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Oxford to London commute - ridiculous??
Hi all,
I'm new here but I hope someone can help me decide if this is a ridiculous suggestion or not! I currently live in NW London and have a job offer in Oxford. The job would be better and I'm thinking I'd prefer the lifestyle over there. I don't think I could hack the commute out to Oxford everyday, as it's not like I live near Paddington anyway. The bf has said he's happy to commute from Oxford (providing we live nr the station) to the City everyday, but I'm not sure he's thought it through! Has anyone experience of this and how tiring/horrific it actually might be?? Any advice really appreciated. Thanks so much!! |
Oxford to London commute - ridiculous??
Manoonga85 gurgled happily,
sounding much like they were saying: The bf has said he's happy to commute from Oxford (providing we live nr the station) to the City everyday, but I'm not sure he's thought it through! As well as the trains, http://www.oxfordtube.com/ coaches are a common sight on the M40. |
Oxford to London commute - ridiculous??
"Manoonga85" wrote in message ... Hi all, I'm new here but I hope someone can help me decide if this is a ridiculous suggestion or not! I currently live in NW London and have a job offer in Oxford. The job would be better and I'm thinking I'd prefer the lifestyle over there. I don't think I could hack the commute out to Oxford everyday, as it's not like I live near Paddington anyway. The bf has said he's happy to commute from Oxford (providing we live nr the station) to the City everyday, but I'm not sure he's thought it through! Has anyone experience of this and how tiring/horrific it actually might be?? Any advice really appreciated. Thanks so much!! -- Manoonga85 It's an hour give or take on the train to Paddington. I have to say I would think twice about it. But then how long does it take him now and does he get a seat? Once he gets used to the trains he'll probably discover which ones he can get a seat on. I suppose you could split the difference and live in Didcot or Reading but neither is particularly attractive when compared to the dreaming spires. Mind you, Oxford isn't all University - Blackbird Leas (Lees?) isn't attractive. If you can afford it go to somewhere like Goring and Streatley. The journey time to London is still about an hour but lifestyle wise there's no contest in my view. |
Oxford to London commute - ridiculous??
In message , Manoonga85
writes I currently live in NW London and have a job offer in Oxford. The job would be better and I'm thinking I'd prefer the lifestyle over there. I don't think I could hack the commute out to Oxford everyday, as it's not like I live near Paddington anyway. If you currently live within easy reach of Hillingdon, there are VERY frequent coach services between there and the centre of Oxford, run by the Oxford Tube and the Oxford Espress. Takes about an hour, and much cheaper than the train via Paddington. -- Paul Terry |
Oxford to London commute - ridiculous??
[original thread on uk.transport.london]
[cross-posted to uk.railway] "Manoonga85" wrote: Hi all, I'm new here but I hope someone can help me decide if this is a ridiculous suggestion or not! I currently live in NW London and have a job offer in Oxford. The job would be better and I'm thinking I'd prefer the lifestyle over there. I don't think I could hack the commute out to Oxford everyday, as it's not like I live near Paddington anyway. The bf has said he's happy to commute from Oxford (providing we live nr the station) to the City everyday, but I'm not sure he's thought it through! Has anyone experience of this and how tiring/horrific it actually might be?? Any advice really appreciated. Thanks so much!! I'm going to take the liberty of crossposting this to the uk.railway newsgroup - I'm not sure if that's a sensible move or not on my part, but it just might be a way of getting a bit more of an input with regards to the Oxford-Paddington element. First off I'll make the requisite reference to the two high-quality frequent coach services that run between Oxford and London, the Oxford Tube http://www.oxfordtube.com/ and the Oxford Espress http://www.oxfordbus.co.uk/main.php?page_id=27. They're good, very popular, and have various arguable advantages over the train - however as the Oxford Tube website states, "Approximate travel time 100 minutes - longer during rush hours" - and I do get the impression that congestion is a problem at peak times. If I was thinking about this commute (during 'normal' commuting times) I think like you (or rather your fella) I'd be looking at the train. That said it's worth noting that people do commute using these coach services (might even work ok if he has an early start) - with some joining at Thornhill Park & Ride on the edge of Oxford and also Lewknor, a village next to the M40 motorway (not sure about the latest on parking issues at Lewknor, and it's possible that Thornhill P&R might not be free forever, at least not for those travelling into London on the coaches). Anyhow that's the coach option. On the trains the service is provided by a mix of rather poxy 'Turbo' trains and also more comfortable HSTs (which stands for high speed trains), which you might recognise as 'Intercity 125s' (or might not!) - these are longer trains so have more capacity. During peak commuting times HSTs provide the bulk of the Oxford-Paddington fast service - you can see what type of train is supposed to run a particular service by looking for the "H" symbol (in a circle) in the timetable booklet - the timetable you want is number 16, and it's available as a PDF he http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=5190 He'd be joining a large throng of people making the journey from Paddington to the City - normal route would be via the Circle or H&C line towards Moorgate or wherever, an alternative is walking around the corner from Paddington to Lancaster Gate tube station and then catching the Central Line eastwards, though that's going to be pretty busy too. Or else cycle - either hire a 'Boris Bike' (though again they'll be in demand from docking stations near Paddington), get a fold-up bike, or permanently station a bike at Paddington (note that the bike racks there are pretty well patronised too). Certainly worth giving it proper consideration. Don't think I could hack it, but there are many people out there doing longer commutes. (I very vaguely know someone who does the reverse commute - from London to Oxford - which they do by coach, but it's a somewhat different kettle of fish as it's both contra-peak flow and they only do it three days a week.) |
Oxford to London commute - ridiculous??
