, I usually try to buy my ticket earlier in the day, or even the previous day. And, of course, for many journeys, buying in advance is a very great deal cheaper! (then wrote) I think you'll find that those going on longer-distance rail journeys now buy their tickets in advance, since, just like on an aeroplane, it is a lot cheaper to do so (business travellers funding the rest of us, as per usual). For local trips, of course, a Travelcard suffices.... For those in London that travel regularly. As for longer distance, do you have any authorative figures to back up your absurd statement? Go to www.nationalrail.com or www.thetrainline.com and check fares there. ITYF that it is very far from absurd. Say I wanted to travel to York to see my daughter - if I was able to book a week in advance, I might be able to travel for as little as £37.50 - a standard open return is £144.00. Regardless, what "cheap tickets" can you pick up by going to the station the previous day or a few hours in advance? Why would you spend an hour goign to the station and back just to buy tickets? To save over £100 I would - wouldn't you???? -- "Mrs Redboots" http://www.amsmyth.demon.co.uk/ Website updated 20 March 2005 |
How Long to Buy a Ticket
"Mrs Redboots" wrote in message
... I think you'll find that those going on longer-distance rail journeys now buy their tickets in advance, since, just like on an aeroplane, it is a lot cheaper to do so (business travellers funding the rest of us, as per usual). Depends what you mean by long-distance. Last week I went for a day-trip to Ramsgate. I didn't buy the ticket in advance as I'd have wasted £20 if I had woken up and decided I couldn't be bothered to go out. Not long ago I had cause to go to York, and had to buy my ticket in advance due to needing to make a cycle reservation for part of the journey. Apart from having to travel five miles to collect my tickets, being committed to certain trains and times was highly inconvenient. |
How Long to Buy a Ticket
On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 14:21:41 +0000, Mrs Redboots wrote:
About 60% of the time one of them is out of order, about 30% of the time they are both out of order, at least at my local station. Pay by card? No choice but the ticket window. From your original posting, it sounded as though you only go there once in a blue moon..... I wasn't the OP, just my experience at Twyford The OP was talking about Watford Junction, I believe, which is in rather a different place! It's a train station. Sure Watford might have 10 times the ticket windows and 10 times the machines, but it also has 10 times the customers. The fact is ticket machines, even at staffed stations, can't be relied on. Go to www.nationalrail.com or www.thetrainline.com and check fares there. ITYF that it is very far from absurd. Say I wanted to travel to York to see my daughter - if I was able to book a week in advance, I might be able to travel for as little as £37.50 - a standard open return is £144.00. Off peak (including Friday nights and all weekend - which it the time most people will travel for leisure), A saver is £70 (£45 with a railcard). Apex singles are £40, although in this case GNER do TOC-only deals on more limited trains then savers, for £37, a maximum saving of arround £30, but you lose the flexibility (work late on the friday night? You're screwed) Regardless, what "cheap tickets" can you pick up by going to the station the previous day or a few hours in advance? Why would you spend an hour goign to the station and back just to buy tickets? To save over £100 I would - wouldn't you???? £30, not £100. -- Everything I write here is my personal opinion, and should not be taken as fact. |
How Long to Buy a Ticket
"Paul Weaver" wrote in message
.. . On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 14:21:41 +0000, Mrs Redboots wrote: About 60% of the time one of them is out of order, about 30% of the time they are both out of order, at least at my local station. Pay by card? No choice but the ticket window. Go to www.nationalrail.com or www.thetrainline.com and check fares there. ITYF that it is very far from absurd. Say I wanted to travel to York to see my daughter - if I was able to book a week in advance, I might be able to travel for as little as £37.50 - a standard open return is £144.00. Off peak (including Friday nights and all weekend - which it the time most people will travel for leisure), A saver is £70 (£45 with a railcard). Apex singles are £40, although in this case GNER do TOC-only deals on more limited trains then savers, for £37, a maximum saving of arround £30, but you lose the flexibility (work late on the friday night? You're screwed) Regardless, what "cheap tickets" can you pick up by going to the station the previous day or a few hours in advance? Why would you spend an hour goign to the station and back just to buy tickets? To save over £100 I would - wouldn't you???? £30, not £100. It's a sad endictment on the current state of our rail system that TOCs are allowed to levy such as wide range of fares for the same journey. If we take the £37.50 fare as the baseline, the saver has a surcharge of 87% and the standard open has a surcharge of 285%. If I was faced with restrictions that tied me to travelling by a particular train, I'd say "Sod this for a so-called service - I'll drive it." |
