Wigan/london season ticket

[WCML TRAVELLER]

I am self employed & have a lot of work coming up near Euston - I do use the WC once a week and have done for several years. However - I am looking at trialling a 1 or 2 month season ticket (1st class) from Wigan NW to EUS and probably making 18 return journeys a month - using 1st class on the basis I get fed both ways whilst on the move etc. Not an insignificant amount (£2k per month) (Looking at using the 0708 service out & 1730 back)

Do any/many users travel between London & the North West Stations on such a regular basis? If so, how do you find the travel etc? Any other thoughts/comment would be greatly appreciated

Can I split a season ticket? I noticed it works out slightly cheaper breaking at Crewe but the above services don't stop there, so i suspect this is a non starter.
BTW by doing this I get to see the family (a little) in the week rather than just at weekends etc

 

[yorkie]

Welcome to the forum.

Can I split a season ticket? I noticed it works out slightly cheaper breaking at Crewe but the above services don't stop there, so i suspect this is a non starter.

You may combine 2 or more tickets for one journey, but in the case of 2 x Season tickets, the train would have to call at the station where you change from one ticket to the other.

On the other hand, if you had one Season ticket (e.g. between Crewe & London), and bought (a) single/return ticket(s) for the rest of your journey between Wigan & Crewe, then the train would NOT need to call anywhere.

I know at least one other member of this forum who regularly travels this route in 1st class, I will ask him if he can answer your other questions

 

[All Line Rover]

I tend to use the Manchester to Euston services, in both First and Standard class. A couple of observations based on my experiences are:

(1) The trains are regularly late. Delays are rarely within the control of Virgin, but nonetheless frustrating. You wouldn't want to rely on their services for a daily commute, though if you are travelling only a few days per week, you may find it sufficient for your needs.

(2) The food offered is very poor. The servings are small and the quality is mediocre. If you have anything of an appetite you will be hungry once you arrive in London and hungry once you arrive back home. Unlike First Great Western and East Midlands Trains, Virgin don't have the option of paying extra for quality food (and a substantial amount of it).

(3) First Class is very spacious and tends to have many seats available. It is easy to get work done, if that is what you wish to do, especially as there is a First Class 'Quiet Coach'.

(4) There is free alcohol. This appeals to some people.

(5) The First Class lounge at Euston is awful. A dark, dingy place that is not worth visiting. I hear it is being refurbished soon so it may improve (though note it will be closed during the refurbishment).

(6) Standard Class can be just as enjoyable as First Class if you reserve a table in the Quiet Coach (in particular, seats 21, 22, 27 or 28). It can be just as quiet as First Class, you still have space to work and a power socket (thanks to the table) and you can bring as much of whatever food you wish!

A couple of thoughts about your specific journey would be:

(1) There is no First Class lounge at Wigan North Western, which could cause annoyance during delays.

(2) Some services to/from Wigan North Western are run by Voyagers. There is only 1 small First Class coach on Voyagers. I would avoid these services.

(3) If you wanted two meals you could always travel on one service to Crewe, followed by another service to Euston, though this would result in a slightly extended journey time (and a rushed meal between Wigan and Crewe).

(4) A Wigan to London season ticket would allow you to travel to Birmingham, Manchester (probably), Liverpool (probably) and other intermediate stations at no extra cost.

(5) Virgin have operated a Delay Repay scheme since April, so you would be able to claim compensation when delayed by 30 minutes or more.

And, in general, it is always worth considering hotels such as Premier Inn, which offer clean, quiet and centrally located rooms at prices that are often lower than taking the train.

 

[westv]

Not sure how different the journeys are but I commute from Hull to London twice a week and the thought of doing it more than that would fill me with dread.