Dramatis Personae
Tom and Rebecca MacMillan are the creative couple. They are joined in the project by Barnes Coaches of Swindon.
Perhaps we should have had some pictures of thpse potential passengers who have been "moved to tears".
... is still more than twice GoStroud's cheapest return.
"Morning Table Seat" is actually a single fare.
The service is branded "GoStroud".
The MacMillans claim to have surveyed the market and "there is demand for a service that is cheaper than rail".
Cheaper Travel?
It certainly is cheaper!
A peak hour train from Stroud to London ...
... will would set you back a fairly whopping sum.
The cheapest fare, leaving Stroud after 1000 and leaving Paddington after 1900 ...
How do timings compare?
Less Flexibility
GoStroud has not yet published actual times, but gives a general guide.
So it is a long day with an early start and a late finish, with, obviously, no alternative timings.
Trains are every hour.
There is another snag (or consideration).
GoStroud goes no further that West Drayton ...
... which is "way out", man, on a par with Heathrow airport. There will be extra cost to get to you workplace destination.
That is another ten quid OR a huge amount more for a taxi.
The operation is limited to Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, so it only makes sense if your flexible working can be made to match the inflexible coach.
It also looks like on-line booking is all that is available ...
... whilst you can just turn up and go on the train.
No 1 son, who lives in Wantage and 'commutes' from Didcot, aims to arrange his flexible working day to start late and finish late so only buys the cheaper fares. He has also learned that he can sidestep peak departure fare restrictions from Paddington by taking an Elizabeth Line line train to Reading, then honeward Didcotwards.
It is far quicker than enjoying time at Paddington waiting for the cheaper fare departures. It will be similar for the Stroud.
For the record, the GoStroud coach also calls at Stonehouse, Chalford and ...
... Cirencester although advance publicity does not say exactly where.
The stop in Stroud itself is here ...
... at Cheapside ...
... which is right next to the railway station!
Next Rethink in Reading blog : Thur 30th July
No comments:
Post a Comment