How Long to Buy a Ticket
In message ,
Martin Underwood writes If I was faced with restrictions that tied me to travelling by a particular train, I'd say "Sod this for a so-called service - I'll drive it." Which is one of the reasons I *sometimes* travel West Midlands - London by train, instead of *always* travelling West Midlands - London by train. In recent weeks the same has been true for: Birmingham - Lincoln Birmingham - York Birmingham - Bristol Birmingham - Winchester In each case I was unable to plan ahead and would have had to pay very many more times the cost in petrol/depreciation/effort to drive in order to go by train. :-( -- Ian Jelf, MITG Birmingham, UK Registered Blue Badge Tourist Guide for London and the Heart of England http://www.bluebadge.demon.co.uk |
How Long to Buy a Ticket
On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 18:18:06 -0000, Martin Underwood wrote:
If I was faced with restrictions that tied me to travelling by a particular train, I'd say "Sod this for a so-called service - I'll drive it." And how many cars can you choose from? -- http://gallery120232.fotopic.net/p9633053.html (47 568 hurrying through Shenfield in 1981) |
How Long to Buy a Ticket
On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 23:13:00 +0000, Chris Tolley wrote:
On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 18:18:06 -0000, Martin Underwood wrote: If I was faced with restrictions that tied me to travelling by a particular train, I'd say "Sod this for a so-called service - I'll drive it." And how many cars can you choose from? In most cases, just one, it goes the second you want to go. If you decide to go an hour later, the car will still be there. Of course, you dont get the inconvienience of sharing your car with a bunch of drunks eaching smelly food either. -- Everything I write here is my personal opinion, and should not be taken as fact. |
How Long to Buy a Ticket
Paul Weaver wrote to uk.transport.london on Sun, 27 Mar 2005:
On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 23:13:00 +0000, Chris Tolley wrote: On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 18:18:06 -0000, Martin Underwood wrote: If I was faced with restrictions that tied me to travelling by a particular train, I'd say "Sod this for a so-called service - I'll drive it." And how many cars can you choose from? In most cases, just one, it goes the second you want to go. If you decide to go an hour later, the car will still be there. What happens if you can't drive? Not all of us can, you know...... -- "Mrs Redboots" http://www.amsmyth.demon.co.uk/ Website updated 20 March 2005 |
How Long to Buy a Ticket
On Tue, 29 Mar 2005 11:27:22 +0100, Mrs Redboots wrote:
Paul Weaver wrote to uk.transport.london on Sun, 27 Mar 2005: On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 23:13:00 +0000, Chris Tolley wrote: On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 18:18:06 -0000, Martin Underwood wrote: If I was faced with restrictions that tied me to travelling by a particular train, I'd say "Sod this for a so-called service - I'll drive it." And how many cars can you choose from? In most cases, just one, it goes the second you want to go. If you decide to go an hour later, the car will still be there. What happens if you can't drive? Not all of us can, you know...... Then you can take a taxi, or a train. Its not my a drivers fault you can't drive, yet they get peanalised for it. Martin Underwood can drive, he has the choice of scumfilled busses, expensive convoluted trains or the comfort of his car. Which should he choose? -- Everything I write here is my personal opinion, and should not be taken as fact. |
How Long to Buy a Ticket
Paul Weaver wrote to uk.transport.london on Tue, 29 Mar 2005:
Then you can take a taxi, or a train. Its not my a drivers fault you can't drive, yet they get peanalised for it. Martin Underwood can drive, he has the choice of scumfilled busses, expensive convoluted trains or the comfort of his car. As you obviously never use public transport, how do you know what buses are like? I use them daily, and usually find them to be filled with charming, interesting human beings. -- "Mrs Redboots" http://www.amsmyth.demon.co.uk/ Website updated 20 March 2005 |
How Long to Buy a Ticket
"Mrs Redboots" wrote in message
