Train fare help, Commuting

Kalibur88

hi all, Currently i am catching the train from Wakefield Kirkgate Station to Sheffield Station to go to university, and then obviously catching the train back from Sheffield to Wakefield Kirkgate. My problem is that its costing me £8.90 for a return ticket per day, and Im there 4 times per week. which adds up to about £143 per month, and as anyone who is or has been a student will know, thats quite a lot of money in comparison to student wages. As im traveling before 10am on a morning to get there ive been told that im not entitled to use a Student 16-25 railcard which gives 1/3 off because my journey is less than minimum fare!!???(apparently), I cant get a Student PLus metrocard either which is £61 per month because it only covers the West Yorkshire area zones 1-5 and Sheffield is not covered in zone 5( ref: Map in Student Plus Metrocard leaflet). I have also looked into catching an National Express Coach which goes via the motorway to Sheffield Interchange, but Wakefield Bus station does not have many of these coaches leaving per week and they are doing so at irregular times. Lol, it seems that the train system is against me, could anyone offer any advice at all with regards to my situation, Its got to the point where I wont actually be able afford to go to University which is a shame because I only have one year left. Any help would be greatly appreciated

gner_ex

A weekly season ticket Wakefield to Sheffield is £39.50 (or £40.80 if you want the option to go via Doncaster as well).

Monthly is £151.70 (or £156.70 inc Doncaster).

Your other option is the monthly metromaster, for £95, which covers buses (not trains or coaches) in west and south yorkshire. Pity the old X33 has ceased - I think you'd have to change buses in Barnsley these days.

Is Kirkgate to Sheffield your complete journey, or do you a bus or car at either end of the journey?

Other option is to get a WY Metrocard _and_ a SY Travelmaster, but this way your train must stop at Darton (or Moorthorpe).

WY Metrocard student (trains and buses in west yorkshire) £61 per month
SY Railmaster (trains and supertram in SY) £56.50

This latter combination actually seems your best option - the only downside is you can't get the fast trains that don't stop at Darton (but if price is your main concern then thats okay).