Since about now is a popular time to renew season tickets to miss the Jan fare rise, two - hopefully useful - tips.
1. If your season is an Annual Travelcard costing GBP 1500 or more, buy it at Marylebone Station from the Chiltern ticket office. It then counts as a qualifying season for unlimited weekend travel on the entire Chiltern network.
2. If your season is an Annual Travelcard, it'll come with a Network Gold card giving you a third off some fares on trains in the South East. However, it won't be coded onto your Oyster card, so you won't get a third off cash Oyster fares (eg the extension fare charged when travelling beyond your Zones). Go to an Underground ticket office (where they exist) or a roving member of staff (where they don't), ask nicely and they'll sort you out.
Tuesday 29 December 2015
Sunday 13 December 2015
New Rail Journey Planner
Fares supremo Barry Doe is recommending www.fastjp.com - see Rail Magazine 786. This is by Paul Kelly and Nick Brown, the creators of Trainsplit.com the website which can find you significant fare savings by showing you where to spilt your ticket (NOT your journey).
Barry continues to recommend brfares.com, but future plans for fastjp are for "a major new system that will incorporate fares as well [as times]".
I like the fact that up to 5 start and/or end stations can be specified - useful for those times when there is more than one convenient station at either end of your journey (though places like (say) Manchester with several stations called Manchester something are - as is usual - grouped together as if one station as an alternative to the separate stations.)
Barry dislikes the fact that most train fare websites constrain you to entering journey times, even if you plan to buy an "any time" ticket. We look forward to a site that allows the user to select ticket types before train times, if s/he wishes.
Barry continues to recommend brfares.com, but future plans for fastjp are for "a major new system that will incorporate fares as well [as times]".
I like the fact that up to 5 start and/or end stations can be specified - useful for those times when there is more than one convenient station at either end of your journey (though places like (say) Manchester with several stations called Manchester something are - as is usual - grouped together as if one station as an alternative to the separate stations.)
Barry dislikes the fact that most train fare websites constrain you to entering journey times, even if you plan to buy an "any time" ticket. We look forward to a site that allows the user to select ticket types before train times, if s/he wishes.
Monday 10 August 2015
Gospel Oak Line Woes with rail and path closures
The Victoria line is closed between Walthamstow Central and Seven Sisters until 30 August, and there will be a reduced service on the rest of the line.
Instead of Blackhorse Road, then, change between the B&GO and the Victoria at Seven Sisters / South Tottenham. This is an official out-of-station interchange and the shortest route for walking/cycling is (unsignposted) via Stonebridge Road, opposite S Tottenham Station.
This closure is likely to mean even more people attempting to use the already badly overcrowded B&GO between South Tottenham and Walthamstow Queen's Road, though there are rail replacement buses.
To add insult to injury, the not long opened direct walking route between Walthamstow Central and Queen's Rd - via Ray Dudley Way - is closed until 6 September, and according to the B&GO user group, the diversionary route (via Shrubland Road) has not been [well] signposted as at 8 August.
Instead of Blackhorse Road, then, change between the B&GO and the Victoria at Seven Sisters / South Tottenham. This is an official out-of-station interchange and the shortest route for walking/cycling is (unsignposted) via Stonebridge Road, opposite S Tottenham Station.
This closure is likely to mean even more people attempting to use the already badly overcrowded B&GO between South Tottenham and Walthamstow Queen's Road, though there are rail replacement buses.
To add insult to injury, the not long opened direct walking route between Walthamstow Central and Queen's Rd - via Ray Dudley Way - is closed until 6 September, and according to the B&GO user group, the diversionary route (via Shrubland Road) has not been [well] signposted as at 8 August.
Sunday 28 June 2015
Railway Working timetables
These are the actual timetables that the railway works to, as distinct from what it shows to the public. There are dozens of pdfs at http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browseDirectory.aspx?root=&dir=%5cTimetables%5cWorking%20timetable%20(WTT). I was a bit surprised to find, on a schematic map, "Gospal Oak" for Gospel Oak and "Leyton Road East" for Leyton Midland Road.
