"Tom Anderson" wrote in message
rth.li...
Hmm.

The prospect of a new job near Syon Lane has come up. I live in Finsbury
Park and won't be moving any time soon.

Any thoughts on what commuting options look like?

I'll mention that the company runs a shuttle bus from Osterley (taking 5
minutes), and a peak-hours shuttle from Gunnersbury (whose timetable i
cannot decipher - possibly goes backwards through time?). Also, that i
like cycling, although not enough to cycle 18 miles twice a day.

Off the top of my head:

Piccadilly from Finsbury Park to Osterley, bus to the office. That's 50-60
minutes on the tube, and 5 on the bus. Standing from Finsbury Park; i
might get a seat at, what, Leicester Square?

Victoria from Finsbury Park to Vauxhall, train to Syon Lane, walk to the
office. That's 20 minutes on the tube, with some hope of a seat past
Oxford Circus, some amount of waiting, then 30 minutes on the train, i
imagine with an excellent chance of a seat.

Victoria (or Great Northern) from Finsbury Park to Highbury & Islington,
North London on to Gunnersbury, bus to the office. That's a short hop on
the tube, then 37 minutes on the overground, then some unknown time on the
bus; no idea if i might get a seat.

Folding bike from Finsbury Park to Gospel Oak, North London to
Gunnersbury, unfolded bike to the office. That's 2.6 miles cycling at one
end, half an hour on the train, then 2.9 miles at the other end (on roads
of uncertain enjoyability). I would at least be guaranteed a seat for 5.5
miles of the journey.

Any other options to consider? Do any of these have unforeseen pitfalls?

I currently work 4.5 miles from home, and cycle. None of these options are
remotely as good .

tom

--
Or is it? It's hard to tell if making a loss in a transformative business
is a bad thing. -- Nutty

Why not train to Kings X - no chance of seat (or is there, how many get off
at FP?), cycle to Waterloo and train to Syon Lane? At first glance the
trip from KX to Waterloo is only 3 miles and as you explore alternatives
you'll get off the main arteries no doubt and if you have to be at work by
the traditional 0900 you'll be doing that part of the trip out of the
absolute worst of the rush (but you won't miss it, I accept).

Reports suggest the loadings on the NLL are now very good and with only
longitudinal seats there aren't that many actual seats.

Unless the move is not voluntary (and I apologise for preaching to the
converted here) makes sure (1) your extra commuting cost is covered by any
change in salary (unless this is a step up with expectations of later salary
improvement) (2) that you can deal with the extra time out of your day - I
went from a 10 minute walk to a 15 minute walk/15 minute train/2 minute walk
and even that was a nuisance.