Journey into work

[maximus123]

I just wondered how people travelled into work. Whether they drove in, took public transport and what the journey was like?

The reason I ask is, I'm contemplating a move to London and have heard it can be a real pain travelling on public transport at peak times. I currently drive into work (Birmingham city centre) and although it can be busy I'm usually home within half an hour.

The idea of being packed in like a Sardine on the tube, even for a short time, is quite off putting. How many Londoner's currently use the tube? is it as bad as I've heard? would driving in be a possibilty? or should I just MTFU and get on the tube.

[Famous Graham]

It can be a bit manky in summer, but it's been a few years since I did it regularly. Dunno if they've put aircon in the carriages yet.

[LaserTam]

Dont think there is any aircon, well there certainly isn't on the northern line.

To the OP - it probably depends on where you will live & work. Some lines are busier than others, when they are busy, and its hot, its horrible. Otherwise its bareable.

As for driving, could be costly (parking plus potentially congestion charge).

[Pothole]

where will you live and where will you work? 'London' is a big place, innit? 255 miles of underground railway for a start.

[Jonny671]

LaserTam said:

Dont think there is any aircon, well there certainly isn't on the northern line.

To the OP - it probably depends on where you will live & work. Some lines are busier than others, when they are busy, and its hot, its horrible. Otherwise its bareable.

As for driving, could be costly (parking plus potentially congestion charge).

Or Piccadilly.

Not sure on the others but I wouldn't imagine so.

As above, depends where you live/travel to really..

[GTIR]

"It smells of wee and everyone is miserable. And why is it so hot!"
That's what my 8yo said on a recent trip into the stinky smoke.

I'd rather push a biro down my japs eye than commute into London by public transport.



ETA No, I don't have an oriental girlfriend.

Edited by GTIR on Saturday 28th August 16:34

[Tommy Cooper]

Hi

Well i can only speak from personal Experience.Commute from Bucks to the Wharf Journey time 1 hour 40 mins (My choice to live there).


Met line:Rubbish,always cancelling trains/On going Engineering works.
Jubilee Line: Trains every 3 mins ,having said that very Crowded from 0630 am to about 0930 am.Same on the way back 1630 pm to about 2000 pm .On going Engineering works.
Bakerloo Line:Again crowded at peak times.
Hornby railway (DLR): Crowded at peak times,nice long stroll to and from the Central Line also which is... you've guessed it... Crowded.

Air conditioned trains our meant to be rolling out later this year on the Met line .Only problem with that is,there are less seats on them.

HTH

Edited by Tommy Cooper on Saturday 28th August 16:48

[Pothole]

I used to do mile End to Hammersmith and back. Always got a seat on the District Line within about 3 stops. Lots of reading done.

[maximus123]

[quote=GTIR]"I'd rather push a biro down my japs eye than commute into London by public transport.

That is saying something! I used to live in London as a student, but obviously wasn't awake before 12:00pm so don't know what the tubes were like at that time.

I'm currently looking at East Dulwich. Yes I know it's south of the river so not really London. I know there isn't a tube there but not sure what the train is like. How about the buses? Are they as busy?

How about cycling or riding a moped?

[maximus123]

Sorry I should have added I'll probably be working in the city, near Bank/London Bridge station.

[AV12]

Commuting can be a nightmare here and NONE of the tubes are air conditioned. Some are cooler than others. Much less of a problem in colder months. Getting to London Bridge/City is easy and around the city alot of places are walkable, so you may want to consider walking a short part of your journey if you work location allows it. Can be often quicker than going one stop on the crowded tube.

[AV12]

maximus123 said:

Sorry I should have added I'll probably be working in the city, near Bank/London Bridge station.

I work near borough market and London Bridge is as pretty connected station, although very, very busy. Factor in time for marching with a crowd of people to entrance/exit and you should be fine.

[Tommy Cooper]

AV12 said:

Commuting can be a nightmare here and NONE of the tubes are air conditioned. Some are cooler than others. Much less of a problem in colder months. Getting to London Bridge/City is easy and around the city alot of places are walkable, so you may want to consider walking a short part of your journey if you work location allows it. Can be often quicker than going one stop on the crowded tube.

[AV12]

Dulwich is very much London. You could cycle, thousands so, but it is risky. Need to have your wits about you as there are some very large vehicles in London on tiny streets. Less of an issue in really central locations.

Mopeds are good, but not enough power (IMO). Get a motorbike

Edited by AV12 on Saturday 28th August 17:25

[maximus123]

AV12 said:

Dulwich is very much London. You could cycle, thousands so, but it is risky. Need to have your wits about you as there are some very large vehicles in London on tiny streets. Less of an issue in really central locations.

Mopeds are good, but not enough power (IMO). Get a motorbike

Edited by AV12 on Saturday 28th August 17:25

I've only have a CBT, and did that years ago so would have to take some lessons and pass my test. I assume there is no congestion charge for mopeds/motorbukes?

[AV12]

maximus123 said:

AV12 said:

Dulwich is very much London. You could cycle, thousands so, but it is risky. Need to have your wits about you as there are some very large vehicles in London on tiny streets. Less of an issue in really central locations.

Mopeds are good, but not enough power (IMO). Get a motorbike

Edited by AV12 on Saturday 28th August 17:25

I've only have a CBT, and did that years ago so would have to take some lessons and pass my test. I assume there is no congestion charge for mopeds/motorbukes?

None. Although they have introduced £1.50 p/d parking.

[Tommy Cooper]

maximus123 said:

AV12 said:

Dulwich is very much London. You could cycle, thousands so, but it is risky. Need to have your wits about you as there are some very large vehicles in London on tiny streets. Less of an issue in really central locations.

Mopeds are good, but not enough power (IMO). Get a motorbike

Edited by AV12 on Saturday 28th August 17:25

I've only have a CBT, and did that years ago so would have to take some lessons and pass my test. I assume there is no congestion charge for mopeds/motorbukes?

I believe not.I'm a bit rusty when it comes to Parking though.Things might have changed since 2007.

[Jasandjules]

maximus123 said:

The idea of being packed in like a Sardine on the tube, even for a short time, is quite off putting. How many Londoner's currently use the tube? is it as bad as I've heard? would driving in be a possibilty? or should I just MTFU and get on the tube.

It can be a little tight at times, but you often get the added bonus of watching someone run for the tube and just miss the timing, then they have the "I didn't want that train anyway" casual walk away from the door.

Or better yet, the one I saw where a bloke just leapt at the doorway, just in time for the doors to close and his face to be splatted onto it. That one was so good, a few people looked up from their metro to stare...

[maximus123]

musclecarmad said:

I work from home so my commute is nothing and it costs nothing which is good news.

I wouldn't commute in London at all, if you ride a bike you are likely to get knocked off, a car costs a fortune to run and park and the tube really does hinder your quality of life. It can be rough, it's underground, it's smelly, it's dirty, it can be very hot, many types of accident can occur and it's not the way i'd want to spend my mornings getting to work and going home in the evening.

Unless you earn many many millions per year I would avoid London however I appreciate that many people do it and find it fine, I just couldn't do it at all whatsoever.

This is what I'm worried about. I'd hate it if my life became miserable because of my commute. I'm mainly worried about the journey home, as I'll probably go to the gym before work so will be catching the train at around 6:30 in the morning.

Does anyone catch the bus into work?

[littlegreenfairy]

I pad from the bedroom to the office and the kitchen. It's a lovely commute


But seriously, I quite enjoyed using the tube to commute - but it is a bit ripe in summer. I love a good train journey. You could always drive so far then catch the tube.