Showing posts with label transport. Show all posts
Showing posts with label transport. Show all posts
20070508
The Russia to Japan Ferry
I've added a new page to the North Facing website providing an in-depth guide to travelling on the Vladivostok to Fushiki ferry. This ship takes you from the far side of Russia where the Trans-Siberian proper terminates, across the Sea of Japan to the land of the rising sun. Detailed practical information and photos about the ferry service are a bit thin of the ground online so this new feature is set to put it right! Please take a look!
20070331
Virgin Trains - the red brand goes green
Virgin Trains is now featuring the environmentally friendly credentials of their trains on its website. The Pendolino trains, which use a regenerative braking system which actually returns electricity to the grid, emits 76% less CO2 than cars or domestic flights, the website states. The trains return an amount of electricity equivalent to making 2.6 billion brews a year.
20070319
Rail replacement buses
With the rail crash the other week and the usual round of engineering works, there's been no shortage of rail replacement buses around here of late. Saturday saw some for First group on the A65, although I'm at a loss as to what train service they might be filling in for.
Last week I saw a local bus I'd never seen before bound for Low Gill, up the valley from here. Given the the railway that used to run through the valley stretched from here up to to Low Gill, where it joins the West Coast Main Line, I wondered if it might a Beeching Rail Replacement Bus Service?
Last week I saw a local bus I'd never seen before bound for Low Gill, up the valley from here. Given the the railway that used to run through the valley stretched from here up to to Low Gill, where it joins the West Coast Main Line, I wondered if it might a Beeching Rail Replacement Bus Service?
20070316
Public transport pricing
The government seems hell-bent on ensuring that only the rich are able to travel - by any means. The latest report is that rail prices - specifically on the saver tickets - will increase, following hot on the heels of the annual above inflation increase in fares. This comes on top of proposed road charges which Labour seem determine to implement, although the validity of the petition against the proposal was dubious in the way that many things on the internet can so easily be. Meanwhile there's the less than stealthy taxation on flying which was brought in under an environmental banner but of course none of the revenue raised are going into those schemes.
Whichever mode of transport we wish to take, and in this day and age many people don't have much choice in the matter due to the spread of friends, family and work commitments, it seems we're going to be paying more before much longer. I don't have a problem with more being charged for less environmentally friendly modes of transport if the more environmentally friendly modes are made more affordable and attractive. However at the same time I think the government needs to look at intelligent methods of tackling the environmental issue rather than pricing the poorest out of travel while the rich continue to swan about as they please. Perhaps a system whereby an individual's carbon footprint is kept on a database with their passport number. This could perhaps lead to an escalating rate of tax as more flights are made. It's not an easy solution, but then easy solutions seldom prove to be the best solutions.
Whichever mode of transport we wish to take, and in this day and age many people don't have much choice in the matter due to the spread of friends, family and work commitments, it seems we're going to be paying more before much longer. I don't have a problem with more being charged for less environmentally friendly modes of transport if the more environmentally friendly modes are made more affordable and attractive. However at the same time I think the government needs to look at intelligent methods of tackling the environmental issue rather than pricing the poorest out of travel while the rich continue to swan about as they please. Perhaps a system whereby an individual's carbon footprint is kept on a database with their passport number. This could perhaps lead to an escalating rate of tax as more flights are made. It's not an easy solution, but then easy solutions seldom prove to be the best solutions.
20070116
Some of Tuesday with recollections of Friday
Sunny again today. Readers not from the local area may be somewhat perplexed as to this apparent fascination of mine with the appearance of the glowing orb. I must admit the near perpetuity of rainfall recently has been perplexing me as even in this much watered corner of the UK is receiving a good deal more in the way of rainfall than normal.
As normal my late-night writing shift meant a late rise today, although I was awoken to the announcement that we were all going for a walk. A quick glance outside explained why: blue skies, broad sunshine and a continuation of the mild weather that's become synonymous with this winter.
Off to Barbon then; locally pronounced Baa-bun, although the 'Keeping up appearances' set prefer it by its upper crust title of Bar-bonn, which probably exists if you visit the correct German city. A trudge through a wood and along a fell side later and we were all feeling much the better for it.
It's raining now of course. We couldn't manage a whole day of fine weather, perish the thought, and the forecast is for more of the gales that so hampered my journey down to London last Friday. Just as well I'm not making weekly visits as I'd likely be facing a repeat performance.