On Jan 26, 5:33*pm, "Mizter T" wrote:
Certainly worth giving it proper consideration. Don't think I could hack it, but there are many people out there doing longer commutes. (I very vaguely know someone who does the reverse commute - from London to Oxford - which they do by coach, but it's a somewhat different kettle of fish as it's both contra-peak flow and they only do it three days a week.) I've done MK/Bletchley to near Tower Bridge which at most times is near enough 2 hours door to door. Didn't have a major issue with it except when the railway went through a bad patch and cancellations/ short formations were common. Oxford is a slightly longer journey, but I'm not sure I'd write it off. Though I'm fairly sure I would do it by train, not coach[1], unless money was the only consideration. [1] I have done it by coach once, as I had to stay over one night at the John Radcliffe hospital for a sleep study and the coach passed nearby. It was workable, but *slow*, and needed an early start, though I forget exactly what time it was. I think the time to get up involved 05xx, which is not something I like to do every day. Neil |
Oxford to London commute - ridiculous??
"Mizter T" wrote: [original thread on uk.transport.london] [cross-posted to uk.railway] "Manoonga85" wrote: Hi all, I'm new here but I hope someone can help me decide if this is a ridiculous suggestion or not! I currently live in NW London and have a job offer in Oxford. The job would be better and I'm thinking I'd prefer the lifestyle over there. I don't think I could hack the commute out to Oxford everyday, as it's not like I live near Paddington anyway. [snip] First off I'll make the requisite reference to the two high-quality frequent coach services that run between Oxford and London, the Oxford Tube http://www.oxfordtube.com/ and the Oxford Espress http://www.oxfordbus.co.uk/main.php?page_id=27. [big snip] As Paul Terry has quite rightly pointed out (on the utl version of this thread), both Oxford coach services stop at Hillingdon (both ways), which is of course in NW London. (Indeed I've done this myself once - obviously losing my marbles!) Only downside to this arrangement is that somewhat inexplicably there's no bus shelter for the Oxford-bound coach stop - and there's no other sheltering opportunities nearby either. That's something that really could do with being remedied. |
Oxford to London commute - ridiculous??
"Paul Terry" wrote: In message , Manoonga85 writes I currently live in NW London and have a job offer in Oxford. The job would be better and I'm thinking I'd prefer the lifestyle over there. I don't think I could hack the commute out to Oxford everyday, as it's not like I live near Paddington anyway. If you currently live within easy reach of Hillingdon, there are VERY frequent coach services between there and the centre of Oxford, run by the Oxford Tube and the Oxford Espress. Takes about an hour, and much cheaper than the train via Paddington. Embarrassed to say I overlooked this option in my reply - I think I'd sort of taken it that the OP had half-settled on the move to Oxford so I only really considered the journey in the other direction. |
Oxford to London commute - ridiculous??
On Jan 26, 4:46*pm, "Mizter T" wrote:
"Mizter T" wrote: [original thread on uk.transport.london] [cross-posted to uk.railway] "Manoonga85" wrote: Hi all, I'm new here but I hope someone can help me decide if this is a ridiculous suggestion or not! I currently live in NW London and have a job offer in Oxford. The job would be better and I'm thinking I'd prefer the lifestyle over there. I don't think I could hack the commute out to Oxford everyday, as it's not like I live near Paddington anyway. [snip] First off I'll make the requisite reference to the two high-quality frequent coach services that run between Oxford and London, the Oxford Tube http://www.oxfordtube.com/ and the Oxford Espress http://www.oxfordbus.co.uk/main.php?page_id=27. [big snip] As Paul Terry has quite rightly pointed out (on the utl version of this thread), both Oxford coach services stop at Hillingdon (both ways), which is of course in NW London. (Indeed I've done this myself once - obviously losing my marbles!) Only downside to this arrangement is that somewhat inexplicably there's no bus shelter for the Oxford-bound coach stop - and there's no other sheltering opportunities nearby either. That's something that really could do with being remedied. I would say Hillingdon is west London, not NW - if the OP actually lives in (say) Stanmore it would be rather a long way away. Stuart J |
Oxford to London commute - ridiculous??
