New job Reading - London zone 1 train or car?

jont999

I'm trying to find the cheaper option, whether that's using the train or the car. I'm looking to move down there in a couple of months so yearly tickets are out. My car has a low Co2 output of under 121 and can do over 55mpg and is exempt from the congestion charge and I'll be going from central Reading to Earls Court area.

So what do you guys think is the best option?

tinkerbell84

Where would you park? Public parking could cost more than the cost of a monthly train ticket plus zone 1 travelcard.

And don't forget that driving into London is a nightmare in the mornings (as is getting out of there at night).

Could take you 2 hours easily each way in the car - train would be much much quicker.

jont999

That's pretty much what I was expecting. Any idea how much a monthly ticket would cost?

tinkerbell84

jont999 wrote: »

That's pretty much what I was expecting. Any idea how much a monthly ticket would cost?

google is your friend

martindow

There is a new coach service from Swindon to London aimed at commuters starting sometime this month which will presumably undercut the train fares.

This will stop at Savacentre, Calcot and Winnersh Triangle and (very sensibly avoid battling into Reading town centre). Free wi-fi on board and I'm sure I read in the local paper that they will text to advise arrival times or delays. Several services up in the morning and back in the evening.

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/buszone/message/1506

http://www.nationalexpress.com/coach/destinations/newcommuterservice.cfm

jont999

wow, sounds fab!

shown73

Sorry to be a Jonah, but the bus will presumably suffer the same M4 nightmare as all the cars, won't it? Or is there a bus lane from Thiefrow?

tinkerbell84

Yep. Except between junction 3 and junction 2 :rolleyes:

Altarf

jont999 wrote: »

Any idea how much a monthly ticket would cost?

£319.50 train only, £369.10 with a zone 1-6 Travelcard.

Annual tickets are cheaper at £3328 and £3844.

Riq

Altarf wrote: »

£319.50 train only, £369.10 with a zone 1-6 Travelcard.

Annual tickets are cheaper at £3328 and £3844.

Sorry, I just spat out my drink!

HOW MUCH?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

dzug

Why do you say yearly tickets are out - other than expense? You can AFAIK start them on any day - it doesn't have to be 1 January.