Damaged overhead lines at Oxenholme station limited trains to a single track and in an area where points aren't too thick on the ground the delays quickly build up. My train had to wait for two north bound services to pass Penrith before it could proceed. The wasn't without entertainment. Two trucks with some special rail attachment slowly passed the station doing I'm not entirely sure what, while when an engineer presumably flicked a switch in a control box for the overhead lines there was a great flash and crackle as electricity arced across the gantry. It must be broken after all; at least they're not making it up.
As normal my late-night writing shift meant a late rise today, although I was awoken to the announcement that we were all going for a walk. A quick glance outside explained why: blue skies, broad sunshine and a continuation of the mild weather that's become synonymous with this winter.
Off to Barbon then; locally pronounced Baa-bun, although the 'Keeping up appearances' set prefer it by its upper crust title of Bar-bonn, which probably exists if you visit the correct German city. A trudge through a wood and along a fell side later and we were all feeling much the better for it.
It's raining now of course. We couldn't manage a whole day of fine weather, perish the thought, and the forecast is for more of the gales that so hampered my journey down to London last Friday. Just as well I'm not making weekly visits as I'd likely be facing a repeat performance.
Damaged overhead lines at Oxenholme station limited trains to a single track and in an area where points aren't too thick on the ground the delays quickly build up. My train had to wait for two north bound services to pass Penrith before it could proceed. The wasn't without entertainment. Two trucks with some special rail attachment slowly passed the station doing I'm not entirely sure what, while when an engineer presumably flicked a switch in a control box for the overhead lines there was a great flash and crackle as electricity arced across the gantry. It must be broken after all; at least they're not making it up.
20070104
Edinburgh or Manchester for a quid
Following up from yesterday's comparison of rail fares; today's Guardian ran an article on finding cheap fares. This mentioned that Megatrain covers both South West and Virgin routes. I thought maybe this was where routes merge south of London but had a look anyway. To my amazement I discovered that Oxenholme is covered on a route that runs from Manchester to Glasgow and Edinburgh. I could travel to Scotland or Manchester for a quid! The routes are clearly designed to use lightly loaded services and I suspect the choice of using Oxenholme rather than Lancaster or Preston is that passenger numbers are lighter too from here. It's great news, and a service I endeavour to make the use of soon.
£70 return to the big smoke
The start of the working year brought with it the seasonal hikes in train fares. Over the past few years a return from my local mainline station Oxenholme to London Euston on the Virgin West Coast mainline has been rising through the 60s of pounds and as of Tuesday has broken through the £70 mark for a saver return. It's a 400 km journey taking 3 hours.
This struck me as a touch steep, so I set out to compare the price with other European countries. As a benchmark I'm using travelling on a Friday afternoon and back on a Monday afternoon which is a common weekend away option and likely to avoid rush hour periods.
First off we go to France with their wonderful high speed rail network. Let's start with an unfair comparison, that of time. From Paris to Marseille it takes a little over 3 hrs but covers 750 km. The standard price outbound is £68, and return £56 as this is classed as off-peak for some reason, making a £124 total. The return costs more than what I would pay, but the single costs a similar amount or less than the saver single for my route at £68. In addition discovery fares are offered by SNCF which are designed for a stay in the destination over a Saturday night. Using these fares brings the price down to £51 out and £42 back; £93 in total. More expensive, but covering getting on for twice the distance without costing anywhere near twice as much.
Time for a fairer comparison. Paris to Limoges is exactly 400 km as with my own route and also takes around 3 hours. The train is standard, not a TGV and costs either £31.50 or £35.50 each way, for a total from £63 to £71. These are comparable to the fares I'm facing on my route to London. The Discovery fare costs either £24 or £27 for a £48 or £54 total; considerably cheaper than my fares. It should be noted that the discovery fares were available from all services whereas cheap Virgin Value fares are much harder to come by.
(Source: raileurope.co.uk)
Next to Germany. Hamburg to Fulda (on the mainline to Munich) is 418 km, takes just over three hours by high-speed ICE train and costs €78 each way (£52) for a total of €156 (£105), although a return fare is offered for the same price for the single but not available for the sample dates I used. Going by the standard fare the price is cheaper for a single but a good deal more expensive for a return.