In uk.transport.london Mizter T wrote:
I'm going to take the liberty of crossposting this to the uk.railway newsgroup - I'm not sure if that's a sensible move or not on my part, but it just might be a way of getting a bit more of an input with regards to the Oxford-Paddington element. It might also be worth pointing out that there's another route to Oxford currently at the planning permission stage, using the line to Bicester then a new junction joining the Chiltern line to Marylebone: http://www.chiltern-evergreen3.co.uk/ I don't know the latest timescales on the project, but it's probably a few years off opening. They're good, very popular, and have various arguable advantages over the train - however as the Oxford Tube website states, "Approximate travel time 100 minutes - longer during rush hours" - and I do get the impression that congestion is a problem at peak times. If I was thinking about this commute (during 'normal' commuting times) I think like you (or rather your fella) I'd be looking at the train. That said it's worth noting that people do commute using these coach services (might even work ok if he has an early start) - with some joining at Thornhill Park & Ride on the edge of Oxford and also Lewknor, a village next to the M40 motorway (not sure about the latest on parking issues at Lewknor, and it's possible that Thornhill P&R might not be free forever, at least not for those travelling into London on the coaches). Anyhow that's the coach option. I don't know the Tube/Espress specifically[1], but often buses into London are reasonably quick until the end of the motorway, then spend an age faffing about to get to Victoria. For example Cambridge buses take about an hour to get down the M11 to Stratford, then another hour from there to Victoria. Depending on where he works in London, it might be worth bailing at Hillingdon or Baker St (say) then taking the tube (or cycling). [1] Neither give times for intermediate stops on their websites Theo |
Oxford to London commute - ridiculous??
On Wed, 26 Jan 2011 16:52:32 -0000
"Mizter T" wrote: Embarrassed to say I overlooked this option in my reply - I think I'd sort of taken it that the OP had half-settled on the move to Oxford so I only really considered the journey in the other direction. Anyone commuting to london from oxford by coach in the rush hour needs their head examining. The queues on the A40 are legendary and thats before you hit the solid central london traffic. Coaches should be left to skint students. B2003 |
Oxford to London commute - ridiculous??
"Neil Williams" wrote: [MK-Bletchley commute] Oxford is a slightly longer journey, but I'm not sure I'd write it off. Though I'm fairly sure I would do it by train, not coach[1], unless money was the only consideration. [1] I have done it by coach once, as I had to stay over one night at the John Radcliffe hospital for a sleep study and the coach passed nearby. It was workable, but *slow*, and needed an early start, though I forget exactly what time it was. I think the time to get up involved 05xx, which is not something I like to do every day. Just to be clear, you used it from Oxford to London then? Just curious about how an early start meshed with the sleep study! |
Oxford to London commute - ridiculous??
On Jan 26, 6:04*pm, "Mizter T" wrote:
Just to be clear, you used it from Oxford to London then? Yep. Just curious about how an early start meshed with the sleep study! I told them about it and they didn't mind, it was to see if I had sleep apnoea (turned out I don't though it is a rather complicated story!) so they only needed a couple of hours solid sleep to do it. Neil |
Oxford to London commute - ridiculous??
Mizter T wrote:
Certainly worth giving it proper consideration. Definitely. I commuted from Charlbury (two stops beyond Oxford) to London for a while, and the train was a delight as long as you didn't get too worked up by FGW's occasional infelicities. Comfortable train, no problem getting a seat, and plenty fast enough. FGW appear to be going through a rough patch punctuality-wise at the moment but are generally copable with. It was the cross-London journey that did for it for me - I can't stand the tube and cycling round Hyde Park Corner was no fun either. But if you're more used to London commuting you may not find this an issue. Richard |
Oxford to London commute - ridiculous??
On Jan 26, 4:56 pm, StuartJ wrote: On Jan 26, 4:46 pm, "Mizter T" wrote: [big snip] As Paul Terry has quite rightly pointed out (on the utl version of this thread), both Oxford coach services stop at Hillingdon (both ways), which is of course in NW London. (Indeed I've done this myself once - obviously losing my marbles!) Only downside to this arrangement is that somewhat inexplicably there's no bus shelter for the Oxford-bound coach stop - and there's no other sheltering opportunities nearby either. That's something that really could do with being remedied. I would say Hillingdon is west London, not NW - if the OP actually lives in (say) Stanmore it would be rather a long way away. Very fair point - a combination of the lack of geographical anchorage of the Tube 'map' (which I'm always preaching against trusting in this regard!), the expansive nature of the NW postcode area versus the W (neither of which of course stretch out anything as far as Hillingdon, but I mentally extend them out when divvying up the metropolis into compass points), and the fact that the M40 heads to points north west (such as Oxford) just makes me rather sloppily place it in north west London in my mind - but I stand duly corrected. |
Oxford to London commute - ridiculous??
wrote: On Wed, 26 Jan 2011 16:52:32 -0000 "Mizter T" wrote: Embarrassed to say I overlooked this option in my reply - I think I'd sort of taken it that the OP had half-settled on the move to Oxford so I only really considered the journey in the other direction. Anyone commuting to london from oxford by coach in the rush hour needs their head examining. The queues on the A40 are legendary and thats before you hit the solid central london traffic. Once you take your comprehension classes you'll realise we were actually talking about travelling *from* London (well Hillingdon) *to* Oxford here. |
Oxford to London commute - ridiculous??
