[MattE2010]

Originally Posted by bkhtele

In my opinion Northern Ireland needs a strategic rail link to Scotland & England. For the size of the greater Belfast population alone there should be a rail altnative to flying. I support keep the Stranraer line

Aye, however the trouble with that is that Britain works off 4ft 8.5in gauge, NI and the Republic work off 5ft 3in, so unless you want to cost to soar beyond possibility, you'll still need a change, either at Stranraer or Larne. Good to see though, I'd fully support it; I think it was once proposed around 1900.

[Greenback]

Originally Posted by Bruce Warren

There's a news item on the Transport Scotland website today that they are going
to be dropping the Stranraer-Ayr and Glasgow return rail fares during August and September
as a promotion.

It'll be interesting to see what happens.

This is to be welcomed. I just hope it is a trial, that it will be well supported, and that lower fares will be introduced permanently as a result.

I must be feeling particularly optimistic this evening!

[Bruce Warren]

From time to time a rail bridge/tunnel from Portpatrick to Larne is proposed, but
nothing comes of it.

Personally I suspect the cost of any such bridge/tunnel would far outstrip the cost of
regauging the track from Larne to Belfast to standard gauge.

[tbtc]

Originally Posted by D6975

There are stupid fares all over the place - take a look at Cheltenham - Brum.

Roughly the same distance as Q St - Waverley, but an off peak return is £22.30.

In the other direction, Chelt - TM, again roughly the same distance is £8.20 off peak!!

Exactly.

There are generally always cheaper journeys (in terms of pence per mile) that people can use (when trying to make their local fare seem overpriced) - given the distances involved I really don't think that Stranraer's fares are very expensive.

Yes, cheaper fares would attract more people (just like on any line) but I think that the times are a bigger issue - if you had a more regularly spaced service to Ayrshire then I think that'd be more beneficial than cutting fares for the hundred-ish people who use the line to Stranraer each day.

[Greenback]

Originally Posted by tbtc

Yes, cheaper fares would attract more people (just like on any line) but I think that the times are a bigger issue - if you had a more regularly spaced service to Ayrshire then I think that'd be more beneficial than cutting fares for the hundred-ish people who use the line to Stranraer each day.

I still think it needs both an imporvement to times and a reassessment of the pricing strategy.

As an aside, are there Advance tickets available to encourage travel? ATW recently introduced these types of tickets for the first time from places like Fishguard and Haverfordwest to Cardiff.

[bkhtele]

Originally Posted by Greenback

I still think it needs both an imporvement to times and a reassessment of the pricing strategy.

As an aside, are there Advance tickets available to encourage travel? ATW recently introduced these types of tickets for the first time from places like Fishguard and Haverfordwest to Cardiff.

£16.10 single seems the best I can find

[johnnychips]

Originally Posted by bkhtele

£16.10 single seems the best I can find

From Fishguard to Cardiff or Stranraer to Glasgow?

[harz99]

Originally Posted by Bruce Warren

There's a news item on the Transport Scotland website today that they are going
to be dropping the Stranraer-Ayr and Glasgow return rail fares during August and September
as a promotion.

It'll be interesting to see what happens.

I think people need to read this news item VERY carefully. The way it is worded is ambiguous, it looks like it could be a promotion for travel from Glasgow/Ayr to Stranraer in that direction only - if this is the case an even more unfair fare!!

[HSTEd]

Originally Posted by MattE2010

Aye, however the trouble with that is that Britain works off 4ft 8.5in gauge, NI and the Republic work off 5ft 3in, so unless you want to cost to soar beyond possibility, you'll still need a change, either at Stranraer or Larne. Good to see though, I'd fully support it; I think it was once proposed around 1900.

There are those talgo trainsets that can change between Standard and Iberian gauge on-the-fly as can be seen here. Apparently they have also designed mechanisms that can do standard to 5'3" (Irish gauge).

It would be obscenely expensive though, but I am sort of the opinion that this is the sort of project that should be pursued even if the business case is not the best. It provides numerous social and environmental benefits in both Scotland and Northern Ireland.

[bkhtele]

Originally Posted by bkhtele

£16.10 single seems the best I can find

Stranraer to Glasgow

[PaxVobiscum]

Originally Posted by Bruce Warren

There's a news item on the Transport Scotland website today that they are going
to be dropping the Stranraer-Ayr and Glasgow return rail fares during August and September
as a promotion.

It'll be interesting to see what happens.

The promotion starts tomorrow 4th August: http://www.scotrail.co.uk/stranraer

Stranraer Rail Travel Offer

Travel to Stranraer with our great value rail offer

Glasgow to Stranraer for only £15 return
Ayr to Stranraer for only £7.50 return

With these great fares, there has never been a better time to visit Stranraer. Plus, by taking the train, you can sit back, relax and enjoy some of the most tranquil valleys and serene coastlines in Scotland. Click here for more information about what you can see on the way to Stranraer.
About the offer
Which routes can I travel on?

This offer is available on the following routes:

Glasgow Central or Paisley Gilmour Street to Stranraer £15 return
Ayr / Maybole / Girvan or Barhill to Stranraer £7.50 return

Buy your promotional tickets to Stranraer

Click here to buy your tickets today. Promotional tickets are also available from staffed rail stations or by calling ScotRail Telesales direct on 08457 55 00 33.

When can I travel?

Outward travel is valid between 4 August and 30 September 2012 inclusive.
Return travel is valid for up to one month from the date shown on the outward portion of the ticket.
Promotional tickets are valid for travel anytime, any day of the week. (However please note that the connecting bus service picking up from Stranraer station will only operate on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays)
Promotional tickets are not subject to availability and do not need to be booked in advance.
Reservations are not required however customers can reserve a seat on reservable services on request.
Tickets are available to purchase in advance although travel is not valid until 4 August 2012.

Are there any time restrictions?

No, you can travel on any train within the dates stated above

Do discounts apply?

Children aged 5-15 can travel for £2 when accompanied with an adult who purchases a promotional ticket. Under 5s travel free on all ScotRail services.
No further railcard or concessionary discounts apply

Can I get a refund?

A full refund is available on unused tickets before the date of outward travel, subject to a £10 administration fee.

[bkhtele]

Was at Stranraer station about 9.30pm on Friday 27/7, last train had gone only a late arrival due. Very quiet station, clean and tidy has lots of potential, very sad
Only person around was a friendly drunk, didn't see any security, they have slightly improved access from the town. Leaving an abandoned scrap of land opposite the park. Should have made Stena plant it out as an extension to the park in lieu of planning permission for new terminal. Too late.

Was looking at old timetables from 1930's somehow they managed crowds of people off boat trains which arrived 10 minutes before the boat left. So much for improvements!

[starrymarkb]

Thing is Passenger Ferries are in decline. Freight is where the money is.

[Greenback]

Originally Posted by bkhtele

Was looking at old timetables from 1930's somehow they managed crowds of people off boat trains which arrived 10 minutes before the boat left. So much for improvements!

No passport checks, no security controls, no computerised bureaucracy?

[tbtc]

Originally Posted by starrymarkb

Thing is Passenger Ferries are in decline. Freight is where the money is.

Yup - no Ryanair to worry about in the 1930s