Hate paying £5k train fare. Realistic alternatives??

kfw_2

Hello all

With the ever increasing rail fares, I am trying to find out whether it is possible to save money by travelling daily into central London by another means. Current commute is: Kent – Ashford into London city. The latest price hikes will mean come 2015+, my “slow” train will be approx. £5,015!! The high speed service at £6k I simply cannot afford.

My immediate thoughts:

• By a small cheap car which is easy to service myself, eg Nissan Micra with their cam chain engines seem pretty bomb proof. Then, drive to a rail station nearest I can within London zone 1-6 with free on street parking and either bus/bike/tube the rest of the journey to London.
• Get one of those 3 wheeled Piaggio “trikes” as I do not have a bike licence, however I need to factor in a lot of servicing costs/bike clothing etc.
  

Just wanted any input on fellow long distant commuters and see what you folks do, have tried and succeeded/failed or continue to do………….

Big thanks!

System

I can't really help but I wish you luck on

a rail station nearest I can within London zone 1-6 with free on street parking

I doubt such a beast exists for obvious reasons

benjus

!!!!!! wrote: »

I can't really help but I wish you luck on
I doubt such a beast exists for obvious reasons

If you don't mind a 10 minute walk from your car to the station there are a few options. Elverson Road DLR station even has free parking right next to the station... but don't expect to find a free spot.

Arfa__

kfw wrote: »

Get one of those 3 wheeled Piaggio “trikes” as I do not have a bike licence, however I need to factor in a lot of servicing costs/bike clothing etc.

The trikes by Piaggio and such like, tend come in two flavours depending on the distance between the two front wheels. The narrower ones are classed as a motorbike, and thus you need a motorbike license to ride one. Being a 400cc, that means an A or A2 licence (depending on your age).

Then there's the wider one, the 'LT' I believe, which is classed as a trike, thus can be ridden with either a full car or motorbike license (and with no helmet if you so desired...) However, these can't park in solo motorbike bays, which are generally free (except in Westminster). It's also over 2m long (just), so NOT except from congestion charge. So, ultimately not a good solution for riding right into the centre.

That said, £5k would more than cover the upfront and running costs of going for your bike test (~£800), buying a nice commuter bike (a £2k 10 year old 500-600cc bike is ample for the London commute), some decent kit for summer & winter (~£1000), insurance (~£300), yearly servicing costs, tyres, chains etc (£500). From Ashford, I'd expect an hour commute to the city, regardless of traffic. Needs a certain mind set and can be fun at weekends, certainly worth considering.

verityboo

Can you commute by coach?

If there any local services which fit time wise they are usually cheaper and you get a seat!

kfw_2

Had explored the coach option but it just wont get me into London on time, plus i would have to leave work earlier than my team every day which i dont think will be allowed as the coach company literally runs a single service in and out of Kent/London.

I have heard that New Cross over ground train station has lots of nearby free parking and that is only zone 2.

AdrianC

kfw wrote: »

I have heard that New Cross over ground train station has lots of nearby free parking and that is only zone 2.

So try it. Instead of your normal train, drive to New Cross tomorrow morning, and try to park.

benjus

kfw wrote: »

I have heard that New Cross over ground train station has lots of nearby free parking and that is only zone 2.

That may be correct - but bear in mind that New Cross is a nasty traffic bottleneck at the best of times, and I wouldn't want to be around there at rush hour. In fact (assuming you come in on the M20/A20) it's likely to be pretty slow from around the south circular.

GRM

http://www.thekingsferry.co.uk/commuter-services/routes-and-times/timetables-and-departures

Any use or is that the coach you've already investigated?

4743hudsonj

A g-wizz other similar quadricycle EV.

Stay with me here. Used ones with around 10k on the clock can be had for about £4,000 on Goingreen. The only major servicing on these is new batteries at around £1200. Not sure how often these need replacing but worth a look.

Range is 50 -60 mile on full charge. 2 hours gives you 80 % charge and 8 full hours to 100%.

sh0597

This is why I'm glad I don't have to work in London