"Theo Markettos" wrote: In uk.transport.london Mizter T wrote: I'm going to take the liberty of crossposting this to the uk.railway newsgroup - I'm not sure if that's a sensible move or not on my part, but it just might be a way of getting a bit more of an input with regards to the Oxford-Paddington element. It might also be worth pointing out that there's another route to Oxford currently at the planning permission stage, using the line to Bicester then a new junction joining the Chiltern line to Marylebone: http://www.chiltern-evergreen3.co.uk/ I don't know the latest timescales on the project, but it's probably a few years off opening. Yes - didn't mention it as it's not happening imminently, but perhaps a reassurance in the longer term in terms of Oxford's connectivity to London. (Interesting to note discussion in another uk.r thread over how DB, owners of Chiltern, supposedly took fright of the Evergreen 3 project and tried to back away from it, but apparently it's all locked-in contractually speaking.) They're good, very popular, and have various arguable advantages over the train - however as the Oxford Tube website states, "Approximate travel time 100 minutes - longer during rush hours" - and I do get the impression that congestion is a problem at peak times. If I was thinking about this commute (during 'normal' commuting times) I think like you (or rather your fella) I'd be looking at the train. That said it's worth noting that people do commute using these coach services (might even work ok if he has an early start) - with some joining at Thornhill Park & Ride on the edge of Oxford and also Lewknor, a village next to the M40 motorway (not sure about the latest on parking issues at Lewknor, and it's possible that Thornhill P&R might not be free forever, at least not for those travelling into London on the coaches). Anyhow that's the coach option. I don't know the Tube/Espress specifically[1], but often buses into London are reasonably quick until the end of the motorway, then spend an age faffing about to get to Victoria. For example Cambridge buses take about an hour to get down the M11 to Stratford, then another hour from there to Victoria. Depending on where he works in London, it might be worth bailing at Hillingdon or Baker St (say) then taking the tube (or cycling). [1] Neither give times for intermediate stops on their websites Hillingdon to say Moorgate (for the City) on the Metropolitan line is itself a bit of a schlep, taking almost an hour. As you suggest, if one was taking the Espress and heading to the City I imagine it'd be the done thing to bail at Baker Street then take the Underground (or else find a hire bike) - if on the Oxford Tube then one could bail out at Shepherd's Bush for the Central line. |
Oxford to London commute - ridiculous??
"Richard Fairhurst" wrote: Mizter T wrote: Certainly worth giving it proper consideration. Definitely. I commuted from Charlbury (two stops beyond Oxford) to London for a while, and the train was a delight as long as you didn't get too worked up by FGW's occasional infelicities. Comfortable train, no problem getting a seat, and plenty fast enough. FGW appear to be going through a rough patch punctuality-wise at the moment but are generally copable with. It was the cross-London journey that did for it for me - I can't stand the tube and cycling round Hyde Park Corner was no fun either. But if you're more used to London commuting you may not find this an issue. These days there's a well patronised cycle route which crosses right across Hyde Park Corner from the NW to the SE sides (i.e. from Hyde Park through Wellington Arch then across to Constitution Hill), replete with cycle phases on the traffic lights. |
Oxford to London commute - ridiculous??
On 26/01/2011 16:33, Mizter T wrote:
[original thread on uk.transport.london] [cross-posted to uk.railway] "Manoonga85" wrote: Hi all, I'm new here but I hope someone can help me decide if this is a ridiculous suggestion or not! I currently live in NW London and have a job offer in Oxford. The job would be better and I'm thinking I'd prefer the lifestyle over there. I don't think I could hack the commute out to Oxford everyday, as it's not like I live near Paddington anyway. The bf has said he's happy to commute from Oxford (providing we live nr the station) to the City everyday, but I'm not sure he's thought it through! Has anyone experience of this and how tiring/horrific it actually might be?? Any advice really appreciated. Thanks so much!! I'm going to take the liberty of crossposting this to the uk.railway newsgroup - I'm not sure if that's a sensible move or not on my part, but it just might be a way of getting a bit more of an input with regards to the Oxford-Paddington element. Well, if the job has long term prospects, I would suggest that the least stressful option would be to consider moving out of London and find somewhere to live in or near Oxford. Although few places have really cheap housing these days, Oxford should be less expensive than living in London. And if you like London "entertainments" etc., Oxford is close enough for to make occasional day trips to London after you have finished work. Bevan |
Oxford to London commute - ridiculous??
