Virgin West Coast + Virgin East Coast

Blether

Am a regular traveller to London and used to mainly use East Coast Rail. Service was always better and you could usually get some cheap fares most days. Now they are both run by the same company you can only get cheap fares some days but it is not predictable which days that will be. Some times the weekend is cheap and other days it is the trains at ridiculous times like 05:30. Being that you have to book hotels well in advance to get the best deals you are basically just gambling that you will get a reasonable fare. The long distance fares have now gone up massively.

On my next visit to London I am flying down and it is cheaper even including the fares to get to the airport and into central London. I prefer the train as I can take more luggage and include things like a liquids and my electric toothbrush.

What I would like to know is why when this Government is so keen on competition was the same company allowed to run these 2 major routes. Is anyone monitoring the prices and service provided to travellers who don't have alternative rail provision.

yorkie2

Whereabouts are you travelling from? You talk about competition between routes, so I am guessing somewhere like Glasgow, Edinburgh or near there?

How far in advance are you looking and what price do you consider cheap?

What price (fully inclusive of all charges) did you pay for the plane ticket, and what is the date & time of travel?