I have looked at this feature a few times - the thing that strikes one most forcibly is how it is often quicker to drive than use bus or train. It doesn't count time waiting for a connecting service, as far as I can see.

Cost of bus/train fares is invariably more than fuel cost (yes, I know, full running cost of a car is 15p a mile or whatever, but having taxed,it, insured it and suffering depreciation whether driving it or sitting in the garage, if I want to go from A to B the fuel used is the what I have to pay and compare with the ticket price.)

Galileo,

One off singles/returns, particularly longer distance or to London can be silly money. Always cheaper by car bit is contestable though.

Look at off peak tickets, you can often save more by buying one valid on only one of two competing train companies. Deals such as Groupsave are worthwhile as are most of the Railcards. If you book ahead there are stunning bargains provided you can live with being tied to a specific train.

Bromptonaut, you are of course correct, but I like to make a journey at a time of my choice, and don't usually know a month in advance where I'll fancy going.

Don't forget that a car transports 4 or 5 people for one outlay on fuel; to go by train or bus means buying 4 or 5 tickets: if that works out cheaper I have a few old hats that can be eaten.

Galileo,

If you look at Groupsave and include parking costs you might need to consider shaking salt/pepper on your hat.

Example of a trip we do fairly often, figures from transport direct.

Train: 1 hour 15 minutes (often a four wheeled boneshaker)

Price £7.20 each (or £4.75 each if wife and I both buy railcards at £30 each) so £14.40 (or £9.50)

Bus: 2 hours 20 minutes with two changes involved. Not worth looking up the fares, you agree?

Car: 40 minutes, 18 miles @ 40 mpg, £2.65 + £1.80 for 2 hours parking, total £4.45

Maybe public transport is better/cheaper in your neck of the woods?

QUOTE:..."" the thing that strikes one most forcibly is how it is often quicker to drive than use bus or train. It doesn't count time waiting for a connecting service, as far as I can see.""

Obviously some journeys will be better by car, others by train. If I want to go to London from my home, train is much quicker.

I avoid London as a rule, but if I had to go, there has not been a direct service from the station here since steam days, so I'd have to go to Wakefield or Leeds to pick up a train. For all the hoo-ha about HS2 , there will be no direct service for many large towns here in the North, so in my view it is no more than a political vanity project which misuses huge sums of taxpayers (or borrowed) cash that could be spent more effectively.