Why do people still drive into London???
Discussion
I can fully understand why people commute to work by car when they're outside London and don't have the same sort of transport links, but what on earth possesses people to drive into London in the rush hour?
The first half of my cycle route runs along the route of a rail line into Waterloo, and the second half runs alongside the Northern Line, yet it will invariably be rammed full of cars driving in and out. Yes, some of the traffic is made up of trucks and vans who are presumably carrying tools or doing deliveries, but the large majority are still cars.
I don't ride in or out at unusual times, so tubes & trains are definitely running, and it's definitely not faster to drive - even I can get from Collier's Wood to the Oval faster on a bike than in a car, never mind using the tube. Given the rate of fuel consumption in stop/start traffic, it won't be cheaper to drive than it would to use public transport either, and it's certainly not a fun driving experience!
So why do people do it?
The first half of my cycle route runs along the route of a rail line into Waterloo, and the second half runs alongside the Northern Line, yet it will invariably be rammed full of cars driving in and out. Yes, some of the traffic is made up of trucks and vans who are presumably carrying tools or doing deliveries, but the large majority are still cars.
I don't ride in or out at unusual times, so tubes & trains are definitely running, and it's definitely not faster to drive - even I can get from Collier's Wood to the Oval faster on a bike than in a car, never mind using the tube. Given the rate of fuel consumption in stop/start traffic, it won't be cheaper to drive than it would to use public transport either, and it's certainly not a fun driving experience!
So why do people do it?
Kermit power said:
I can fully understand why people commute to work by car when they're outside London and don't have the same sort of transport links, but what on earth possesses people to drive into London in the rush hour?
The first half of my cycle route runs along the route of a rail line into Waterloo, and the second half runs alongside the Northern Line, yet it will invariably be rammed full of cars driving in and out. Yes, some of the traffic is made up of trucks and vans who are presumably carrying tools or doing deliveries, but the large majority are still cars.
I don't ride in or out at unusual times, so tubes & trains are definitely running, and it's definitely not faster to drive - even I can get from Collier's Wood to the Oval faster on a bike than in a car, never mind using the tube. Given the rate of fuel consumption in stop/start traffic, it won't be cheaper to drive than it would to use public transport either, and it's certainly not a fun driving experience!
So why do people do it?
If you live within the congestion charge and you have a space available to park it makes sense.The first half of my cycle route runs along the route of a rail line into Waterloo, and the second half runs alongside the Northern Line, yet it will invariably be rammed full of cars driving in and out. Yes, some of the traffic is made up of trucks and vans who are presumably carrying tools or doing deliveries, but the large majority are still cars.
I don't ride in or out at unusual times, so tubes & trains are definitely running, and it's definitely not faster to drive - even I can get from Collier's Wood to the Oval faster on a bike than in a car, never mind using the tube. Given the rate of fuel consumption in stop/start traffic, it won't be cheaper to drive than it would to use public transport either, and it's certainly not a fun driving experience!
So why do people do it?
If I earnt enough I would get a cab everyday.
Kermit power said:
...and it's certainly not a fun driving experience!
So why do people do it?
You're right, it's not. But it is still a lot more pleasurable than using the Tube system.So why do people do it?
But in reality, very few people drive as a percentage of the total commuter population.
Two wheels (whether leg or engine powered) is far and away the best means of travelling around town.
Fellow cyclist here
when I feel lazy I'll take the car in, despite it being a 2 mile trip and in the congestion charge zone + parking.
When I feel I can afford it, I do it, when i feel
i force myself to use the bike.
What I really dislike is the public transport though, don't like walking to the station, don't like waiting for the train/bus and ca't stand sharing my personal space with smelly strangers.
So a nice heated leather seat + a decent sound system and coffee in the cupholder is worth the extra 30 minutes sometimes
when I feel lazy I'll take the car in, despite it being a 2 mile trip and in the congestion charge zone + parking.
When I feel I can afford it, I do it, when i feel
i force myself to use the bike.What I really dislike is the public transport though, don't like walking to the station, don't like waiting for the train/bus and ca't stand sharing my personal space with smelly strangers.
So a nice heated leather seat + a decent sound system and coffee in the cupholder is worth the extra 30 minutes sometimes
Er, so they get to work and don't get sacked?
