Rail delays - can the train really take the strain?

LStacey writes on September 09, 2011 3:15 PM
5

Are rail delays driving you mad too?

I catch the train to London for work every day and it's probably fair to say that due to a break down, signal failure, station closure or some other rail disruption that I'm significantly late to work at least once every two weeks. On top of the constant frustration of delays, there's the price of tickets... oh don't get me started on train ticket prices!

According to the Office Of Rail Regulation's National rail trends yearbook, trains are doing pretty well at the moment with 90.9% of trains on time in the 2010-11 period. Sounds OK, doesn't it?

Bear in mind that the given statistic is an average figure for all times of day and that most rail problems and broken trains occur during the busiest times, the times that most folk are heading to work! Also worth considering is the fact that these measurements are against what rail companies call the "plan of the day" which although usually the same as original timetable listings, can differ due to planned delays/cancellations of the kind caused by snow fall the night before. Yes, that's right, all those cancelled trains we suffered during the snow days of winter 2010-11 weren't measured. That means things are actually worse than they would have you believe. Of course, there's no surprise there!

Seeing as I'm in rant mode, I will talk about ticket prices too! As it stands, I currently pay around £4,000 per year for the privelege of sometimes getting a seat in a cramped train that has a high probability of not getting me to my destination on time. Everyone says I "must be mad" to waste so much time and money on trains and you know what? I think they're right!

I think it might be time to book my free ride... what do you think?

I'd be interested to hear from those of you that have taken to two wheels as a result of rail frustration.

How much time and/or money have you or could you save?

User comments

monpjc
monpjc on 09/09/2011 at 4:31pm said:
Having passed my car test some 20+ years ago I have felt the pain on constantly increasing petrol prices as well as insurance etc. So three years ago when I was paying £2,500pa to run my car to and from work, only 12 miles away, I started looking for a better solution. Having passed my test so long ago I was able to purchase and ride a 50cc scooter without the need of L plates or to take a CBT. The first year and 10,000 mile I did was a real experience in a good way. In that first year I saved £1,500 meaning I paid back the cost of the bike and gear I needed. I went to work in all weathers, sun, wind, rain, and yes even snow! I loved that bike. But the 50cc was getting worn out with all that lugging a 14stone guy to work each day at 30mph – so I took my CBT and hopped on a Honda CG125. A year later I passed my bike test and still come to work on it every day, wind, rain, sun and snow! I still save lots of money and my running cost in now around £800pa and this includes everything from petrol to insurance, tax and MOTs etc. Its still the best part of my day in many ways. The rain and snow may not be great and you can even get a little sweaty in the summer but I love the freedom. I also love the free parking in town, never getting stuck in traffic jams which means I’m home the same time every night to see my kids. I would fully recommend giving it a go!