23rd January 2006
Hi all,
In the past month I've experienced both the practical ways to get into my work in the morning. As it turns out neither the bus or the train are ideal, but it is only fair to explain why.
For years after I moved up here I took the bus in and out of Glasgow on a daily basis. It was the cheapest and most convienient option at the time, but when my job rotated "shifts" to the point where I sometimes finished work at 6pm it was no longer an option for me. That's the problem when the last shuttles out of Glasgow tend to stop right at 6pm.
I used to get the buses in from nearby Wishaw. More services went from there and the prices weren't bad. However the problems were there:
i) Some of the coaches were old and consequently freezing in the winter.
ii) Some of the newer coaches had legroom suitable for a dwarf only.
iii) Some of the drivers smoked.
iv) Some of the drivers listened to George Bowie's show on Clyde 1 (sorry, I can't stand the guy. "What's all that about?").
v) The need to get up earlier and arrive home later due to traffic congestion on the M(h)8.
A few weeks ago when the car was paying its fortnightly visit to the garage I found myself taking the bus from the village instead. These buses are run by a different company, so even the cheap option no longer applies. ?4.25 a day! From what I've read you can get all round London zones 1 and 2 with an off-peak travelcard for just ?4.10 at the moment. Not a good start.
In addition to the pricing a lot of the other problems still exist. Thankfully I wasn't subjected to George Bowie, but I did have to endure prolonged discomfort. To make matters worse some of the buses home had unusual (i.e. non-existent) lighting, so I could forget about reading on the way home (one of the few benefits of commuting). The timing wasn't great either. The bus leaves the village at 7.10am and gets back at night around about 6.30pm!
The first day that I was back on the train was a major relief. Speed. A bit more comfort. Always decent lighting to read by and the opportunity to spend an extra hour in bed while also getting home about fifteen minutes earlier. Let's forget the idea about not renewing the season ticket, shall we?
Hang on a minute, hold that thought. Did I say about travelling in comfort? Well it takes experience to find comfort. Basically you have to sacrifice the limited stop service (n.b. standing room only) for one which goes a bit slower. Not a problem. When I start at 8.30am the limited stop service gets me into work twenty minutes early, while the slower train gets me in ten minutes early. Perfect timing.
Not so when there are vaguely described "problems". Before you know it one of the 783 ticket inspectors at Motherwell station is doing just about everything in his power short of using a cattle-prod to get you onto the limited stop service. Of course the problems mean that you're crammed into an over-heated carriage which is far from "limited stop". It stops everywhere (but at only one station before Glasgow City Centre). Meanwhile while you're trying not to pass out in the heat the smug passengers who got on at Lanark are seating in their seats with a look of complete contentment on their faces.
(I would personally like to send every passenger who gets on at Lanark to a game at Millwall where they've sat in the away end and watched the visitors win convincingly. This will ensure they get very quick practice of quietly uttering to their friends, "Stop laughing!" and looking needlessly downcast in every situation. This was how my friend Scott and I learnt this skill in 1996. Good times!)
Not getting a seat in the morning is one thing. Getting a seat on the way home is nearly impossible to find on any train leaving Glasgow between 5pm and 6pm. Why don't ScotRail put on more carriages at the time? Too much like commonsense I would guess.
So what is the solution to this dilemma? Well forget about taking the car into Glasgow. I did that last year when the wind caused havoc with the rail network. ?10 a day to park, not including fuel costs. There are only two real practical alternatives.
1) Move to Glasgow.
Sorry Glaswegians, I can't see this happening. More than just not liking Glasgow (because on the whole I don't like the place) I do happen to love where I am. I am ideally situated.
I can see some of the advantages of living in Glasgow. My boss and several other colleagues walk to work. I'd love to be able to do that! Of course I also hear about the difficulties of parking near their homes. Plus it is a bit too urban for me. And if it is too urban for me it is certainly not right for owning a dog, especially one who knows the village like the back of his paw.
2) Stop working in Glasgow.
Nice idea, in theory. But if my wife, brother-in-law and his wife can do it, perhaps it can be done. As much I've come to enjoy the company of my colleagues it might be time to move on. If it ever happens I'll be sure to mention the hassles of commuting in my notice.
Have a good week!
Tony
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