And if you like London "entertainments" etc., Oxford is close enough for to make occasional day trips to London after you have finished work. Bevan That's true. I have a son living in Oxford and working just outside and he seems to spend evenings in London on a regular basis. He seems to use both buses and trains, I'm not sure what his criteria are for choosing one over the other. |
Oxford to London commute - ridiculous??
"Bevan Price" wrote in message
... Well, if the job has long term prospects, I would suggest that the least stressful option would be to consider moving out of London and find somewhere to live in or near Oxford. Although few places have really cheap housing these days, Oxford should be less expensive than living in London. My mate used to live in Didcot and worked at Blackbird Leys in Oxford - the drive up wasn't too bad in the morning and his occasional training courses in Willesden were apparently easy enough to get to, either by train or by car. A suitable compromise? It's not the most exciting of spots, I grant you, but it seems like an OK place to live and Paddington's 45 mins away with a train about every 10 mins in the peak. |
Oxford to London commute - ridiculous??
On Jan 26, 10:44 pm, "Graham Harrison" wrote: And if you like London "entertainments" etc., Oxford is close enough for to make occasional day trips to London after you have finished work. That's true. I have a son living in Oxford and working just outside and he seems to spend evenings in London on a regular basis. He seems to use both buses and trains, I'm not sure what his criteria are for choosing one over the other. If it's going to be a late one, or possibly involve an overnight stay in the Great Wen, then the coach is quite likely the winner - the Oxford Tube runs all night, whilst the Espress runs till pretty late before taking a break for four hours in the midst of the night. Worth noting that all return fares are valid the next day as well (there's a 3 month period return too). Meanwhile last train from Paddington to Oxford is at 0022, which is still pretty good (and it's not some all shacks stopper either). Timetables... http://www.oxfordtube.com/tubetimes.php http://www.oxfordbus.co.uk/main.php?page_id=28 Price wise the coach wins at GBP16 day/next-day return (both OxTube & Espress), until you introduce a Railcard discount which actually makes an off-peak return by train a smidgeon cheaper (both Day & period return) - though on both the Espress and OxTube there are 12 trip carnet tickets priced at GBP 70/72, so that works out at either GBP 6 or just under for each single trip. Further complicating factors include a bundled Off-peak Day Travelcard being available for a pound extra when using a Railcard, and whether or not either the outward or return journeys might be taking place during the weekday morning peak. |
Oxford to London commute - ridiculous??
On Wed, 26 Jan 2011 16:11:21 -0800 (PST), Mizter T
wrote: Espress), until you introduce a Railcard discount The coaches have also offered Railcard (maybe only YP) in the past, may still do. Neil -- Neil Williams, Milton Keynes, UK |
Oxford to London commute - ridiculous??
On Wed, 26 Jan 2011 17:32:14 -0000
"Mizter T" wrote: wrote: On Wed, 26 Jan 2011 16:52:32 -0000 "Mizter T" wrote: Embarrassed to say I overlooked this option in my reply - I think I'd sort of taken it that the OP had half-settled on the move to Oxford so I only really considered the journey in the other direction. Anyone commuting to london from oxford by coach in the rush hour needs their head examining. The queues on the A40 are legendary and thats before you hit the solid central london traffic. Once you take your comprehension classes you'll realise we were actually talking about travelling *from* London (well Hillingdon) *to* Oxford here. From the original post: "The bf has said he's happy to commute from Oxford (providing we live nr the station) to the City everyday, but I'm not sure he's thought it through!" Sorry , what was that you were saying about comprehension? B2003 |
Oxford to London commute - ridiculous??
"Alan" wrote:
"Bevan Price" wrote in message ... Well, if the job has long term prospects, I would suggest that the least stressful option would be to consider moving out of London and find somewhere to live in or near Oxford. Although few places have really cheap housing these days, Oxford should be less expensive than living in London. My mate used to live in Didcot and worked at Blackbird Leys in Oxford - the drive up wasn't too bad in the morning and his occasional training courses in Willesden were apparently easy enough to get to, either by train or by car. A suitable compromise? It's not the most exciting of spots, I grant you, but it seems like an OK place to live and Paddington's 45 mins away with a train about every 10 mins in the peak. Didcot is an absolutely disgusting 'chav town'. It certainly isn't somewhere that professional people would choose to live. The train service is good but the park and ride facility is poor. The car park is distant from the station; in adverse weather, the exposed walking route between the two is unpleasant. The car park quickly fills up from the station end in the morning peak making the walk even longer. Avoid. |
Oxford to London commute - ridiculous??
