I am possibly relocating to the Milton Keynes area due to my other half's
change of employment. I intend to commute to London daily. Although I have
travelled through MKC on the WCML from Manchester, I have never actually
used the station as a starting point.

Has anyone got experience of commuting to London from Milton Keynes ?
Things such as getting a seat (Arriving London 0830/departing 1730), safety
around the station, frequency of severe delays.

I intend to live within a mile of the station and walk each day. Any
pointers where to avoid.

Regarding season tickets, there used to be a trainline operated website
giving season prices, cannot find it now, any hints.

Cheers

Sam

Sam wrote:

Has anyone got experience of commuting to London from Milton Keynes ?
Things such as getting a seat (Arriving London 0830/departing 1730), safety
around the station, frequency of severe delays.

A surprisingly good location for commuting, IMX.

Chance of seat circa 100% (no, really)[1], certainly from Watford
northwards in the evening peak, serious delays pretty rare, comfort
high (if you get a Desiro). Station area (as with much of MK) is very
safe, if a bit deserted at night.

So far as living there is concerned, look at a map (www.mkweb.co.uk/map
is a good one). If it has straight roads, avoid it, if it has curved
roads, look at it. Loughton, just behind the station, is a very nice
area. There are also a lot of blocks of new flats going up in the
centre. Don't go near Conniburrow or Fishermead; parts of Oldbrook
(very near the station) are OK but go and look at it first as some
parts of it are very scruffy.

I intend to live within a mile of the station and walk each day. Any
pointers where to avoid.

Regarding season tickets, there used to be a trainline operated website
giving season prices, cannot find it now, any hints.

swt-seasontickets.com, or the info for MK is on silverlink-trains.com
somewhere.

[1] A project was implemented a couple of years ago to massively expand
capacity at the expense of a slight slowing of the service and removal
of VT services in the peak. It has largely succeeded.

Neil

Neil Williams wrote:

Chance of seat circa 100% (no, really)[1],

I would disagree with that but then I only catch trains as far as
Watford so I can't speak for the trains that miss out Watford. You are
only more or less guaranteed a seat if you are on the train at least 10
minutes before departure. 5 minutes or less more or less forget getting
a seat unless you want to squeeze between Mr and Mrs Fatty or asked the
ingorant ******* to move their bag off the seat next to them.
And if you are lucky you wont have a bike taking up the vacant standing
space. I am sure bikes are banned but then why do I see them on the
trains.

Kevin

Kev wrote:

I would disagree with that but then I only catch trains as far as
Watford so I can't speak for the trains that miss out Watford.

Those have a lot more space, so you are best to take those if going to
MKC.

Neil

Kev wrote:

5 minutes or less more or less forget getting
a seat unless you want to squeeze between Mr and Mrs Fatty or asked the
ingorant ******* to move their bag off the seat next to them.

Is this really that hard? I find people are usually quite willing to
move their bags on a full train.

Michael Hoffman wrote:
Kev wrote:

5 minutes or less more or less forget getting
a seat unless you want to squeeze between Mr and Mrs Fatty or asked the
ingorant ******* to move their bag off the seat next to them.

Is this really that hard? I find people are usually quite willing to
move their bags on a full train.

Surely the point is that you shouldn't have to ask? On a crowded
train, anyone who has to be asked to move a bag on the seat next to
them is clearly an antisocial sh*t. Of course, the latest development
is people sitting on the outside seat with their bags on the inside
one, so not only do you have to ask them to move their bag, but they
have to get up to let you in as well, which will usually precipitate
much humphing and grunting. Hanging's too good for them!

Patrick

wrote:

Surely the point is that you shouldn't have to ask? On a crowded
train, anyone who has to be asked to move a bag on the seat next to
them is clearly an antisocial sh*t.
Almost as bad as the people who sit on the 3 abreast seats but then
encrouch onto the adjacent vacant seat so intimidating people not to
sit there.

Kevin

On 15 Nov 2006 07:18:12 -0800, wrote:


Michael Hoffman wrote:
Kev wrote:

5 minutes or less more or less forget getting
a seat unless you want to squeeze between Mr and Mrs Fatty or asked the
ingorant ******* to move their bag off the seat next to them.

Is this really that hard? I find people are usually quite willing to
move their bags on a full train.

Surely the point is that you shouldn't have to ask? On a crowded
train, anyone who has to be asked to move a bag on the seat next to
them is clearly an antisocial sh*t. Of course, the latest development
is people sitting on the outside seat with their bags on the inside
one, so not only do you have to ask them to move their bag, but they
have to get up to let you in as well, which will usually precipitate
much humphing and grunting. Hanging's too good for them!

But then surely the fun is to need to disturb their comfort again with
a trip to the buffet returning with a menacing mug of something hot.
That precipitates a visit to the loo. You even have to go to get
something out of your luggage. Hours of harmless amusement!

Guy Gorton

Michael Hoffman wrote:

Kev wrote:

5 minutes or less more or less forget getting
a seat unless you want to squeeze between Mr and Mrs Fatty or asked the
ingorant ******* to move their bag off the seat next to them.

Is this really that hard? I find people are usually quite willing to
move their bags on a full train.
But why should it be necessary to ask. Let's think about this. There
are a dozen people standing by the doors but somebody insists on
occupying a seat with their shopping bag. They only move the bag if
asked to do so.

Kevin

In message . com, Kev
writes
But why should it be necessary to ask. Let's think about this. There
are a dozen people standing by the doors but somebody insists on
occupying a seat with their shopping bag. They only move the bag if
asked to do so.

As someone "guilty" of putting my bag on the seat next to me, I do this
for both ease of access and security. I have no problem whatsoever
moving my bag if someone needs a seat, whether they ask or not.
--
Kenny