I have to drive into London for work sometimes. Last time I got called to London was last week. I got called out at midnight and got back in at 0330
Here's the ridiculous part, the motorways, A2 etc were obviously quiet so that part of the journey was quicker than the busy times in the day. However, as usual my journey in/out of the city was not much quicker at all. The lights are obviously phased to go red as you approach. You sit at every red for ages and ages despite there being no cars or pedestrians about at all.
I have to drive into London for work sometimes. Last time I got called to London was last week. I got called out at midnight and got back in at 0330
Here's the ridiculous part, the motorways, A2 etc were obviously quiet so that part of the journey was quicker than the busy times in the day. However, as usual my journey in/out of the city was not much quicker at all. The lights are obviously phased to go red as you approach. You sit at every red for ages and ages despite there being no cars or pedestrians about at all.
I have a few clients between Tower Bridge and the city. When I visit them I can get the fastcat foot ferry from the IOW to Portsmouth and then the train to Waterloo then tube or cab. It's far easier to take the car ferry and drive up the A3 and takes about the same time but with greatly reduced exposure to public transport. I rarely ever get held up much and if I do, at least I'm guaranteed a seat.
South London is rubbish for driving, but the rest of the capital is generally OK. During August, when everyone is on holiday and the roads are quiet, it is often possible to drive across London faster than the journey would take by tube. And of course, you will always have a much more civilised journey by car.
Kermit power said:
I can fully understand why people commute to work by car when they're outside London and don't have the same sort of transport links, but what on earth possesses people to drive into London in the rush hour?
The first half of my cycle route runs along the route of a rail line into Waterloo, and the second half runs alongside the Northern Line, yet it will invariably be rammed full of cars driving in and out. Yes, some of the traffic is made up of trucks and vans who are presumably carrying tools or doing deliveries, but the large majority are still cars.
I don't ride in or out at unusual times, so tubes & trains are definitely running, and it's definitely not faster to drive - even I can get from Collier's Wood to the Oval faster on a bike than in a car, never mind using the tube. Given the rate of fuel consumption in stop/start traffic, it won't be cheaper to drive than it would to use public transport either, and it's certainly not a fun driving experience!
So why do people do it?
It costs me £67 to go by train in the morning or at any time between 3:30 and 7pm. The first half of my cycle route runs along the route of a rail line into Waterloo, and the second half runs alongside the Northern Line, yet it will invariably be rammed full of cars driving in and out. Yes, some of the traffic is made up of trucks and vans who are presumably carrying tools or doing deliveries, but the large majority are still cars.
I don't ride in or out at unusual times, so tubes & trains are definitely running, and it's definitely not faster to drive - even I can get from Collier's Wood to the Oval faster on a bike than in a car, never mind using the tube. Given the rate of fuel consumption in stop/start traffic, it won't be cheaper to drive than it would to use public transport either, and it's certainly not a fun driving experience!
So why do people do it?
It costs me £25odd in petrol and I can leave at whatever time I like.
Public transport is stupidly expensive at usable times - that's not even comparable.
Because, by their criteria, it's the best choice for them. Their criteria may well not match your criteria, so you wouldn't make the same decision, but that doesn't make their decision wrong. It's probably a "least bad" decision rather than "best" though.
Many people are genuinely scared of the 2-wheel options too, so never consider them.
Many people are genuinely scared of the 2-wheel options too, so never consider them.
soad said:
Hands up who thinks taking the tube is fun or pleasant experience then 
I don't think anyone does, but I do find some of the comments on PH about having to tolerate being close next to another human being a bit odd. It's seems like it's almost a paranoia for some people. Do they never go to a crowded pub or club, or a festival, or a sport event? Sometimes it isn't pleasant, but sometimes I think there's a touch of Aspergers when people here talk about public transport.
Well, if you are doing a proper job and not just sitting playing with a computer all day you need tools. Sometimes quite a lot, not sure how you'd lug around 200kg worth of stuff on the tube...
soad said:
Hands up who thinks taking the tube is fun or pleasant experience then
Yeah, I like it when it's not too busy. Some of the stations are very nice and I find it very relaxing, not having to worry about driving. I don't have to do it every day though...Edited by varsas on Friday 18th November 10:32
I used to start at a normal hour, but finish at a time that had a sh$te tube service (Hammersmith and City) in a sh$te area. (4 of my workmates got attacked/mugged there). I hated the drive in across town from E1 to W10 in the morning, but it was sooo nice to get in the car at 10pm and drive back in a warm and free-of-mentals environment than waiting for the crappy tube.