On 26 Jan, 16:57, wrote:
On Wed, 26 Jan 2011 16:52:32 -0000 "Mizter T" wrote: Embarrassed to say I overlooked this option in my reply - I think I'd sort of taken it that the OP had half-settled on the move to Oxford so I only really considered the journey in the other direction. Anyone commuting to london from oxford by coach in the rush hour needs their head examining. The queues on the A40 are legendary and thats before you hit the solid central london traffic. Coaches should be left to skint students. B2003 Perhaps we should have a team of shrinks on every Oxford Tube/Espress coach into London then? Most users seem to be commuters not students. In any case we were talking about going in the opposite direction, ie London to Oxford in the morning. |
Oxford to London commute - ridiculous??
On Thu, 27 Jan 2011 10:41:00 -0000
"Mizter T" wrote: Below is Paul Terry's reply - the OP says she doesn't think she could hack the commute from London to Oxford as she doesn't live near Paddington, and blah blah pendant pedant blah blah ... Yaaaaaaawwwwnnnnnn .... B2003 |
Oxford to London commute - ridiculous??
On Thu, 27 Jan 2011 02:52:32 -0800 (PST)
George wrote: Perhaps we should have a team of shrinks on every Oxford Tube/Espress coach into London then? Most users seem to be commuters not students. No doubt including you otherwise how would you know? I doubt they travel all the way into central london unless they like sitting in traffic jams. Sometimes paying extra for the train really is worth it. B2003 |
Oxford to London commute - ridiculous??
On Jan 27, 9:31*pm, Paul Corfield wrote: On Thu, 27 Jan 2011 11:00:34 +0000 (UTC), wrote: On Thu, 27 Jan 2011 02:52:32 -0800 (PST) George wrote: Perhaps we should have a team of shrinks on every Oxford Tube/Espress coach into London then? Most users seem to be commuters not students. No doubt including you otherwise how would you know? Well George does get around but not sure he's done London - Oxford or even Oxford - London on a regular basis. I doubt they travel all the way into central london unless they like sitting in traffic jams. Sometimes paying extra for the train really is worth it. If people don't commute then I wonder why Stagecoach - not exactly known for unnecessary largesse - provide wifi, free newspapers and breakfast on board morning departures from Oxford to London. *They also offer season tickets and will combine them with a London Travelcard for regular travellers. I don't see that being a regular student purchase. Far be it for me to correct an esteemed poster such as yourself... well, actually I'm afraid that's exactly what I'm going to have to do! The free breakfast unfortunately got dropped sometime last year (I think) - the free newspapers remain (Independent only - but I dunno if there was ever any choice?), as of course does the free wifi (the competing Espress has that these days too) - see http:// www.oxfordtube.com/benefits.html. I dunno about arrangements in the past for a combo Oxford Tube and London Travelcard season ticket, but if that was once on offer it ain't any more these days - but of course, these days most regular commuters coming in to London on the Oxford Tube/Espress would in all likelihood find Oyster PAYG more suitable for their onward LU journey across London Though none of that undermines you underlying point - the £1,160 annual or £2,120 biennial season tickets offered by Oxford Tube aren't likely to be a regular student purchase (though I guess a postgrad or two might have bought them). While I don't disagree with you that train commuting may be more viable or that the M40 / A40 might resemble hell in the rush hour that doesn't mean people do not use the coaches. * Oxford - London is a rare example of coaches having really grown the market for travel and where competition does seem to keep both operators on their toes. *I'm not sure that First Great Western care one jot because they're there to run the franchise the government has specified come what may. Agree with the essence of all that. I think, looking at the respective coach and rail fares, it's possible to detect a subtle degree of acknowledgement on the part of FGW to the existence of the coach services in the way the rail fares are priced. One interesting question that springs to mind (and I'm sure it's not original) is whether or not the existence of the coach services might have actually held back the development of the train service from Oxford to London - on the one hand I can see an argument that it might have done so (e.g. there would otherwise have been a greater clamour for a better train service), whilst on the other hand one can postulate that it wouldn't really have made much if any difference. However I think one can certainly make an argument about the impact of the coach link on Oxford - these ultra-frequent services have no doubt been a factor when it comes to people making decisions about where to live and work... which is where this thread began! (Though I rather suspect we've all managed to scare off the OP!) A couple of final thoughts... one (again hardly original) is to wonder whether (and if so how) the new Chiltern Railways link from London to Oxford might affect the viability of the coach services (some way off, but ultimately I doubt it'd present a major challenge to the business model). Second thought is to wonder whether the positive impression of a really decent coach service might have rubbed off on a few of the Oxbridge alumni who have (and yet will) go on to assume positions of influence later in life, and whether there might be any 'Oxford Tube effect' in the decisions they might help mould and make. Though perhaps their memory is just of puking out the door at Lewknor Turn. |
Oxford to London commute - ridiculous??