... Paul Weaver wrote to uk.transport.london on Tue, 29 Mar 2005: Then you can take a taxi, or a train. Its not my a drivers fault you can't drive, yet they get peanalised for it. Martin Underwood can drive, he has the choice of scumfilled busses, expensive convoluted trains or the comfort of his car. As you obviously never use public transport, how do you know what buses are like? I use them daily, and usually find them to be filled with charming, interesting human beings. I use public transport every day, train and tube. I rarely use busses as they are full of scum. A peak-time return is about 50p/mile on trains, even more on the tube. -- Everything above is the personal opinion of the author, and nothing to do with where he works and all that lovely disclaimery stuff. Posted in his lunch hour too. |
How Long to Buy a Ticket
Paul Weaver wrote to uk.transport.london on Fri, 1 Apr 2005:
I use public transport every day, train and tube. I rarely use busses as they are full of scum. A peak-time return is about 50p/mile on trains, even more on the tube. And a lot less on the buses - which are, as I said, usually filled with interesting and charming people, often very young, whose heartaches, noisily expressed to their peers, either directly or via their mobile telephones, make me smile discreetly to myself.... -- "Mrs Redboots" http://www.amsmyth.demon.co.uk/ Website updated 20 March 2005 |
How Long to Buy a Ticket
Paul Weaver wrote: About 60% of the time one of them is out of order, about 30% of the time they are both out of order, at least at my local station. Pay by card? No choice but the ticket window. KX last week "Sorry there are no tickets available to that destination, please choose another destination or buy a ticket from the ticket office" (and I was going to Peterborough). Other machine held my card for a few minutes before saying that due to a fault I should try another machine Other machine wouldn't sell an Open Return Good job I didn't queue for 20 mins at each of these useless machines |
How Long to Buy a Ticket
Mrs Redboots wrote: Go to www.nationalrail.com or www.thetrainline.com and check fares there. ITYF that it is very far from absurd. Say I wanted to travel to York to see my daughter - if I was able to book a week in advance, I might be able to travel for as little as £37.50 - a standard open return is £144.00. Or a saver for £69 Regardless, what "cheap tickets" can you pick up by going to the station the previous day or a few hours in advance? Why would you spend an hour goign to the station and back just to buy tickets? To save over £100 I would - wouldn't you???? Assuming you were off to see your daughter you could well be flexible enough to travel off peak and go for £69 walk up fare in which case it's less of a saving but still a decent saving. For more local journeys it wouldn't be quite so much of a saving (probably less than the tube fare to the nearest railway station which is able / willing to sell a super advance) |
How Long to Buy a Ticket
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How Long to Buy a Ticket
Dave Hillam wrote: wrote in uk.transport.london on 1 Apr 2005 09:38:28 -0800 ups.com: Good job I didn't queue for 20 mins at each of these useless machines I've never, ever, experienced a queue to use a ticket machine at the main booking office at Kings Cross. -- It's the ones in the main office that only sell savers for WAGN but I agree there are plenty of them. |
How Long to Buy a Ticket
Paul Weaver wrote:
"Mrs Redboots" wrote in message ... Paul Weaver wrote to uk.transport.london on Tue, 29 Mar 2005: Then you can take a taxi, or a train. Its not my a drivers fault you can't drive, yet they get peanalised for it. Martin Underwood can drive, he has the choice of scumfilled busses, expensive convoluted trains or the comfort of his car. As you obviously never use public transport, how do you know what buses are like? I use them daily, and usually find them to be filled with charming, interesting human beings. I use public transport every day, train and tube. I rarely use busses as they are full of scum. Buses (note spelling) are *not* full of scum in my experience, and I resent the implied insult. I have seen more uncivilised behaviour on the tube than on buses. Where and when has been your "rare" experience of buses? -- Richard J. (to e-mail me, swap uk and yon in address) |
How Long to Buy a Ticket
"Richard J." wrote in message
. .. Buses (note spelling) are *not* full of scum in my experience, and I resent the implied insult. I have seen more uncivilised behaviour on the tube than on buses. Where and when has been your "rare" experience of buses? Recently? 49, several buses along Kensingont High Street, Ealing - Shepherds bush 207? The slow one), 72, 220 |
How Long to Buy a Ticket
"Mrs Redboots" wrote in message
