Commuting - reducing costs

top_drawer_2

hi,

Due to circumstanced beyond my control I am having to commute from Darwen to Preston for work. I normally live here in Preston but my contract on my house has finished and my LL wants me out...

In the past I have got the bus to Blackburn (£3.00 return) and then the train (£5.60 return). I only earn minimum wage, I work in the train station and the bus station is miles away so train will probably be best.

Does anyone have any ideas on how I can reduce costs?

Jen

robt_2

Well assuming you work five days a week a train season ticket would be a start at £21.30 a week, or a month at £81.80. Does your local bus company do seven day tickets too?

top_drawer_2

excellent ... where would i get a train season ticket? I've never heard of them....

I will look into the bus ticket season too but maybe i'll have to look into walking and putting up with the 25 min wait between connections depending on the total cost account for the inevitable brew at the station too ....

Jen

Jen

top_drawer_2

excellent ... where would i get a train season ticket? I've never heard of them....

The bus station is miles away on the other side of town .... I work in the rail station so that seems like the best idea tbh.

Jen

robt_2

Any station - probably best to go to Preston as it is bigger and will have more staff available. I think you need a passport photograph for a monthly one, but possibly not for weekly.

hewhoisnotintheknow

rent another house nearby?

AdrianHi

May be you wouldn't want to do it everyday, but I make your commute 14 miles by major road, perhaps 12 miles cross using country roads.
Once you get your fitness up (unless your already super fit!) you could cycle that distance inside an hour and may be use the bus/train on bad weather days or when you not feeling 100% and up to the ride.

top_drawer_2

lol not a chance of me cycling it ........ and I have a shift for which I am on my feet for 8 hrs!

I've tried to rent a room somewhere nearby for three weeks but no-one is willing to do it - I have got an offer from someone on freecycle for their sofa but am a little hesitant ...

Jen

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

Its 14 miles - thats not more than 1 hour cycling.

I know what I'd do.

top_drawer_2

I wouldn't get there ... I havent been near a bike since I was about 16 (not sure how true the saying "you never forget how to ride a bike" is) plus I'm extremely unfit ...

Jen