On 27 Jan, 11:00, wrote:
On Thu, 27 Jan 2011 02:52:32 -0800 (PST) George wrote: Perhaps we should have a team of shrinks on every Oxford Tube/Espress coach into London then? Most users seem to be commuters not students. No doubt including you otherwise how would you know? I doubt they travel all the way into central london unless they like sitting in traffic jams. Sometimes paying extra for the train really is worth it. B2003 Well I was at Marble Arch around 18.00 the other day and most Oxford Tubes heading out of town did look rather full, perhaps they were all just very well dressed mature students on board? Likewise there are a lot of 'mature students' commuting into Central London by coach from North Kent, these services have the added bonus of serving Canary Wharf en route. |
Oxford to London commute - ridiculous??
On Fri, 28 Jan 2011 06:18:39 -0800 (PST)
George wrote: Well I was at Marble Arch around 18.00 the other day and most Oxford Tubes heading out of town did look rather full, perhaps they were all just very well dressed mature students on board? Likewise there are a lot of 'mature students' commuting into Central London by coach from North Kent, these services have the added bonus of serving Canary Wharf en route. Well there is a recession on. Needs must and so on... Personally I'd have to be almost broke to commute on a long distance bus in the rush hour into london. B2003 |
Oxford to London commute - ridiculous??
I currently live in NW London and have a job offer in Oxford. The job
would be better and I'm thinking I'd prefer the lifestyle over there. I don't think I could hack the commute out to Oxford everyday, as it's not like I live near Paddington anyway. The bf has said he's happy to commute from Oxford (providing we live nr the station) to the City everyday, but I'm not sure he's thought it through! Has anyone experience of this and how tiring/horrific it actually might be?? While I most of the advantages/disadvantages have been laid out, and I've no personal experience of the commute from Oxford to London, I *can* say that I spent a good few years living in zone 2, and commuting out into darkest Hertfordshire on a daily basis, and I greatly enjoyed travelling on a completely empty train in both directions, able to stretch out in a silent carriage, able to read a broadsheet paper, and drink my coffee with almost no disturbance. Also, travelling against the flow sometimes has the advantage of getting better deals in terms of your season ticket - WAGN used to offer a 'flexi- time' ticket, which meant you couldn't use it heading towards London before 9:30 in the morning - so I saved quite a sizeable amount on a regular season ticket. So don't necessarily rule out trying to find a way to live in London and work in Oxford - I'm guessing from your username that you're 25/26 years old, and surely living in London at that age is likely to be MILES more fun than living and working in Oxford? As for your boyfriend and him travelling into London, I have a mate who did the Oxford to Victoria 'tube' journey, and swore by it - though he was able to doze on the coach. |
Oxford to London commute - ridiculous??
On Wed, 26 Jan 2011, Manoonga85 wrote:
I currently live in NW London and have a job offer in Oxford. The job would be better and I'm thinking I'd prefer the lifestyle over there. I don't think I could hack the commute out to Oxford everyday, as it's not like I live near Paddington anyway. If you can get to Hillingdon, there are a couple of coach lines that call there on their way from London to Oxford - the Oxford Tube and the Oxford Espresso or something daft like that (used to be called the X90). When i worked in Oxford (in Headington, specifically), i had a colleague who commuted from London that way. Struck me as potty, but she did it. The bf has said he's happy to commute from Oxford (providing we live nr the station) to the City everyday, but I'm not sure he's thought it through! I commuted from Colchester to the South Bank for a while, and that was fairly horrible. Oxford to the City, via Paddington, would be rather worse, i think. I suppose he could do the above route in reverse - coach to Headington, Metropolitan line to work. That would probably take longer than train/tube, but it might be less stressful. It should be substantially cheaper. Can you put the move off until after Crossrail is finished? :) tom -- megaptera novae angliae, soundwork chris draper, push, pull, open, .. |
Oxford to London commute - ridiculous??
On 26/01/11 16:56, Theo Markettos wrote:
In uk.transport.london Mizter T wrote: I'm going to take the liberty of crossposting this to the uk.railway newsgroup - I'm not sure if that's a sensible move or not on my part, but it just might be a way of getting a bit more of an input with regards to the Oxford-Paddington element. It might also be worth pointing out that there's another route to Oxford currently at the planning permission stage, using the line to Bicester then a new junction joining the Chiltern line to Marylebone: http://www.chiltern-evergreen3.co.uk/ I don't know the latest timescales on the project, but it's probably a few years off opening. It's meant to be opening at the end of 2013, and in the past Chiltern have had a good record for finishing projects on time. It's worth noting that many people who live near Oxford drive to Bicester North and catch the train to Marylebone from there. These trains should be getting 10 minutes faster from May. Roger |
Oxford to London commute - ridiculous??
