Commuting Redland to London, any cheaper season?

[higthomas]

I have a friend who'll be commuting from Redland (Bristol) to London zones 1-6 over the summer. I am aware this sounds crazy, but it's what he wants to do.

Is there any way to get a season cheaper than the £2,030.30 for a straight Redland-London zones 1-6 season ticket for the period 3 July to 25th August?

I was surprised splitting at Didcot didn't seem to get it down much.

 

[telstarbox]

You could rent a room for less...

 

[higthomas]

Haha, I told him so, but his girlfriend lives there... :P

 

[RJ]

Haha, I told him so, but his girlfriend lives there... :P

If this job opportunity is truly worth it then they should find a way to make it work. A good work placement can set up a career for life, opportunities aren't exactly ten-a-penny in the competitive climate.

It sounds like a knackering commute, does the job even cover the cost of it as well as living expenses? I rented a room a couple of summers ago at Brunel University so I could work at Uxbridge Bus Garage. It was £161 a week which was very expensive/a third of net income, but pretty much hassle free in terms of admin, comfortable, safe, convenient plus there was enough space for two in the room.

I presume from the nature of the job he is a student, perhaps he could rent a room at a university and she could consider joining him - or he could stay during the week and return at weekends? As for the ticket price, I'll see what I can find and send a PM by Saturday evening if I find anything good. I commuted from Canterbury to London in the past for similar reasons and had my own cost saving strategies on the HS1 services so can understand where he's coming from.

 

[Ianno87]

Haha, I told him so, but his girlfriend lives there... :P

Advice: He really needs to consider what effect such a long commute may have on their relationship. They'd risk spending no meaningful time together at all Monday-Friday, especially as he'd be knackered after only a week...

And such a hefty season is going to consume *alot* of their combined income.

 

[RJ]

I couldn't come up with anything I'm afraid. It's around £342.30 a week for the Travelcard with a small discount for a period of 1 month 23 days.

 

[Joe Paxton]

I was going to ask if they need the Travelcard element but it's 'only' £107 more than a rail-only season to London, so unless they're going to cycle or walk in London to wherever they're going then it's worthwhile.

I suspect a decent Thermos for tea or coffee on the train might pay for itself though!