A second German comparison, this time with standard InterCity services between Frankfurt and Plattling (on the Passau mainline), some 404 km apart and a journey time of around 3 hours 40, costing €63 (£42) each way for a €126 (£84) return price. In this instance cheap return fares were available, making the return €63 (£42) in total.
(Source: deutsche-bahn.co.uk)
Finally to Sweden. Stockholm to Alingsas (on the mainline to Gothenburg) is 410 km. By high-speed X2000 train this takes 2 hours 35 minutes and costs 900 SEK (£67) for a standard ticket or 600 SEK (£44) for an advance purchase out, and 958 SEK (£71) standard and 538 SEK (£40) advance back, making a total of 1858 SEK (£138) standard and 1138 SEK (£84) advance return. Only the advance single works out cheaper than my route to London.
When comparing the Swedish Intercity trains on the same route the story is different. The distance is the same at 410 km but now takes 4 hours 25 minutes and costs 445 SEK (£33) both outbound and back, making a total of 890 SEK (£66). For the sample dates an advance price was only available for one return train, of 378 SEK (£28). Going by the standard prices the single fares are much cheaper whereas the return fares are very similar to my route to London, but a good deal slower.
(Source: sj.se)
What conclusions to draw from all of this? The main point has to the ridiculous pricing of single fares on many routes in the UK which cost only very slightly less (and on occasion a little more) than the return price. I can't see any reason for this other than encouraging travellers to make a return on the same route. However for those having to make a one-way journey the price is something of a rip-off.
If simply sticking to a comparison of return journeys then the price I'm paying doesn't compare too unfavourably with our brothers abroad in many instances. It's tricky to know where to place the Virgin West Coast trains as the journey time is generally slower than the high speed trains on the continent but quicker than their InterCity trains. There's also the complex issue of advance and discount fares which all have differing availabilities and conditions attached.
I had been expecting to discover that I was being ripped off compared to the continent, but this isn't the case, which is something. The situation might be different if I had to commute on the horrendously priced 'Standard Open' tickets, but for general travel we seem to be doing ok.
This struck me as a touch steep, so I set out to compare the price with other European countries. As a benchmark I'm using travelling on a Friday afternoon and back on a Monday afternoon which is a common weekend away option and likely to avoid rush hour periods.
First off we go to France with their wonderful high speed rail network. Let's start with an unfair comparison, that of time. From Paris to Marseille it takes a little over 3 hrs but covers 750 km. The standard price outbound is £68, and return £56 as this is classed as off-peak for some reason, making a £124 total. The return costs more than what I would pay, but the single costs a similar amount or less than the saver single for my route at £68. In addition discovery fares are offered by SNCF which are designed for a stay in the destination over a Saturday night. Using these fares brings the price down to £51 out and £42 back; £93 in total. More expensive, but covering getting on for twice the distance without costing anywhere near twice as much.
Time for a fairer comparison. Paris to Limoges is exactly 400 km as with my own route and also takes around 3 hours. The train is standard, not a TGV and costs either £31.50 or £35.50 each way, for a total from £63 to £71. These are comparable to the fares I'm facing on my route to London. The Discovery fare costs either £24 or £27 for a £48 or £54 total; considerably cheaper than my fares. It should be noted that the discovery fares were available from all services whereas cheap Virgin Value fares are much harder to come by.
(Source: raileurope.co.uk)
Next to Germany. Hamburg to Fulda (on the mainline to Munich) is 418 km, takes just over three hours by high-speed ICE train and costs €78 each way (£52) for a total of €156 (£105), although a return fare is offered for the same price for the single but not available for the sample dates I used. Going by the standard fare the price is cheaper for a single but a good deal more expensive for a return.
A second German comparison, this time with standard InterCity services between Frankfurt and Plattling (on the Passau mainline), some 404 km apart and a journey time of around 3 hours 40, costing €63 (£42) each way for a €126 (£84) return price. In this instance cheap return fares were available, making the return €63 (£42) in total.