This information is presented in a more user-friendly way at:
www.brtimes.com
www.opentraintimes.com
www.realtimetrains.co.uk and
www.trains.im
I'm in the habit now when catching a train from a large or unfamiliar station, of noting which platform the train is booked to use. The train doesn't always use the booked platform, but this information is likely to be useable in the majority of occasions when they do.
You can get an incredible amount of detail - including about non-passenger trains - from this information.
This information is presented in a more user-friendly way at:
www.brtimes.com
www.opentraintimes.com
www.realtimetrains.co.uk and
www.trains.im
I'm in the habit now when catching a train from a large or unfamiliar station, of noting which platform the train is booked to use. The train doesn't always use the booked platform, but this information is likely to be useable in the majority of occasions when they do.
You can get an incredible amount of detail - including about non-passenger trains - from this information.
Friday 5 June 2015
Local Group Vox Pop - Barking & Dagenham
Prompted by the article in the Summer 2015 London Cyclist magazine, sub-headed 'LCC members explain how they got involved with their local groups and what they most enjoy about it'. I thought I'd do a vox pop on myself, using the same questions, but with no editor limiting the word count!
What is your role within the group?
What isn't? The answer to my question is that I'm not the treasurer, but any other named role you can think of, that's me. It's not to say others don't help, but no-one else apart from me and our treasurer has taken on a named role.
How long have you been involved?
In LCC 24 years this year.
What motivated you to join your group?
My older brother told me about LCC in about 1990 and from what I can remember I joined straight away. I was already campaigning. Then I met David Flintham who was running the B&D branch and the Havering branch as one. David persuaded me to run the B&D branch separately. I remember he referred to my "obvious skill and experience". Flatterer.
In your opinion, what's the best thing your group has ever achieved?
Possibly the input the the London Cycling Guides now published by TfL. That said, we have seen a sea change in the official attitudes to cycling in the last few years. Can we claim to be part of that?
In a typical month, what sort of activities do you get up to as part of your role?
Reporting potholes and other road defects, checking the press for new developments / street works to ensure they are cycle friendly. Checking the actual streetscape to see if it is cycle-friendly, especially where the plans said it would be. Updating www.meetup.com with any rides / events in or near the area. Reporting abandoned bikes to the council and to Gascoigne Cycling Centre for intended rcovery and re-use. Updating Facebook. Being the liaison between the LCC office and the branch.
What bike do you ride and how long have you been cycling?
I have a Dawes Streetwise Nexus, much of which dates back to 1996, and a Brompton M3, from this century. I have been riding for over 40 years.
What's the best thing about cycling in your borough?
I would say bikes on trains. Although we are served by The Underground, our railway lines are not under ground (except for the Channel Tunnel Rail Link!). Bikes are allowed on trains on all lines serving the borough. This makes getting out of the built up area with your bike easy (outside peak times).
And the worst thing?
The hills. No - joking - there aren't any. I would say the severance caused by the A13, A406 and A12 trunk roads.
What would you say to get people involved?
More members of LCC means more campaigning weight and - we hope - a better deal for cycling - and this applies at branch level too. Eyes and ears on the ground in as many parts of the borough would improve our knowledge of what's goig on as it affects cycling.
What is your role within the group?
What isn't? The answer to my question is that I'm not the treasurer, but any other named role you can think of, that's me. It's not to say others don't help, but no-one else apart from me and our treasurer has taken on a named role.
How long have you been involved?
In LCC 24 years this year.
What motivated you to join your group?
My older brother told me about LCC in about 1990 and from what I can remember I joined straight away. I was already campaigning. Then I met David Flintham who was running the B&D branch and the Havering branch as one. David persuaded me to run the B&D branch separately. I remember he referred to my "obvious skill and experience". Flatterer.
