Wasn't suggesting otherwise. Obviously I wasn't saying it like it was a law of physics. As my very next sentence says "Long distance driving isn't for everyone" - i.e. some people prefer the train.That is highly debatable.
A lot less people have cars in London, so it's not an option for many. It's also 7 hours, significantly longer than rail and air. With average mpg, and assuming you are filling up at non motorway petrol stations, you're shelling out about £70-80 each way. Plus city center parking for multiple nights.Assuming they can drive, yes. If they can, why wouldn't they just do the whole journey to Edinburgh in the car?
A lot less people have cars in London, so it's not an option for many. It's also 7 hours, significantly longer than rail and air. With average mpg, and assuming you are filling up at non motorway petrol stations, you're shelling out about £70-80 each way. Plus city center parking for multiple nights.
The aeroplane service also works properly on a Sunday, doesn’t take longer than other days nor dumps you into a bus.The Rail Delivery Group is not fit for purpose.. and is just another quango.
Remember if youre not happy with the train service to work, get a closer job.
All I will say is most people's airline horror stories are quite a bit worse than rail ones. There are benefits and disadvantages to both.dumps you into a bus
It’s not a case of horror stories, both modes suffer from unplanned disruption. The problem with the railways is they have a lot of planned disruption, especially on a Sunday.All I will say is most people's airline horror stories are quite a bit worse than rail ones. There are benefits and disadvantages to both.
Yes although my point is when things go wrong with airlines, they tend to go more wrong. The service in airlines does still very day to day.It’s not a case of horror stories, both modes suffer from unplanned disruption. The problem with the railways is they have a lot of planned disruption, especially on a Sunday.
Airlines also don’t issue penalty fares (though perhaps Ryanair might be considered borderline) and rarely threaten to take their customers to court.
The aeroplane service also works properly on a Sunday, doesn’t take longer than other days nor dumps you into a bus.
Airlines, UK ones at least, don’t keep going on strike.
An hour in an aeroplane seat is preferable to 4 or 5 hours in a cramped hard standard class seat.
It’s not a case of horror stories, both modes suffer from unplanned disruption. The problem with the railways is they have a lot of planned disruption, especially on a Sunday.
Airlines also don’t issue penalty fares (though perhaps Ryanair might be considered borderline) and rarely threaten to take their customers to court.
All I will say is most people's airline horror stories are quite a bit worse than rail ones. There are benefits and disadvantages to both.
I can think of a number of people I know who have been penalty fared for actual fare evasion. The number of people I know who have got one for an honest mistake is slim. What do you suggest is the alternative? Everyone can fare evade?Don‘t underestimate the negative effect of things like penalty fares. News of a friend of a friend getting one on top of an otherwise few pounds fare soon travels and infrequent travellers decide to look elsewhere.
I’m not making any suggestions, I’m pointing out perceptions. It’s up to the railway to solve its problems. I would point out that penalty fares in their current guise are a relatively new phenomenon.I can think of a number of people I know who have been penalty fared for actual fare evasion. The number of people I know who have got one for an honest mistake is slim. What do you suggest is the alternative? Everyone can fare evade?
But a response to an increase in fare evasion. Short of checking every ticket on the train door there are relatively few solutions. Others have down to be ineffective.I’m not making any suggestions, I’m pointing out perceptions. It’s up to the railway to solve its problems. I would point out that penalty fares in their current guise are a relatively new phenomenon.
I'm surprised they are still promoting it.This has just dropped on RDG's LinkedIn so we'll see how that goes with frequent business travellers.
During recent storms didn’t EasyJet end up diverting Scotland - London flights to Paris, where the passengers had to remain overnight? As you say, these issues certainly aren’t exclusive to the railway.
In my opinion most of these issues aren’t limited to the railway though.I did have a very severe delay (4.5 hours) recently, but I've had very few in my lifetime. Fewer than 10 certainly.
What I have had lots of is mildly unsatisfactory journeys. Unenforced quiet zones, unenforced or undisplayed seat reservations, sloppy delays, failed aircon, rude staff, collapsed seat cushions, dirty trains etc, and all typically at an unreasonably expensive fare. The railway does really need to do better.
In fairness, neither do the Anglo-Scottish TOCs, with the exception of TPE.It’s not a case of horror stories, both modes suffer from unplanned disruption. The problem with the railways is they have a lot of planned disruption, especially on a Sunday.
Airlines also don’t issue penalty fares (though perhaps Ryanair might be considered borderline) and rarely threaten to take their customers to court.
My point wasn’t that people don’t get arrested, but the bar to be arrested is pretty much the same as in any other aspect of life. It is a fair bit lower to get in trouble at an airport/on a plane.And as for the comment below yours about misbehaving, people clearly do get arrested on the railway for misbehaving or else the British Transport Police wouldn't have cause to exist.
Fair. That's true on all counts.My point wasn’t that people don’t get arrested, but the bar to be arrested is pretty much the same as in any other aspect of life. It is a fair bit lower to get in trouble at an airport/on a plane.
The rail industry misses the income from those business travellers who will think nothing about paying for a full fat anytime return as they charge it as expenses.
Airlines don’t even have quiet zones, and at least they normally save you from the likes of crying babies. I’ve had plenty of delays on airlines.
At least on a train there is more potential to move away from the likes of a crying baby or a someone playing videos out loud on a train than on a plane.Putting up with a crying baby or similar for an hour is rather different than for four hours though.