(Source: deutsche-bahn.co.uk)
Finally to Sweden. Stockholm to Alingsas (on the mainline to Gothenburg) is 410 km. By high-speed X2000 train this takes 2 hours 35 minutes and costs 900 SEK (£67) for a standard ticket or 600 SEK (£44) for an advance purchase out, and 958 SEK (£71) standard and 538 SEK (£40) advance back, making a total of 1858 SEK (£138) standard and 1138 SEK (£84) advance return. Only the advance single works out cheaper than my route to London.
When comparing the Swedish Intercity trains on the same route the story is different. The distance is the same at 410 km but now takes 4 hours 25 minutes and costs 445 SEK (£33) both outbound and back, making a total of 890 SEK (£66). For the sample dates an advance price was only available for one return train, of 378 SEK (£28). Going by the standard prices the single fares are much cheaper whereas the return fares are very similar to my route to London, but a good deal slower.
(Source: sj.se)
What conclusions to draw from all of this? The main point has to the ridiculous pricing of single fares on many routes in the UK which cost only very slightly less (and on occasion a little more) than the return price. I can't see any reason for this other than encouraging travellers to make a return on the same route. However for those having to make a one-way journey the price is something of a rip-off.
If simply sticking to a comparison of return journeys then the price I'm paying doesn't compare too unfavourably with our brothers abroad in many instances. It's tricky to know where to place the Virgin West Coast trains as the journey time is generally slower than the high speed trains on the continent but quicker than their InterCity trains. There's also the complex issue of advance and discount fares which all have differing availabilities and conditions attached.
I had been expecting to discover that I was being ripped off compared to the continent, but this isn't the case, which is something. The situation might be different if I had to commute on the horrendously priced 'Standard Open' tickets, but for general travel we seem to be doing ok.
20061221
The lack of Christmas trains
I first brought this matter up in an internet forum around these time of year three years ago. My question to the group: why, when seemingly every other country in Europe runs rail services at Christmas do we not here in the UK? We must be one of the more secular countries of the EU and there are surely plenty of people who would travel if they could, but no services are provided. At that time I was living in Germany where as far as I remember a normal service would be running on Christmas, just like any other day. That Germany and so many other countries continued business as usual while we are forced to endure a total shut down of the network seemed illogical but perhaps symptomatic of the British work ethic.
Now it seems others have noticed this ridiculous hole in services. LibDem Transport Secretary, Alistair Carmichael MP, notes that until the Beeching era cuts the railways ran on Christmas Day. Surely running train lines in the 1950s would have required a good many more people to turn into work over Christmas given that every signal box would have had to be manned. Automation means that signalling is centralised and most trains themselves don't utilise the numbers of staff that would have been typical in the age of steam.
We've a sadly skewed sense of priorities when the importance of having a couple of fixed days off for a holiday that a great many of us don't really hold much significance in should outweigh running a national transportation network and thus cause a great deal of inconvenience for those wishing to travel during this time. As train usage rises and fondness for the CO2 emitting automobile declines, it seems like an extraordinary oversight that only ourselves and Ireland run no Christmas train services. There's no religious ground to support this transport blackout either since far more devout countries than ours run their services as normal without seemingly encountering any conflicts.
Of course raising this issue on the 21st of December isn't about to get this matter changed but at least through bringing awareness to this issue now when we can reflect on what more we might accomplish if rail services were operating over Christmas, perhaps the issue will reach the political agenda for change in the future.
Now it seems others have noticed this ridiculous hole in services. LibDem Transport Secretary, Alistair Carmichael MP, notes that until the Beeching era cuts the railways ran on Christmas Day. Surely running train lines in the 1950s would have required a good many more people to turn into work over Christmas given that every signal box would have had to be manned. Automation means that signalling is centralised and most trains themselves don't utilise the numbers of staff that would have been typical in the age of steam.
We've a sadly skewed sense of priorities when the importance of having a couple of fixed days off for a holiday that a great many of us don't really hold much significance in should outweigh running a national transportation network and thus cause a great deal of inconvenience for those wishing to travel during this time. As train usage rises and fondness for the CO2 emitting automobile declines, it seems like an extraordinary oversight that only ourselves and Ireland run no Christmas train services. There's no religious ground to support this transport blackout either since far more devout countries than ours run their services as normal without seemingly encountering any conflicts.
Of course raising this issue on the 21st of December isn't about to get this matter changed but at least through bringing awareness to this issue now when we can reflect on what more we might accomplish if rail services were operating over Christmas, perhaps the issue will reach the political agenda for change in the future.
