Over-priced Season Ticket?

[whole diary]

[JayMac]

Just a thought for all those rich Devonians......

Plymouth - London Paddington
12 Month 1st Class Season = ^29,776
26 x 14 Day 1st Class All-Line Rail Rover = ^25,740

 

[Chris from Nailsea]

And, assuming just four weeks annual leave, 24 x 14 Day 1st Class All-Line Rail Rover, it's only ^23,760.

Who would actually buy such tickets ... other than MPs^▸ (Member of Parliament, or Mile Post (a method of measuring the railway in miles and chains from a starting point - usually London), depending on context), obviously ... ? 

[JayMac]

Something for our hard-working <cough> far-west MP^▸ (Member of Parliament, or Mile Post (a method of measuring the railway in miles and chains from a starting point - usually London), depending on context)'s to ponder on when they come to renew their seasons, bearing in mind their generous holiday entitilement. Probably only need something like 16 x 14 day All-Lines.....

[John R]

It would be a brave/confident/foolhardy MP^▸ (Member of Parliament, or Mile Post (a method of measuring the railway in miles and chains from a starting point - usually London), depending on context) to buy all their tickets for the year just at the moment.

[old original]

If my ropey old grey cells serve me right, I believe that about 20 years ago you could actually buy an annual all line ticket which, then, was about ^10k. I presume this doesn't exist any more?

[Btline]

I don't think we should begrudge our MPs^▸ (Member of Parliament, or Mile Post (a method of measuring the railway in miles and chains from a starting point - usually London), depending on context) claiming expenses for regular travel to London, otherwise only the privileged few would be able to afford to be an MP. The fact that they are travelling by rail and not car/plane/private helicopter warrants it!

I also don't think we should begrudge them travelling in First Class. Ok, it's not 100 % necessary, but they are entitled to be able to relax and/or work.

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

you only need one mug and there laughing

[matt473]

If my ropey old grey cells serve me right, I believe that about 20 years ago you could actually buy an annual all line ticket which, then, was about ^10k. I presume this doesn't exist any more?

Probably not officially but if a person with enough money approached ATOC^» (Association of Train Operating Companies see - here) and asked how much it would cost they may be able to think of something.

[JayMac]

I don't think we should begrudge our MPs^▸ (Member of Parliament, or Mile Post (a method of measuring the railway in miles and chains from a starting point - usually London), depending on context) claiming expenses for regular travel to London, otherwise only the privileged few would be able to afford to be an MP. The fact that they are travelling by rail and not car/plane/private helicopter warrants it!

I also don't think we should begrudge them travelling in First Class. Ok, it's not 100 % necessary, but they are entitled to be able to relax and/or work.

I echo those thoughts Btline. However rather than spend nigh on ^30,000 on a season if you are an MP from Plymouth and beyond, they should be looking hard at getting best value for the taxpayer - therefore All-Line Rovers could be purchased to cover the times when parliament is sitting. There's no need for an annual season that will go to waste when the MP is on holiday working in their constituency.

[Ollie]

If my ropey old grey cells serve me right, I believe that about 20 years ago you could actually buy an annual all line ticket which, then, was about ^10k. I presume this doesn't exist any more?

Probably not officially but if a person with enough money approached ATOC^» (Association of Train Operating Companies see - here) and asked how much it would cost they may be able to think of something.

It is still possible, but not from ticket offices, would have to approach ATOC if I remember correctly. When I'm at work tomorrow I will double check the procedure for you all

[John R]

I don't think we should begrudge our MPs^▸ (Member of Parliament, or Mile Post (a method of measuring the railway in miles and chains from a starting point - usually London), depending on context) claiming expenses for regular travel to London, otherwise only the privileged few would be able to afford to be an MP. The fact that they are travelling by rail and not car/plane/private helicopter warrants it!

I also don't think we should begrudge them travelling in First Class. Ok, it's not 100 % necessary, but they are entitled to be able to relax and/or work.

I echo those thoughts Btline. However rather than spend nigh on ^30,000 on a season if you are an MP from Plymouth and beyond, they should be looking hard at getting best value for the taxpayer - therefore All-Line Rovers could be purchased to cover the times when parliament is sitting. There's no need for an annual season that will go to waste when the MP is on holiday working in their constituency.

I don't think anyone has suggested that MP's are actually buying these tickets? Maybe a tongue in cheek remark has been taken too seriously.

And I agree that MP's should travel 1st Class. Whatever we think of them, I have no doubt that their most precious commodity is time, and so to have the environment to work effectively will be important to them. Speaking to Liam Fox on Saturday, he said that he had managed 9 consecutive days at home over Xmas, and that was a record for him. I can well believe it. 

[Brucey]

Why not add a Travelcard to that fare for just an extra ^912.00, bringing the total cost to a minute ^30688.00.

As an aside, you can have a bit of fun with Avantix^▸ (Ticket Issuing System used on board trains) Traveller.  I've managed to get it to give me a ticket price of ^4,557,167.90 for 99 adults and 99 children for the above season ticket+travelcard.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Maybe a tongue in cheek remark has been taken too seriously.

Indeed, John: I made a point of using the 'tongue in cheek' smiley in my comment!  

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

im interested in this ticket could i also add plus bus for plymouth

[JayMac]

As an aside, you can have a bit of fun with Avantix^▸ (Ticket Issuing System used on board trains) Traveller.  I've managed to get it to give me a ticket price of ^4,557,167.90 for 99 adults and 99 children for the above season ticket+travelcard.

Start fron PNZ and you can get Avantix to give you a price of ^4,593,401.90  

(Mods - Please feel free to move this topic to The Lighter Side - I did consider putting it there in the first place)