... Paul Weaver wrote to uk.transport.london on Fri, 1 Apr 2005: I use public transport every day, train and tube. I rarely use busses as they are full of scum. A peak-time return is about 50p/mile on trains, even more on the tube. And a lot less on the buses - which are, as I said, usually filled with interesting and charming people, often very young, whose heartaches, noisily expressed to their peers, either directly or via their mobile telephones, make me smile discreetly to myself.... One thing worse than scum and thats evesdroppers. No doubt you read newspapers over peoples shoulders too. As for price, buses are obviously cheaper, as they are full of scum, but more than that, they are way too slow, It's faster in a car than a bus, even ignoring door-door, and that's saying something. They stop every 50 yards for some lazy scumbag druggie to get off and buy their crack or dope or whatever. -- Everything above is the personal opinion of the author, and nothing to do with where he works and all that lovely disclaimery stuff. Posted in his lunch hour too. |
How Long to Buy a Ticket
Paul Weaver ) gurgled happily, sounding much like
they were saying : One thing worse than scum and thats evesdroppers. Sod that. If a conversation's confidential, the bus/tube isn't the place for it. Or turn the volume down a bit. No doubt you read newspapers over peoples shoulders too. Where's the problem in that? |
How Long to Buy a Ticket
Paul Weaver wrote to uk.transport.london on Tue, 5 Apr 2005:
One thing worse than scum and thats evesdroppers. No doubt you read newspapers over peoples shoulders too. You are confusing overhearing with eavesdropping. And anyway, since, according to you, the buses are full of "lazy scumbag druggies", how could I possibly be reading a newspaper over someone's shoulder, since if I *were* what you say I am, I wouldn't be able to read????? As for price, buses are obviously cheaper, as they are full of scum, but more than that, they are way too slow, It's faster in a car than a bus, even ignoring door-door, and that's saying something. They stop every 50 yards for some lazy scumbag druggie to get off and buy their crack or dope or whatever. I totally and utterly resent the implication in that last remark. -- "Mrs Redboots" http://www.amsmyth.demon.co.uk/ Website updated 3 April 2005 |
How Long to Buy a Ticket
Paul Weaver wrote to uk.transport.london on Tue, 5 Apr 2005:
"Richard J." wrote in message ... Buses (note spelling) are *not* full of scum in my experience, and I resent the implied insult. I have seen more uncivilised behaviour on the tube than on buses. Where and when has been your "rare" experience of buses? Recently? 49, several buses along Kensingont High Street, Ealing - Shepherds bush 207? The slow one), 72, 220 Okay, so, how many people were on each bus? Of those, how many did you see using drugs? How many? Exactly, please. How do you know the elderly ladies travelling to their church fellowship meetings had handbags stuffed full to the brim of crack cocaine? Did you see the pot poking out from under the baby in the pushchair, or the schoolbags of his brother and sister, or their tired mother's shopping bag? What other incidences, apart from drug misuse, of anti-social behaviour did you see? Or were the people on the bus just not "people like me", so you automatically assumed that they were "scumbag druggies" to quote your other post? Please post details of the anti-social behaviour you saw, the people committing it, and whether or not you reported them, as was your civic duty, to the police. And if not, why not? -- "Mrs Redboots" http://www.amsmyth.demon.co.uk/ Website updated 3 April 2005 |
How Long to Buy a Ticket
Mrs Redboots wrote: Or were the people on the bus just not "people like me", so you automatically assumed that they were "scumbag druggies" to quote your other post? If you want to see another example of this sort of behaviour (and that time it was tolerated) see: http://groups-beta.google.com/group/...?q=chav&rnum=1 The topic on uk.railway: Chav filled raliway stations |
How Long to Buy a Ticket
"Adrian" wrote in message
44.170... Paul Weaver ) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying : One thing worse than scum and thats evesdroppers. Sod that. If a conversation's confidential, the bus/tube isn't the place for it. Or turn the volume down a bit. Yet another reason private transport is better No doubt you read newspapers over peoples shoulders too. Where's the problem in that? It's rude -- Everything above is the personal opinion of the author, and nothing to do with where he works and all that lovely disclaimery stuff. Posted in his lunch hour too. |
How Long to Buy a Ticket
Paul Weaver ) gurgled happily, sounding much like
they were saying : No doubt you read newspapers over peoples shoulders too. Where's the problem in that? It's rude How so? |
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