20061217
A coherent, intelligent transport policy is needed
Back in April I began my big trip by taking a DFDS ferry from Newcastle to Gothenburg in Sweden as part of an overland route that would take me from the UK across Russia into Asia without flying. During some web surfing this evening I was dismayed to learn that this ferry service ceased in October; just the latest in a recent stream of ferry services to be cut.
The latest edition of the New Statesman offers a weighty article as to the impact of flying on the environment. However if aviation does contribute so significantly to CO2 emissions and climate changes then a more intelligent transport policy is called for than simply hiking aviation passenger taxes as seems to be the only action taken under consideration thus far.
I'm someone who enjoys flying and like many others have used it on a number of occasions to reach the continent cheaply and quickly either for breaks away or to meet friends. If the government wants us to change our flying habits as part of lowering CO2 emissions then some thought needs to be given to the possible alternative modes of transport that can be used. Within Europe especially it's increasingly commonplace for people to live and or work in other countries, therefore necessitating relatively frequent journeys to visit friends, family or to even go to the office. Not travelling is often no longer an option and simply pricing the poorest out of flying, which may seem the easiest option for the government to take is not an intelligent way to proceed.
If travel by ferry is a preferable option for the environment then the government should ensure travel by this means is actively encouraged perhaps through steps to make it more attractive in the marketplace. Reasonably pricey fares compared to those of budget airlines and naturally longer journey times are not going to be instant winners for the ferries and an inability to compete is likely the reason for the reduction in so many services in recent years. If the government is willing to grab the environment nettle it needs to give benefits to greener transport providers while simultaneously taxing the polluters. Similarly it needs to ensure that greener services are running and available for the public to use. Yet is the government willing?
Although green in words the government is clearly not sold on the issue of climate change. After all, steps to curb flying will have a significant impact on the economy. It'd have to be a government certain of the facts to make that step and while the evidence and visible climate change is stacking up the voices unconvinced by climate change remain vocal, numerous and not disrespected. Let's also not forget that Labour's ability to convince anyone of anything since the Iraq debacle has likely been terminally impaired.
If the prospect of curbing aviation usage is too prickly for the present then why not take the positive step instead of encouraging greener transportation. Begin with the carrot in changing the public's habits. If we're to get off the roads and out of the skies we need to be encouraged onto the rail and into ferries and other means of reaching our destinations. The government has no excuses not to proceed down this avenue which will in the long term be vital in an overall greener transport policy.
The latest edition of the New Statesman offers a weighty article as to the impact of flying on the environment. However if aviation does contribute so significantly to CO2 emissions and climate changes then a more intelligent transport policy is called for than simply hiking aviation passenger taxes as seems to be the only action taken under consideration thus far.
I'm someone who enjoys flying and like many others have used it on a number of occasions to reach the continent cheaply and quickly either for breaks away or to meet friends. If the government wants us to change our flying habits as part of lowering CO2 emissions then some thought needs to be given to the possible alternative modes of transport that can be used. Within Europe especially it's increasingly commonplace for people to live and or work in other countries, therefore necessitating relatively frequent journeys to visit friends, family or to even go to the office. Not travelling is often no longer an option and simply pricing the poorest out of flying, which may seem the easiest option for the government to take is not an intelligent way to proceed.
If travel by ferry is a preferable option for the environment then the government should ensure travel by this means is actively encouraged perhaps through steps to make it more attractive in the marketplace. Reasonably pricey fares compared to those of budget airlines and naturally longer journey times are not going to be instant winners for the ferries and an inability to compete is likely the reason for the reduction in so many services in recent years. If the government is willing to grab the environment nettle it needs to give benefits to greener transport providers while simultaneously taxing the polluters. Similarly it needs to ensure that greener services are running and available for the public to use. Yet is the government willing?
Although green in words the government is clearly not sold on the issue of climate change. After all, steps to curb flying will have a significant impact on the economy. It'd have to be a government certain of the facts to make that step and while the evidence and visible climate change is stacking up the voices unconvinced by climate change remain vocal, numerous and not disrespected. Let's also not forget that Labour's ability to convince anyone of anything since the Iraq debacle has likely been terminally impaired.