In your opinion, what's the best thing your group has ever achieved?
Possibly the input the the London Cycling Guides now published by TfL. That said, we have seen a sea change in the official attitudes to cycling in the last few years. Can we claim to be part of that?
In a typical month, what sort of activities do you get up to as part of your role?
Reporting potholes and other road defects, checking the press for new developments / street works to ensure they are cycle friendly. Checking the actual streetscape to see if it is cycle-friendly, especially where the plans said it would be. Updating www.meetup.com with any rides / events in or near the area. Reporting abandoned bikes to the council and to Gascoigne Cycling Centre for intended rcovery and re-use. Updating Facebook. Being the liaison between the LCC office and the branch.
What bike do you ride and how long have you been cycling?
I have a Dawes Streetwise Nexus, much of which dates back to 1996, and a Brompton M3, from this century. I have been riding for over 40 years.
What's the best thing about cycling in your borough?
I would say bikes on trains. Although we are served by The Underground, our railway lines are not under ground (except for the Channel Tunnel Rail Link!). Bikes are allowed on trains on all lines serving the borough. This makes getting out of the built up area with your bike easy (outside peak times).
And the worst thing?
The hills. No - joking - there aren't any. I would say the severance caused by the A13, A406 and A12 trunk roads.
What would you say to get people involved?
More members of LCC means more campaigning weight and - we hope - a better deal for cycling - and this applies at branch level too. Eyes and ears on the ground in as many parts of the borough would improve our knowledge of what's goig on as it affects cycling.
Sunday 31 May 2015
New car-sharing clubs / car microhire.
The Evening Standard mentioned www.drive-now.com and www.go-drive.com. The former operates in Hackney, Haringey, Islington and Waltham Forest boroughs and the latter currently only has cars in central London. Both are offering electric cars - the former BMW i3s and the latter Ford Focuses.
Go-drive offers free membership, which is good as there's no incentive to use the cars just to get money's worth, and it doesn't add to the cost of being in more than one car club / hire scheme to get the flexibility. Drive-now asks for a one off joining fee of £29 currently - no annual renewal.
Go-drive uses designated parking places for the cars, but you can return the car to any free one. It seems that the cars can only be hired 15 minutes in advance. This is pitched as no need to plan in advance, but if you want a car at a specific time it could be a bit annoying.
Drive-now does not have designated parking places and does allow you to pin a car down for up to 8 hours, though you have to pay for that. That's a downside of the park it anywhere operational model.
Each of the systems has its own app, but we can hope that some whizz-kid can come up with an app that works on all the cars in schemes that one is a member of. It seems likely that hirers will want a nearby car, rather than a specific club's car and a lot of the time they are not going to care what model of car it is.
Go-drive offers free membership, which is good as there's no incentive to use the cars just to get money's worth, and it doesn't add to the cost of being in more than one car club / hire scheme to get the flexibility. Drive-now asks for a one off joining fee of £29 currently - no annual renewal.
Go-drive uses designated parking places for the cars, but you can return the car to any free one. It seems that the cars can only be hired 15 minutes in advance. This is pitched as no need to plan in advance, but if you want a car at a specific time it could be a bit annoying.
Drive-now does not have designated parking places and does allow you to pin a car down for up to 8 hours, though you have to pay for that. That's a downside of the park it anywhere operational model.
Each of the systems has its own app, but we can hope that some whizz-kid can come up with an app that works on all the cars in schemes that one is a member of. It seems likely that hirers will want a nearby car, rather than a specific club's car and a lot of the time they are not going to care what model of car it is.
Saturday 23 May 2015
Barking Halfords has closed
People in the cycling world have mixed feelings about Halfords, but for years it has been all Barking has had that could be described as a bike shop. Now, the Abbey Retail Park is being redeveloped and Halfords is closed. I remember when they had a shop in East Street.
https://goo.gl/maps/Aizl8
https://goo.gl/maps/Aizl8
Thursday 21 May 2015
A little piece of local cycling history?
