NoMorePacers
Established Member
A Merseyrail Day Ticket barely scrapes above the mark at £5.80.
Plenty of times when standard's close to being full, I've seen a first class ticket to be cheaper than the standard, even if only by a few pounds. Thing is, IIRC on the Virgin search engine you can select "standard" thus you never get to see that first class could be cheaper for the same train, and same rules (ie specific time). Not seen that for a while though, wonder if that anomaly's been removed?Some people have done Manchester - London - Manchester Airport for £7.60 in 1st class, due to an error with a service provider to Trainline misapplying an easement, though it was closed about a week ago, if that counts
Ah ok. I think @Starmill was thinking you were talking about on-the-day off-peak fares which are clearly not £25.The one I booked earlier today - for the 3rd Feb leaving 1015. Would have been £24 the day after. But it was less than that with my railcard, £16.50!
The £25 tickets are still available, I've just checked.
Most people have already paid for those though, and consider them as fixed costs
Some people have done Manchester - London - Manchester Airport for £7.60 in 1st class, due to an error with a service provider to Trainline misapplying an easement, though it was closed about a week ago, if that counts
I know that, you know that, many people commenting in this thread know that.They certainly are not though.
I don't see any Off Peak ticket available for that price. Off Peak (and Anytime or Ranger and Rover) tickets are comparable with car travel on routes where there is a frequent service (such as Manchester to London), because they are available immediately for immediate departure and to return at a range of different times. Like your car. Most other ticket types are not remotely comparable.The one I booked earlier today - for the 3rd Feb leaving 1015. Would have been £24 the day after. But it was less than that with my railcard, £16.50!
The £25 tickets are still available, I've just checked.
Right... but nearly everyone in this country has access to a car, and nearly nobody has a railcard? So I'm not sure this is relevant?This one is £22.45 for instance. You can get a return for only a few pounds more
http://www.brfares.com/#faredetail?orig=MAN&dest=EUS&rlc=YNG&rte=371&tkt=OPS
Claiming “nearly everyone” has a car is not accurate in relation to the OP. Granted, car ownership is considerable. However, having access to and owning a car and driving it are different scenarios. Out of people who do own a car, not everyone wants to drive everywhere for various reasons. Manchester to London specifically is a long journey that many would not opt to make by car despite the lower costRight... but nearly everyone in this country has access to a car, and nearly nobody has a railcard? So I'm not sure this is relevant?
Some people have done Manchester - London - Manchester Airport for £7.60 in 1st class, due to an error with a service provider to Trainline misapplying an easement, though it was closed about a week ago, if that counts
As for the articles, many people count the cost of motoring as the cost of fuel only (all other costs are considered to be zero). If they are comparing the cost of other modes, they will effectively be comparing fuel vs total costs.
Of course it is an absurd comparison but I am not sure if there could ever be any way to stop people making it!
It wouldn't be because VT never allow railcard users access to their sales.I got Preston to Glasgow £5.50 each way in March 2017 VT sale, so with a railcard it would have been £3.66
Wonder if those kind of offers will ever be repeated under the new order....
Think thta applies to many types of ranger/rover tickets; example the Northern 55 explorer for £15, I can't find any reductions for senior card holdersIt wouldn't be because VT never allow railcard users access to their sales.
A car costs the purchase, insurance, servicing, MOT and tax before you even touch the tank
If they are comparing the cost of other modes, they will effectively be comparing fuel vs total costs.
It might be true that most households have have access to a car. Do most people though ?
Second prize 100 journeys for £5 on NorthernNorthern had their 10p ticket sale in September. 50 journeys available for £5. Could shuttle back and forward, between say Leeds & Carlisle 25 times = 113*50=5650 miles.
I win .
That one was there for the taking. I salute you Busaholic.Second prize 100 journeys for £5 on Northern
Indeed.Second prize 100 journeys for £5 on Northern
Tell you what, now that I'm one of the approx 9,500 in England who are apparently able to be prescribed Sativex spray, derived from the cannabis plant, on the basis of being diagnosed with Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis, for which no other palliative medicine is available, I might, if I get a supply, take a chance on the journey, knowing it might perhaps kill me, but I'd be unaware. Can't be worse than a journey from Penzance to Paddington on one of the new comfort-free, amenity-free IETs run by GWR.Just out of interest - if some company grabbed a few pacers* and offered journeys from anywhere in the North (Leeds/Liverpool/Manchester) to London for a fiver - peak or off peak - would you take it?
*That company would not be allowed to update or refurbish them, or even have a trolley service; what you see is what you get, leaky roofs, screech, draughty doors, screech whirr... the FULL experience....
To be honest I don't even consider fuel costs if the tank is full(ish).I wonder who?
As for the car comparison, it depends if you already have a car or not. If you do, you are only going to consider fuel costs, as other stuff such as wear and tear, tyre wear, VED etc, are either sunk costs or insignificant for a single journey.
However if you don't already have a car, and make regular journeys then these are valid costs to consider
Just out of interest - if some company grabbed a few pacers* and offered journeys from anywhere in the North (Leeds/Liverpool/Manchester) to London for a fiver - peak or off peak - would you take it?
A Sunday afternoon on Buckshaw Parkway would be perfect for you then!!To be honest on my days off I don’t want to be anywhere near a train