I often drive when I'm in London, especially when I need to take things with me.
Post-Congestion charging it is great - don't hit too much traffic and have no issue with onward journey and I can work all the way down if I want to, listen to whatever mousic I want to if I don't, sit in a more comfortable seat, fart when I want and arrive far more relaxed.
The train from here is great - 1hr 50 on one of the most efficient and comfortable trains in the world but if you have a 20 minute journey to the station, and an hour+ once in London, plus the stress and high potential of being subject to the piss poor railway infrastructure in this country the car can be a better option.
I trialled it side by side last year. A friend and I were having lunch in the Old Bailey. I was driving down as I needed to pick up a CD rack from North London en route down, he insisted he would rather get the train. After lunch I offered to give him a lift back; he declined. We left at the same time, he walked to get a cab to get to Euston, I got in my car and programmed the route home.
I arrived home, got changed and called him to catch up - he was still on the train, squeezed next to a fat bloke, 20 minutes from home. I had a coffee and went to pick him up from the station to save him the £15 taxi fare home.
His ticket had cost over £200, plus £50 in taxis. I'd used less than a £80 tank and had to pay for congestion charging.
Granted, there are times that I can do London and back on the train for £120, get breakfast and dinner, Wi-Fi all the way and a couple of beers on the way back and it only take 2hrs 10mins door to door....but not always.
Post-Congestion charging it is great - don't hit too much traffic and have no issue with onward journey and I can work all the way down if I want to, listen to whatever mousic I want to if I don't, sit in a more comfortable seat, fart when I want and arrive far more relaxed.
The train from here is great - 1hr 50 on one of the most efficient and comfortable trains in the world but if you have a 20 minute journey to the station, and an hour+ once in London, plus the stress and high potential of being subject to the piss poor railway infrastructure in this country the car can be a better option.
I trialled it side by side last year. A friend and I were having lunch in the Old Bailey. I was driving down as I needed to pick up a CD rack from North London en route down, he insisted he would rather get the train. After lunch I offered to give him a lift back; he declined. We left at the same time, he walked to get a cab to get to Euston, I got in my car and programmed the route home.
I arrived home, got changed and called him to catch up - he was still on the train, squeezed next to a fat bloke, 20 minutes from home. I had a coffee and went to pick him up from the station to save him the £15 taxi fare home.
His ticket had cost over £200, plus £50 in taxis. I'd used less than a £80 tank and had to pay for congestion charging.
Granted, there are times that I can do London and back on the train for £120, get breakfast and dinner, Wi-Fi all the way and a couple of beers on the way back and it only take 2hrs 10mins door to door....but not always.
Cost really, and the convenience going to where you want to go as a priority assuming you don't have things to carry that'd make it awkward.
I needed to meet someone at Kings Cross last month, and I live in Notts. The meeting was at 11am until around 4pm. So I'd need to leave the house around 7'ish to get the 7.43 which gets in at 10.31. Cost £34
On the way back, I'd get either the 15.48 or the 16.33 which gets me back to my car at 19.29. Cost £73
I'm not guaranteed a seat on either, and I've done that trip before, and stood on a packed train from St Pancras to Leicester.
It was easier to leave the house at the same time, get in the car and drive down. The fuel cost was £35, I guess the wear and tear would be another tenner, and parking was £15. I went from where I started to where I wanted, I didn't go via where everyone else wanted to go, and had the comfort of my own space, music, food etc
I needed to meet someone at Kings Cross last month, and I live in Notts. The meeting was at 11am until around 4pm. So I'd need to leave the house around 7'ish to get the 7.43 which gets in at 10.31. Cost £34
On the way back, I'd get either the 15.48 or the 16.33 which gets me back to my car at 19.29. Cost £73
I'm not guaranteed a seat on either, and I've done that trip before, and stood on a packed train from St Pancras to Leicester.
It was easier to leave the house at the same time, get in the car and drive down. The fuel cost was £35, I guess the wear and tear would be another tenner, and parking was £15. I went from where I started to where I wanted, I didn't go via where everyone else wanted to go, and had the comfort of my own space, music, food etc
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