Student Travel

gared007

Entering Glasgow University in September 2010.
I will also be moving into Cairncross House student halls around that time aswell.

I am wanting to travel every Monday and Thursday from Glasgow University area (can always walk to City Centre if it makes this easier) to Kilmarnock (Air Training Corps Squadron, next to Kilmarnock Football Club's Rugby Park). I would need to be at the Squadron for 7pm and I normally finish most parade nights between 10-12pm (so leaving time is flexible). As for the time leaving Glasgow I would need to be back from Uni grab a bite to eat and be on my way.

I want to know what is the cheapest way to carry out this journey every week?

I've phoned trainline and they said unfortuently as a student travlelling this journey I cant use any of their offers. The assistant said the best option is to buy a 1/3 off ticket for the year for £24. The cost of a return ticket from Glasgow to Kilmarnock would be£5.85 each time (then minus a third off that) so it would cost £3.90. So each week it would cost £7.80 which isn't bad (+ the £24 i paid initially).....but is there a cheaper alternative?

I've been told to look at car sharing too. Does anyone recommend it? I'm worried about the reliability factor and really would prefer public transport.

scottishblondie

Public transport is possibly more reliable, unless you can find someone you really trust to always turn up. There is a bus that goes between the city centre to Kilmarnock on a regular basis including late at night (which is the only time I've used it), I don't have a clue how much it costs these days or how long it takes however. I think it is run by Stagecoach.

If you want to take the train (probably quicker than the bus) I'd definitely recommend the young person's railcard. It used to save me a load of money on train journeys, and it's really the only way to travel more cheaply than the regular ticket prices.

gared007

Yeah the young person's rail card is what I was tlking bout previously the one that costs £24 (i see its actually £26) a year for 1/3 off all fares. Thanks for the reply.

PaisleyPPL

dnt forget u can claim travel expenses to and from uni ,i think its around december time (not sure f the procedure as i cant claim) u can claim for 5dys travel to and from uni ,u can also claim for i think 3 trips home over the year

The_One_Who

PaisleyPPL wrote: »

dnt forget u can claim travel expenses to and from uni ,i think its around december time (not sure f the procedure as i cant claim) u can claim for 5dys travel to and from uni ,u can also claim for i think 3 trips home over the year

This wouldn't apply in this case, since the OP is not travelling home, and they are travelling twice a week, every week.

As mentioned, there is the young-person's railcard which can end up saving you a lot of money. You'd need to look up train times to and from Kilmarnock, though because I don't think they are very regular, especially late at night. There is a late bus from Glasgow (costs about £7), not sure if it goes the other way though, would be easy enough to check.

Car sharing would obviously be easiest, especially if you find someone else who is making the same journey.

atypical

gared007 wrote: »

Yeah the young person's rail card is what I was tlking bout previously the one that costs £24 (i see its actually £26) a year for 1/3 off all fares.

Don't forget that NatWest offers the railcard for free if you open an account with them.

That shouldn't be the only factor you consider when choosing an account though. You might find a (potentially) larger overdraft offered by another bank is better for you. There's an article here but it needs to be updated for 2010/11.

gared007

Thank you very much guy, really appreciate the help.

I'm gonnabe making calls today anyway to find out more.

As for the car sharing I'm the only person at my sqn that will be living in halls and going to uni this year. I can drive and share a car with my mum but she's not letting me take it up to the halls....

Indie_Kid

is coach / bus an option?

gared007

Think I've made up my mind actually. Buses are not an option - far too expensive and the "Unirider" option is rubbish and 3 times more expensive than rail. Plus the bus companies sent em round in circles saying "oh you'll need to speak to Stagecoach West Scotland", "oh we don't do that you'll need to contact Kilmarnock...."
I'll buy the 16-25 at £26 for a year with 1/3 off all rail travel (after 10am). Using the card means I would be only paying £7.80 a week for tje journey which tbh i think is as cheap as ill get. It just means a 30 minute walk (or bus) to Central Station.