"Roger Lynn" wrote in message
... On 26/01/11 16:56, Theo Markettos wrote: It might also be worth pointing out that there's another route to Oxford currently at the planning permission stage, using the line to Bicester then a new junction joining the Chiltern line to Marylebone: http://www.chiltern-evergreen3.co.uk/ I don't know the latest timescales on the project, but it's probably a few years off opening. It's meant to be opening at the end of 2013, and in the past Chiltern have had a good record for finishing projects on time. It's worth noting that many people who live near Oxford drive to Bicester North and catch the train to Marylebone from there. These trains should be getting 10 minutes faster from May. When the Bicester curve opens, how will the journey time from Oxford to Marylebone compare with that from Oxford to Paddington via Didcot? How do the distances compare, too? I wonder what the effect will be on the existing Birmingham-Marylebone service and other services that start closer to London? Does the line have spare capacity for extra trains from Oxford, or will existing services have fewer trains to accomodate the Oxford ones? |
Oxford to London commute - ridiculous??
"Mortimer" wrote in message .. . "Roger Lynn" wrote in message ... On 26/01/11 16:56, Theo Markettos wrote: It might also be worth pointing out that there's another route to Oxford currently at the planning permission stage, using the line to Bicester then a new junction joining the Chiltern line to Marylebone: http://www.chiltern-evergreen3.co.uk/ I don't know the latest timescales on the project, but it's probably a few years off opening. It's meant to be opening at the end of 2013, and in the past Chiltern have had a good record for finishing projects on time. It's worth noting that many people who live near Oxford drive to Bicester North and catch the train to Marylebone from there. These trains should be getting 10 minutes faster from May. When the Bicester curve opens, how will the journey time from Oxford to Marylebone compare with that from Oxford to Paddington via Didcot? How do the distances compare, too? The Chiltern route is expected to be 1h 6m, vs about 58/59m from Oxford to Paddington. Haven't got the distances. But the time from Water Eaton Parkway, is proposed to be the same 58m, which they expect to be useful for many people from north of Oxford currently driving to Oxford station's car park. Paul S |
Oxford to London commute - ridiculous??
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Oxford to London commute - ridiculous??
"Paul Scott" wrote:
"Mortimer" wrote in message When the Bicester curve opens, how will the journey time from Oxford to Marylebone compare with that from Oxford to Paddington via Didcot? How do the distances compare, too? The Chiltern route is expected to be 1h 6m, vs about 58/59m from Oxford to Paddington. Haven't got the distances. But the time from Water Eaton Parkway, is proposed to be the same 58m, which they expect to be useful for many people from north of Oxford currently driving to Oxford station's car park. Within a few short years of the opening of the Chiltern route's Oxford branch, the Paddington route will offer an interchange with Crossrail (or perhaps even direct trains via Crossrail) against Chiltern's interchange with the Bakerloo at Marylebone and with the Circle and Metropolitan Lines at Baker Street. I have a feeling that this will make the Paddington route significantly more attractive than it is now. |
Oxford to London commute - ridiculous??
On Feb 3, 12:01*pm, Bruce wrote:
"Paul Scott" wrote: "Mortimer" wrote in message When the Bicester curve opens, how will the journey time from Oxford to Marylebone compare with that from Oxford to Paddington via Didcot? How do the distances compare, too? The Chiltern route is expected to be 1h 6m, *vs about 58/59m from Oxford to Paddington. *Haven't got the distances. Trains from Oxford to Paddington are only 58/59 minutes in the daytime weekdays; evening and weekend services are markedly slower [not relevant to Mon-Fri commuters, but significant to Oxonians who want to visit London at the weekend]. Sunday "fasts" take 68/69 minutes, only run hourly, and the first up train is scheduled to leave Oxford at 0950, arriving Paddington at 1058. Engineering works often mean you don't get to London before lunchtime. Chiltern won't be able to run long trains from Oxford -- I think their platform will be 5 cars max -- but they will get a fair load of commuters from the Park'n'ride on weekdays, and have potential to get a lot of weekend leisure passngers who have long been disenchanted with FGW's poor schedules and ageing turbos. |
Oxford to London commute - ridiculous??
wrote in message
... In article , (Mortimer) wrote: I wonder what the effect will be on the existing Birmingham-Marylebone service and other services that start closer to London? Does the line have spare capacity for extra trains from Oxford, or will existing services have fewer trains to accomodate the Oxford ones? I thought they had done some work to enhance capacity? This was the GW Birmingham main line after all. The capacity gain seems to be mostly from additional loops at Princes Risborough and Northholt Jn, and then by running Class 172s on local stoppers as far as Gerrrards Cross, allowing them to be avoid conflicts with faster trains, and AIUI there is also some alteration to service patterns with fewer trains terminating at Bicester North or Banbury. In any case, the originally proposed timetables including the Oxford service are all online for comparison, : http://tinyurl.com/6jvr6zt http://preview.tinyurl.com/6jvr6zt Paul S |
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