Weekend plans ruined by public transport
Discussion
Well, there we were - me and my mates had battled for tickets to see our favourite 'new' band, Velvet Revolver, in Hammersmith, over the net and had bagged them for £60 apiece. The plan was simple - we'd get an early train from York to London, have a few pints of Fuller's in a nice pub in Shepherd's Market, then head to the Apollo, head to the front of the crowd and worship the guitar gods that are Slash, Duff McKaggan, Dave Kushner and, if we were really lucky, Izzy Stradlin, if he turned up.
All we would need was a day return train ticket. Hammersmith was very close to a rail link, we could be back in York straight after the gig no problem. According to that stupid journey planning website, we could get a good direct train straight there and back. It even offeren us tickets. The National Rail Enquiry's Indian switchboard operator concurred too.
Went to buy the tickets this morning. What does the bloke behind the counter say?
'There are works on the line between Peterborough and Stevenage - there's a replacement bus service, is that OK?'
'yeah'. What's the latest we can get back?'
(taps away on the computer) '7PM. Usually it's 8pm but because of the buses it's earlier. Is that OK?'
'No it isn't. Got anything closer to midnight?'
'No. Next train is 8:30AM Sunday'
So, in short, if I had a car I could've driven down to London, parked near a tube station and enjoyed the gig for the price of a tank of petrol.
Instead, the only option is to find a hotel. The only one we can find in the right area at this level of notice is going to cost us £150. The gig ticket is £65, the rail fare (with discount) will be £45 and we won't be able to get back to York until Sunday afternoon. Add London drinks prices in the mix and it's all getting a bit much for a few students.
Do they lock London up at night or something?
So, in short public transport, this chariot of the common man, would put the price of the weekend at somewhere in the region of over £200, whilst that evil symbol of personal greed and capitalism, the car, would - if I had one - cost probably about £40 in petrol, no need for a hotel and I wouldn't drink. And that's if I just paid for petrol myself - I'd have other people in the car chipping in, which would probably put the price of petrol+ticket at £75.
So, entirely due to the deficiencies of public transport, I won't be going to see Velvet Revolver this weekend (he puts on the CD), as it's cheaper to try and flog the ticket and lose £30 than it is to spend over £200.
Letters of complaint have been prepared, but I think I'll be drinking myself silly instead tonight.
I just can't explain quite how angry I am
All we would need was a day return train ticket. Hammersmith was very close to a rail link, we could be back in York straight after the gig no problem. According to that stupid journey planning website, we could get a good direct train straight there and back. It even offeren us tickets. The National Rail Enquiry's Indian switchboard operator concurred too.
Went to buy the tickets this morning. What does the bloke behind the counter say?
'There are works on the line between Peterborough and Stevenage - there's a replacement bus service, is that OK?'
'yeah'. What's the latest we can get back?'
(taps away on the computer) '7PM. Usually it's 8pm but because of the buses it's earlier. Is that OK?'
'No it isn't. Got anything closer to midnight?'
'No. Next train is 8:30AM Sunday'
So, in short, if I had a car I could've driven down to London, parked near a tube station and enjoyed the gig for the price of a tank of petrol.
Instead, the only option is to find a hotel. The only one we can find in the right area at this level of notice is going to cost us £150. The gig ticket is £65, the rail fare (with discount) will be £45 and we won't be able to get back to York until Sunday afternoon. Add London drinks prices in the mix and it's all getting a bit much for a few students.
Do they lock London up at night or something?
So, in short public transport, this chariot of the common man, would put the price of the weekend at somewhere in the region of over £200, whilst that evil symbol of personal greed and capitalism, the car, would - if I had one - cost probably about £40 in petrol, no need for a hotel and I wouldn't drink. And that's if I just paid for petrol myself - I'd have other people in the car chipping in, which would probably put the price of petrol+ticket at £75.
So, entirely due to the deficiencies of public transport, I won't be going to see Velvet Revolver this weekend (he puts on the CD), as it's cheaper to try and flog the ticket and lose £30 than it is to spend over £200.
Letters of complaint have been prepared, but I think I'll be drinking myself silly instead tonight.
I just can't explain quite how angry I am
Get a room at the Columbia hotel in Queensway/Lancaster Gate. Lots of musos stay there. Rooms are cheapish for London and you can drink your own drinks in the bar which stays open as long as you are. Not a plush hotel by any means, indeed totally 70s in decor. Last time I was there I was getting pissed with Electric 6 just after they did their first show on TOTP (I think that was the time).
Nah, no point - we don't know anyone who's got the money to rent a car and is up for driving all the way to London.
Oh, and Plotloss, We will have been up since 7AM that morning, we will be knackered and sweaty. I've got no idea what exactly you mean by finding anything to entertain ourselves in Hammersmith, and the only things I remember last time I was there were chavs and assorted shifty types. Not the sort of place I'd hang around in at night personally, and I wouldn't pay London prices to get into an all night club at that time (especially as I don't like trance, which is the only thing that would be on offer)
Never mind - I've seen them before, there are other gigs and they'll be on again
Oh, and Plotloss, We will have been up since 7AM that morning, we will be knackered and sweaty. I've got no idea what exactly you mean by finding anything to entertain ourselves in Hammersmith, and the only things I remember last time I was there were chavs and assorted shifty types. Not the sort of place I'd hang around in at night personally, and I wouldn't pay London prices to get into an all night club at that time (especially as I don't like trance, which is the only thing that would be on offer)
Never mind - I've seen them before, there are other gigs and they'll be on again
I work in Stevenage, and there are several of the cheaper hotel chains here near the station (Holiday Inn Express, Premiere Inn, Ibis) which would be cheaper than staying in London. Late trains from Kings X to here on a Saturday night take 25-35mins and then you can hop on the GNER train to York on Sunday morning.
Might be worth considering....
Might be worth considering....
I'm with Plotloss on tis one. Trust me there are loads of places you can go round London on a Saturday night till 8am.
There was a place in Soho called BarCalona as i remeber from my days there in 1995. Great place to hang out, have a coffee, and watch the comings and goings of the ladys of the night on their breaks and (under)world go by.
If not that how about a sobering walk round the town at night to see the sights, just to make the most of your time.
PS Labour Party offices are on Woolworth road, nearest tube is Elephant and Castle, should you have any letters of complaint you'd like to post.
There was a place in Soho called BarCalona as i remeber from my days there in 1995. Great place to hang out, have a coffee, and watch the comings and goings of the ladys of the night on their breaks and (under)world go by.
If not that how about a sobering walk round the town at night to see the sights, just to make the most of your time.
PS Labour Party offices are on Woolworth road, nearest tube is Elephant and Castle, should you have any letters of complaint you'd like to post.
ed running services through the night.By Coach
Ex York 06:15 arr 11.20
Ret dep 23:30 arr 04:20
Retail ticket cost £84 but you will get a good discount being a student.
And you can book your tickets NOW online!
www.nationalexpress.com/
Ex York 06:15 arr 11.20
Ret dep 23:30 arr 04:20
Retail ticket cost £84 but you will get a good discount being a student.
And you can book your tickets NOW online!
www.nationalexpress.com/
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