Re: rail versus national express

On 1 Aug, 11:35, Tony Polson <docnews2...@googlemail.com> wrote:
> Philip Hardy <phi...@phardy.karoo.co.uk> wrote:
> >You can't please everyone all the time. If she finds National Express
> >more appropriate then that's great. Using the coach is much preferable
> >to putting another car on the road or encouraging the airlines to put
> >another wasteful domestic flight in the air.
>
> Well said.  
>
> This is an example of a journey that is best accomplished by bus,
> because of the route and the specific requirements and habits of the
> individual who will be travelling.
>
> Perhaps, for different destinations, the lady could be encouraged to
> take less luggage, perhaps one small case on wheels?  There seems
> never to be any shortage of people who will help an older person place
> luggage on the rack and take it off, and assist with boarding and
> leaving the train.
>
> Plus, rail travel is usually a rather more restful experience than
> travelling by coach, which is an important factor for an older person
> undertaking a fairly long journey.

In comparison.....

My mother travels from Westhoughton (near Manchester) to visit me in
Trowbridge a couple of times a year.  The time before last she used
National Express and because the destinations were not so convenient
she had to get a local bus to Bolton, the NEX coach then took a very
circuitous route around Manchester to do pick ups and she had a 45
minute wait in Bristol before finally getting to Bath, where she had
to change to a FGW local service to Trowbridge.

Last time she took the train.  Westhoughton - Manchester Picc
(change), Man. Picc to Newport (same platform) change, Newport -
Trowbridge.  A much faster journey and she likes the fact she can move
around as well.  On the return it was Trowbridge - Bristol TM, then a
direct to Manchester and a local to Westhoughton.

So, she is converted to rail!  It was more expensive (even with
Railcard) but she found the journey far more pleasant.

Different strokes for different folks!

Cheers

Puffernutter
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