Barnes/Richmond

Rachel71

Hello

Am hoping that someone would have some useful advice here. I'm thinking of moving to Barnes/Richmond and wondered what the commute was like to waterloo. I've tried it out at the weekend and it seemed ok but would appreciate anyone's advice as to how reliable/crowded the trains are during the week at peak hours.

Thanks
Rachel

Gingernutmeg

The commute from Barnes to Waterloo isn't bad, but the trains do get VERY crowded at peak times, although they are reliable - I've never got a seat but I've never been late lol!

Rachel71

Thanks v much! I don't mind not having a seat, but is it a case of being pressed up against someone's armpit or would it be reasonably comfortable?

Gingernutmeg

The times I've used the trains they've been fairly packed - not quite in someones armpit but there's not a lot of room to stretch. However, it's not *that* long a journey to Barnes and as I don't do it every day it's not too bad.

happy_chick_3

its fine from barnes and richmond, its just when you get to putney that you'll get a problem. if you're standing its best to find a spot away from the doors so you won't get crammed in! its a pretty good and quick commute though

traciekan

peak hours extremely packed and standings your best bet cos an armpit is less offensive than sitting with your face in a groin!
leave early you need to allow 2 trains past sometimes

Rachel71

Thanks v much everyone. Doesn't really sound so great, and the commute is really important to me, so might have a look elsewhere in London.

Thanks again.
Rachel 71

princesslizzie

I am at uni in this area. I avoid SW trains cos they are horrible and made me cry! I was stuck waiting in the Roehampton area for a bus for 25 mins (the buses should be every 8-11 mins) and finally got one to Barnes station. Jumped on a train which was literally pulling into the platform, thinking I could buy tickets on board and got firmly told by the conductor I couldn't do this anymore! I had a stern warning and had to read about a penalty fare. It wasn't my fault my buses were late and consequently I missed my train from Liverpool St (and the £11 fare) home. The last time I traveled on this train I could buy tickets, so when did this change?!

Anyways, the commute into London is not great from Barnes. Considering we're quite close to central it takes about 25 mins. I find it easier to hop on the tube at Hammersmith!

Gingernutmeg

princesslizzie wrote: »

I am at uni in this area. I avoid SW trains cos they are horrible and made me cry! I was stuck waiting in the Roehampton area for a bus for 25 mins (the buses should be every 8-11 mins) and finally got one to Barnes station. Jumped on a train which was literally pulling into the platform, thinking I could buy tickets on board and got firmly told by the conductor I couldn't do this anymore! I had a stern warning and had to read about a penalty fare. It wasn't my fault my buses were late and consequently I missed my train from Liverpool St (and the £11 fare) home. The last time I traveled on this train I could buy tickets, so when did this change?!

Anyways, the commute into London is not great from Barnes. Considering we're quite close to central it takes about 25 mins. I find it easier to hop on the tube at Hammersmith!

Yes, they've changed the frequency of the 265 bus fairly recently and it's a nightmare now - they're ALWAYS packed and I've waited up to 45 mins for one. Buses in the Roehampton area are bad enough, I don't know why they've deliberately made it worse ...

They changed the fare system about six months ago, something like that. Now you have to buy tickets on the platform rather than on the train. Again, it's someone's idea of efficiency ... :rolleyes:

Fulham_Mark

Hate to worry you but a commute into central london from anywhere is going to be awful. Tube, Bus or Train.

If you are at the end of the line you get a seat into work but crammed for longer on the way home.

At least at Barnes you'd arrive in a idyllic gem of a village rather than any old suburb with typical London problems

If possible change your lifestyle to beat the commute, if you can get in early and leave early, or travel in the opposite direction from people e.g. Sky and Glaxo are out of london from Barnes.

Pottermuss

Have you thought about cyling, my brother lives in Barnes and cycles into town, far less stressfull.