From time to time, people are compelled to use trains – whether travelling for business, shopping trips or attending concerts – and these journeys can provide vastly different experiences. Nevertheless, one man was recently left stunned after shelling out £40 for a train ticket from Reading to Bristol.
Upon boarding the service, he was astounded by what greeted him, leaving him utterly flabbergasted. The unnamed passenger shared his experience on Reddit, and it’s safe to say it has sparked considerable debate, as fellow users were amazed by what he encountered aboard the train.
Accompanied by a photograph of vacant seats, he penned: “7.15am, Reading to Bristol – £40 a ticket. Surely lowering prices is better than this Great Western Railway (GWR)?” He subsequently questioned whether rail fares are excessively costly, with charges fluctuating between different operators.
Having journeyed during rush hour, when commuters are heading to work, it’s hardly surprising he was left bewildered. In his photograph, the visible portion of the carriage was completely deserted, which is rarely witnessed in many locations.
The submission has been viewed thousands of times, with hundreds of individuals expressing their opinions on the subject. Numerous people remarked they’ve observed that fares can be extortionate in certain circumstances.
One individual commented: “I was looking at going to London after Christmas with two kids and two adults yesterday. £350 for a day return. I can put £60 in my car and drive there and then put £60 in my car and drive home.”
Another disgruntled traveller chimed in with: “Was thinking about going to Edinburgh for the weekend. A couple of return tickets from near Manchester to Edinburgh (off peak)… Almost £300.”
A third shared their experience, adding: “Was in Italy the other day and wanted a train from Livorno to Pisa. Only about a 30 to 40 minute ride, but only cost about two quid on the day (one way), and the train somehow had three levels with the bottom level for people with bikes and things.”
Meanwhile, a fourth also expressed frustration, writing: “Needed to get home from Southampton to Middlesbrough with only three days notice the other day. £130 and THREE changes, including two changes in Central London.”
However, some people shared success stories and tips, with one person advising: “Advance tickets help, I got from London to Dorchester and back last weekend for about £20. My guess is the tickets from Reading to Bristol at 7.15am could have been free and it wouldn’t look much different.”
Another added: “I don’t think the ticket prices, as expensive as they are, would make a difference to someone’s decision on whether or not to take a 7.15am train. You either have to go that early or not, and if you have to you have to.”
GWR has stated that ticket prices can sometimes fluctuate, depending on seat availability. However, it does offer some guidance on how to secure cheap tickets.
One method is to book early and snag the best deals. With GWR, you can book some journeys up to three months in advance and, in some instances, up to six months in advance.
Passengers can also pocket substantial savings by purchasing a season ticket, which will also help you dodge the daily ticket office queues. This is seen as a favourable option for frequent travellers and those who use the same route several times a week.
You can also snag a 1/3 off rail travel on selected routes with a Railcard. Some examples of what’s up for grabs include 16-25 Railcard, Senior Railcard, Two Together Railcard and a Family and Friends Railcard.
GWR has been approached for additional details, but you can discover more about affordable train tickets on their website.