Crossrail/Elizabeth Line. From construction to operation - ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[Marlburian]

... Some of the vox pops on the TV item still don't seem to realise that it takes an hour to get from Reading to Paddington, yet the reporter said that when Crossrail was fully open it would be possible to get from Reading to Central London in under an hour...

The thought  occurs that since the 1970s and the introduction of HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) it's been possible to get from Reading to Central London within an hour: 25 minutes to Paddington; 10-minutes walk and wait for Tube; 15 minutes to Oxford Circus.

[Fourbee]

This just looks like a fudge to have a curtain raiser before the Jubilee; open... but in 3 parts (split at Paddington and Liverpool Street). So not really open then.

Running throughout by May 2023... that's got a Benson & Hedges calculation about it.

[Reading General]

... Some of the vox pops on the TV item still don't seem to realise that it takes an hour to get from Reading to Paddington, yet the reporter said that when Crossrail was fully open it would be possible to get from Reading to Central London in under an hour...

The thought  occurs that since the 1970s and the introduction of HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) it's been possible to get from Reading to Central London within an hour: 25 minutes to Paddington; 10-minutes walk and wait for Tube; 15 minutes to Oxford Circus.

Not sure if the journey time has differed that much in the time but the Bakerloo line timetable suggests 8 minutes journey time on the train to Oxford Circus underground from Paddington underground. Obviously leaving the station takes a bit of time has the platforms at Oxford Circus seem to be half way down Regent Street towards Piccadilly. Which does make me wonder whether you could just fool people into walking large distances in underground tunnels instead of running trains. Anyone who’s ever used the lie of a tube entrance for South Kensington station on exhibition road by imperial college.

[didcotdean]

With the planned full service in the peak there would be two services to/from Reading that would make just five intermediate stops (Twyford, Maidenhead, Slough, West Drayton and Ealing Broadway). Although at around a 20 minute time disadvantage to Paddington compared with the non stop services, some might decide not having to change for their onward journey to be worth it. How many remains to be seen.

[TonyK]

With the planned full service in the peak there would be two services to/from Reading that would make just five intermediate stops (Twyford, Maidenhead, Slough, West Drayton and Ealing Broadway). Although at around a 20 minute time disadvantage to Paddington compared with the non stop services, some might decide not having to change for their onward journey to be worth it. How many remains to be seen.

I think a lot will, especially as the chance of a seat is high if you are staying on past Paddington. A lot of passengers will be getting off there for destinations other than Reading. You don't have to get off and board another train, which may cost you that time advantage if the second train doesn't leave within moments of you getting to the platform.

[paul7575]

…Which does make me wonder whether you could just fool people into walking large distances in underground tunnels instead of running trains. Anyone who’s ever used the lie of a tube entrance for South Kensington station on exhibition road by imperial college.

Ah, I did wonder why the original Tyne (pedestrian) Tunnel didn’t have any trains in it… 

[stuving]

…Which does make me wonder whether you could just fool people into walking large distances in underground tunnels instead of running trains. Anyone who’s ever used the lie of a tube entrance for South Kensington station on exhibition road by imperial college.

Ah, I did wonder why the original Tyne (pedestrian) Tunnel didn’t have any trains in it… 

I do remember my Dad saying, as something commonly said earlier (i.e. 30s-50s), that having half of their passengers walking through a tunnel was how the Underground managed to cope with such large numbers.

[Reading General]

Many don’t seem to notice how far they walk underground without landmarks, they do just follow the signs and the crowd. The same is true of how far people are willing to walk indoors in a shopping centre perhaps, or inside the barriers of stations. If you get off the last coach of a ten coach southern electric train at Reading the barriers are further away than Friar Street is from the same barriers.

[Surrey 455]

The Evening Standard have noticed that a contactless journey from Reading to Tottenham Court Road is cheaper if you tap out then in again at Slough.

From London Evening Standard

A peak time trip from Reading to Tottenham Court Road costs £28.50 for an adult tapping in and out using a contactless card, according to Transport for London’s Fare Finder.

However, a trip from Reading to Slough costs just £5.90 while Slough to Tottenham Court Road costs £11.80.

The loophole exists as prices switch between Transport for London (TfL^» (Transport for London - about)) fares and National Rail fares at stations further outside the capital, according to the Telegraph.

This allows commuters to make a saving of £10.80 if they choose to tap in and out at Slough rather than travel directly from Reading.

[Electric train]

The Evening Standard have noticed that a contactless journey from Reading to Tottenham Court Road is cheaper if you tap out then in again at Slough.

From London Evening Standard

A peak time trip from Reading to Tottenham Court Road costs £28.50 for an adult tapping in and out using a contactless card, according to Transport for London’s Fare Finder.

However, a trip from Reading to Slough costs just £5.90 while Slough to Tottenham Court Road costs £11.80.

The loophole exists as prices switch between Transport for London (TfL^» (Transport for London - about)) fares and National Rail fares at stations further outside the capital, according to the Telegraph.

This allows commuters to make a saving of £10.80 if they choose to tap in and out at Slough rather than travel directly from Reading.

It would mean a much much slower journey, there would not be enough time at Slough to get off of a train from Reading tap out allow the system to time out (anti fraud) and then get back on the same train, I guess for sum the the saving of £10.80 would be worth it

[TaplowGreen]

The Evening Standard have noticed that a contactless journey from Reading to Tottenham Court Road is cheaper if you tap out then in again at Slough.

From London Evening Standard

A peak time trip from Reading to Tottenham Court Road costs £28.50 for an adult tapping in and out using a contactless card, according to Transport for London’s Fare Finder.

However, a trip from Reading to Slough costs just £5.90 while Slough to Tottenham Court Road costs £11.80.

The loophole exists as prices switch between Transport for London (TfL^» (Transport for London - about)) fares and National Rail fares at stations further outside the capital, according to the Telegraph.

This allows commuters to make a saving of £10.80 if they choose to tap in and out at Slough rather than travel directly from Reading.

It would mean a much much slower journey, there would not be enough time at Slough to get off of a train from Reading tap out allow the system to time out (anti fraud) and then get back on the same train, I guess for sum the the saving of £10.80 would be worth it

Given the frequency of the services it need only be about 20 mins slower - leave a bit earlier, get off at Slough, nip over the road to Starbucks and get a coffee, stroll back over to the station, tap back in and get on the train - for anyone who still commutes daily that's saving you £54 a week, well worth it!

[Reading General]

What a ridiculous rail system we have where stuff like this exists. High prices for those who don’t individually do the research. It’s 2022.

[GBM]

- for anyone who still commutes daily that's saving you £54 a week, well worth it!

Well, less the cost of the LARGE coffee (in my case, PLUS a roll of some sorts) 

[TaplowGreen]

- for anyone who still commutes daily that's saving you £54 a week, well worth it!

Well, less the cost of the LARGE coffee (in my case, PLUS a roll of some sorts) 

A forward roll will cost you nothing, but put the coffee down first, and being Slough, best check for unpleasant surprises on the pavement.

[stuving]

What a ridiculous rail system we have where stuff like this exists. High prices for those who don’t individually do the research. It’s 2022.

This just reflects the way GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) pricing has been for years. Contactless fares for the bit outwards of Paddington (which is most of the cost here) have been set at half the equivalent day return fare. For Reading-Paddington you can split at Slough: £11.80+£18.60 vs. £52.10 (anytime) saving £21.70. In this case you don't even need to get off!