The only time I have found rail a worthwhile service is in commuting into centre of large cities or urban areas.
I live in a county town with a population of ~80,000 with a mainline rail station. I am about 1.5 miles from the station - walk is 30 mins, taxi 10 mins, car and park 12 mins. No cost of walking. Taxi is ~£7 each way. Parking depends on length of stay - but say ~£10.
Two journeys I may often take.
The first to a larger city ~ 35 miles distant. At random for travel on 1st June - fare (peak or off peak) is £22 return. Rail time 30mins. Frequency is approx 2 per hour - although the last train goes at 22.40, the next is at 01.00 in the morning. No good for concerts, parties etc.
Total elapsed journey time door to door: home to station 15mins, train 30 mins, station to destination - say 15mins by taxi. Using walk/bus instead of car/taxi adds ~30mins but saves ~£15-20 at each end.
Second journey which would be undertaken fairly frequently to see daughter in north London. Same travel times - fare is £110 return with 2 or 3 changes.
Rail journey time varies between 3 and 4 hours + home to station, and station to daughter. 4-5 hours door to door. Adding in an intermediate stop to sister in Hertfordshire (which we often do) is a complete non-starter in a day. If staying in hotel overnight (which we do occassionally) we then need to factor in transport to/from hotel.
In summary - trip to Exeter - train is 15-45 mins longer than car. Cost of ~7 litres of fuel is ~£9. Even if double to cover servicing tyres etc car costs £18 vs train at £22 + possible parking/taxis at both ends £30-40.
Similar comparison for London trip - door to door journey time is an extra 1-2 hours. Fuel required for 350 mile round trip is ~ £45 (double to £90). Train fare £110 plus possible taxi at each end £30-40 - total £140-150.
For one person the car wins - although on a business trip it would be possible to work on the train. For two or more the train is utterly non-competitive in terms of both time and money - unless you dislike driving and love trains (I don't!).
Last edited by: Terry on Fri 21 May 21 at 01:37
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