Why Modern Train Travel Leaves You Feeling Foolish

The Hassle of Train Ticketing

It’s early in the morning, and I find myself in my kitchen, preparing for a long day of travel. As I wait for the kettle to boil, I navigate through various apps on my phone, trying to plan my journey. Today, I need to be at a lay-by in Teesdale by 10am, and I also have to pick up a videographer from Leeds along the way.

Calculating the travel time, my phone tells me that Leeds is 1 hour and 30 minutes away from our destination. So, if I want to reach the videographer by 8am, I should leave now. However, experience has taught me that leaving at this time would be a mistake. The roads will be congested with people heading to Leeds for work. So, I grab my mug of tea and hit the road.

Initially, it seems like I’ll arrive too early, around 7:20am. But I know I’ll want to make a few stops for refreshments and fuel along the way. Plus, if I fill up near Leeds, my car will have enough fuel for the entire day. As I continue driving, my estimated arrival time gradually adjusts.

A Predictable Journey by Car

After a relaxed fuel stop, I arrive at the videographer’s location right on time at 7:55am. The second leg of the journey is much smoother since we’re the only ones heading to the lay-by in Teesdale. Traffic is light, and we reach our destination by 9:35am.

Driving by car offers simplicity and flexibility. I can choose different departure times and adjust my route based on the circumstances. However, the cost remains relatively constant.

The Confusion of Train Travel

A few weeks ago, I decided to take a train to Birmingham. Like with the car journey, I stood in my kitchen trying to figure out the best travel options. Initially, I thought I could simply go to the station and buy a ticket. But that would have been a mistake.

The ticket price at the station was £29.10, which I later realized was an overpayment to the German taxpayer who owns Chiltern Railways. If I had purchased the ticket online, I could have saved 10%, paying only £26.10 for the same journey. However, I was traveling with someone who had a Network Railcard, which allowed them to buy me a ticket for just £24 as long as we traveled together.

But here’s the catch: the Network Railcard was only valid up to King’s Sutton, a few stops before Birmingham. So, we had to purchase a full-fare ticket from King’s Sutton to Birmingham. These “split” tickets were only valid on trains that stopped at King’s Sutton. It was confusing, and I would have ended up paying 20% more if someone hadn’t guided me through the process.

The Benefits of Car Travel

When I drive to a destination like Edinburgh, all I have to consider is the travel time. The cost remains the same, regardless of when I decide to go. In a car, my naivety and spontaneity aren’t taken advantage of. Unfortunately, train travel doesn’t offer the same simplicity.

In May 2021, the announcement of a new public body called Great British Railways promised to end the fragmentation of the railway system and simplify ticketing. However, this initiative has been delayed, and it’s uncertain when it will be implemented.

The Frustration of Train Ticketing

I don’t mind planning a journey, and I understand the concept of loyalty cards. However, what frustrates me is the feeling that unless I navigate the ticketing system strategically, I’m being taken advantage of. So, as the kettle boils, I grab my car keys and choose the simplicity and flexibility of car travel.