Cheap Train Fares (not)

[Cush]

Trains between Carlisle and Newcastle, three different fares in one day booking in advance. I live between stations, one three mile away the other two and a bit, the fare difference is minimal, but because I am taking the bike I go to the furthest away station to go to Newcastle to ensure that I can get the bike on the train. In reverse I have to get the last train back to ensure I can get on with the bike and get off at a stop early because it is mainly down hill or flat to home . The point here is the fare structure on our trains and cycle facilities is farcical and needs sorting out but try telling that to our MP,

 

[mjr]

I don't think your MP is obliged to reply to non-constituents. What did he reply when you asked what he was doing to fix this? There's an election coming, so have you tried asking the other candidates and starting some sort of cycle facility bidding war?

 

[captain nemo1701]

I wanted to go to the cycle show last year and got a figure of £52 day return from Bristol to the NEC. You'd think Brum was near Glasgow or something if Nat Express can do it for about £20.

 

[mjr]

I wanted to go to the cycle show last year and got a figure of £52 day return from Bristol to the NEC. You'd think Brum was near Glasgow or something if Nat Express can do it for about £20.

Yes, but road infrastructure is heavily subsidised and there's a lot more of it, plus NatEx's chairman thinks cyclist road deaths are mainly the fault of cyclists...

 

[brand]

National express are crap. They went to a Hub and spoke method ages ago. Louth to Manchester 8 hours due to a 3 hours stopover in Birmingham nor are they cheap. I think they are going to get their arses kicked by Megabus. Do they do cycles?

 

[brand]

I don't think your MP is obliged to reply to non-constituents. What did he reply when you asked what he was doing to fix this? There's an election coming, so have you tried asking the other candidates and starting some sort of cycle facility bidding war?

Are you supposed to book bike on the train? Never have myself. Just got on with it.

 

[mjr]

Are you supposed to book bike on the train? Never have myself. Just got on with it.

Varies by company: http://www.atob.org.uk/bike-rail/uk-bike-rail-restrictions/

 

[Cush]

I don't think your MP is obliged to reply to non-constituents. What did he reply when you asked what he was doing to fix this? There's an election coming, so have you tried asking the other candidates and starting some sort of cycle facility bidding war?

It was my MP I wrote to and he wrote to the train company involved and they more or less stuck two fingers up to both of us and he lost interest. Bikes on trains are not a vote catcher.

 

[Cush]

Are you supposed to book bike on the train? Never have myself. Just got on with it.

Northern rail restrict it to two bikes per train on a first come basis and then do the dirty on their staff by saying it is up to the guard if he/she allows more on board. Most of their staff are extremely helpful, but there is always the chance of meeting a jobs worth.