On Wed, 06 Sep 2006 17:51:34 GMT, "Penny Farthing"
wrote:

Hi all

I do not use public transport that much and I have never used it in the rush
hour. To be honest I am petrified, but short of paying out a couple of
hundred quid on cabs I am left with no choice.

Next month I have to travel from Hackbridge to Farringdon for 2 days for a
conference. I have to be there before 9am. I have looked at the trains and
it appears I can get a Capital Connect train but they do not seem to run
direct at that time of day. It seems that I will have to change at Tulse
Hill in a 5 minute time window. Can anyone help with the following:

What is Tulse Hill like? How many platforms? Do you know what platform I
will have to change to? Can I do it in 5 minutes? (Bearing in mind I will be
petrified if it is crowded)

Not 100% sure but I think Tulse Hill has an island platform (a track on
each side) for northbound trains and one for southbound ones so you will
not have to cross between platforms via bridges or subways. You'll
either stay on the same platform or just cross to the opposite side of
the island.

I think you need to accept that travel at that time of day will be busy
and the old Thameslink route (now FCC) is one of the very busiest lines.
If that is going to freak you out then you may wish to travel earlier
and simply find a coffee bar or cafe to chill out in at Farringdon -
there are loads in the area.

Can I buy my ticket in advance? Can I buy it from another station?
(Wallington is nearer) Is it a one day travelcard that I will need for
about 6 pounds?

Yes you can buy in advance but make sure you say very clearly what day
you wish to travel or else the clerk will issue it for the day on which
you purchase it.

Yes you can buy from another station but you will need to make clear the
start and end points. Try to go to the station at a quieter time as this
is a slightly more complex transaction than normal.

A check on the NR website shows the fare as £5.30 Standard Day Return.
This only covers you between your start and end point for one return
trip. As you are travelling in the peak a Peak One Day Travelcard would
be £12.40 - only buy this is you are going to make a lot of other bus
and tube rides that day.

It seems the return trains go direct. Why is it the morning rush hour trains
don't? I think I could go direct from East Croydon but I can park more
cheaply at Hackbridge.

Return trains do run direct. There are capacity problems on the south
london rail network and it is not always possible to provide enough
slots for trains - the direct thameslink service from the Sutton loop is
one of those services that has a variable service pattern (different
mornings and evenings).

Sorry for being a thicko and thanks in advance for any help.:-)

It's perfectly understandable that people are reluctant about travelling
in the peak as it is busy and crowded. I travel early to try to avoid
the worst of the crush both ways but not everyone has that option.

Simply give yourself lots of time on the day, don't get flustered and
try your best to "go with the flow".

As a contingency in case things go wrong take an A-Z and try to get a
bus map (from West Croydon bus station's info desk) - these will then
give you the option to see where bus routes go, where the tube and train
stations are. I find it is always best to keep moving if you faced with
disruption - it is the "getting stuck" bit of delays that causes the
frustration.

HTH - if I've got Tulse Hill wrong I'm sure someone will pop up and
correct me.
--
Paul C


Admits to working for London Underground!