If the prospect of curbing aviation usage is too prickly for the present then why not take the positive step instead of encouraging greener transportation. Begin with the carrot in changing the public's habits. If we're to get off the roads and out of the skies we need to be encouraged onto the rail and into ferries and other means of reaching our destinations. The government has no excuses not to proceed down this avenue which will in the long term be vital in an overall greener transport policy.
Railways on track
They seem to receive a lot of stick but personally speaking I don't have many complaints with Virgin Trains. I took the train home from London when I arrived back from my trip and it was absolutely fine. Near enough on time and comfortable enough aside from facing backwards as did most of the seating in the carriage. Only the alarm from one of the toilets caused by someone pressing the ill-located emergency button rather than the flush button was cause for annoyance. I can't believe this problem still hasn't been solved. Surely someone could have concocted some extra labelling that would dissuade even the most unobservant from pressing the wrong button.
In any case, during my web snooping of the past few days I've unearthed some interested news and facts concerning the rail services to this part of the world. First off, a Department for Transport press release announces improved services on the West Coast Main Line (that's the London to Glasgow route) from the end of 2008. These include:
- 50% increase in frequency in London - Birmingham and London - Manchester services
- A further 30 minutes reduction in London - Glasgow journey times, so that travelling time is around 4 hours 30 minutes.
- London - Liverpool services will be 20 minutes faster than today and there with extra peak time services
- Hourly services all day between London - Liverpool; London - Preston and London - Chester
- Improvement in weekend services
Also of interest is a transfer of services 'between Birmingham - Scotland currently operated by Virgin Cross Country to Virgin West Coast from 11 November 2007. An enhanced timetable will also be put in place on these routes from December 2008 and journey times between Birmingham and Glasgow and Edinburgh via the West Coast line will be 4 hours', the likes of which will pass through Cumbria en route to Scotland.
This all sounds like good news. If the journey time from London to Glasgow is being cut by half an hour then in theory the journey times to Cumbria should become maybe 15 or 20 minutes quicker. Trips to Glasgow and Edinburgh will also be speedier. It's a couple of years away still but it seems to be movements in the right direction.
While browsing information on the local MP, who changed at the last election while I was living down south, I came across some figures for usage of Oxenholme station, given as a response to a parliamentary question by the MP.
Daily average of Cross Country Weekday Return Journeys originating at Oxenholme:
Preston - - - - - - - -60
Birmingham NS - 21
Bristol TM - - - - - 10
Plymouth - - - - - - 2
It's not terribly useful as by far the majority will use West Coast trains to Preston and London. It's intriguing that there's 10 people everyday wanting to go to Bristol.
In any case, during my web snooping of the past few days I've unearthed some interested news and facts concerning the rail services to this part of the world. First off, a Department for Transport press release announces improved services on the West Coast Main Line (that's the London to Glasgow route) from the end of 2008. These include:
- 50% increase in frequency in London - Birmingham and London - Manchester services
- A further 30 minutes reduction in London - Glasgow journey times, so that travelling time is around 4 hours 30 minutes.
- London - Liverpool services will be 20 minutes faster than today and there with extra peak time services
- Hourly services all day between London - Liverpool; London - Preston and London - Chester
- Improvement in weekend services
Also of interest is a transfer of services 'between Birmingham - Scotland currently operated by Virgin Cross Country to Virgin West Coast from 11 November 2007. An enhanced timetable will also be put in place on these routes from December 2008 and journey times between Birmingham and Glasgow and Edinburgh via the West Coast line will be 4 hours', the likes of which will pass through Cumbria en route to Scotland.
This all sounds like good news. If the journey time from London to Glasgow is being cut by half an hour then in theory the journey times to Cumbria should become maybe 15 or 20 minutes quicker. Trips to Glasgow and Edinburgh will also be speedier. It's a couple of years away still but it seems to be movements in the right direction.
While browsing information on the local MP, who changed at the last election while I was living down south, I came across some figures for usage of Oxenholme station, given as a response to a parliamentary question by the MP.
Daily average of Cross Country Weekday Return Journeys originating at Oxenholme:
Preston - - - - - - - -60
Birmingham NS - 21
Bristol TM - - - - - 10
Plymouth - - - - - - 2
It's not terribly useful as by far the majority will use West Coast trains to Preston and London. It's intriguing that there's 10 people everyday wanting to go to Bristol.
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