The signage in William St quarter (Anne Mews, King's Rd, Linton Rd, William St) has (largely) been corrected. (When originally installed it did not take into account that the one way restrictions did not apply to pedal cyclists.)
So, along with the fairly recently permitted "except cyclists" plates qualifying no-entry signs, at the other end of the road, signs (960.2 I believe) have been fitted that indicate contra-flow cycling (not a term I like, as cycling is "flow" too) without a lane.
These are surely a first in Barking & Dagenham. I haven't seen the in real life in this country, but that's not saying much.
Here are some photos of the signs in situ. I still think one or two of the signs are in error and I hope the council will correct this very soon.
Junction of Linton Rd and William Street
Junction of King's Rd and Anne Mews
Junction of William St and King's Rd
As above, facing North St. The sign is wrong as the stretch of road is not one way for cycling - see below.
The entrance to Kings Rd from North St. No entry except cycles means the road is not one way for cycling.
The entrance to Anne Mews from Linton Rd. The one way sign on the right is wrong. It should match the sign on the left. Not sure why the road is marked as a no through road.
So, along with the fairly recently permitted "except cyclists" plates qualifying no-entry signs, at the other end of the road, signs (960.2 I believe) have been fitted that indicate contra-flow cycling (not a term I like, as cycling is "flow" too) without a lane.
These are surely a first in Barking & Dagenham. I haven't seen the in real life in this country, but that's not saying much.
Here are some photos of the signs in situ. I still think one or two of the signs are in error and I hope the council will correct this very soon.
Junction of Linton Rd and William Street
Junction of William St and King's Rd
As above, facing North St. The sign is wrong as the stretch of road is not one way for cycling - see below.
The entrance to Anne Mews from Linton Rd. The one way sign on the right is wrong. It should match the sign on the left. Not sure why the road is marked as a no through road.
Wednesday 6 May 2015
Barking's hidden cycle storage
Take a look at the upper floor of the building containing the dentists in this view https://goo.gl/maps/ZvmRQ. I think these are the bike racks of building 5, as it's referred to in the travel plan helpfully sent to me by a potential resident. There are 233 of them according to the travel plan.
Go down the black and white path alongside the building and you will see an unmarked door leading to a stairs, secured by some kind of electronic lock.
Photos:
Next take a trip to Axe St and go down the service road next to the white block of flats - no 87 Axe St or "building 4". On the left you will see a low white building secured by a gate. I believe this is a bike store - capacity 40 according to the travel plan, though it looks like it's being used for rubbish.
Photos:
It seems to me that residents do not know about these facilities. They should be bought into use either for residents or for local workers, or even anyone who wants to use one.
Go down the black and white path alongside the building and you will see an unmarked door leading to a stairs, secured by some kind of electronic lock.
Photos:
Next take a trip to Axe St and go down the service road next to the white block of flats - no 87 Axe St or "building 4". On the left you will see a low white building secured by a gate. I believe this is a bike store - capacity 40 according to the travel plan, though it looks like it's being used for rubbish.
Photos:
It seems to me that residents do not know about these facilities. They should be bought into use either for residents or for local workers, or even anyone who wants to use one.
Thursday 16 April 2015
Collecting train tickets bought on line at the station
http://stibasa.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/collecting-onlne-train-tickets-at.html
I went to Barking station today to collect tickets that I'd bought on line. I went to use one of the larger, older ticket machines (non Oyster) and noticed that it asked for a payment card to be put in. I put in one of my cards, but not the one I paid with. There was no problem with that, but I couldn't complete the transaction owing to a fault with the on screen keyboard.
I went to use one of the newer ticket machines. The display said to put in the card that I'd paid for the tickets with, but I used another one (as above) and still got the tickets.
Obviously both the cards in question are mine, but the one I used has not been in a ticket machine before, and has not been used to buy a train ticket. Therefore I have reason to believe that any valid payment card would work.
The tickets were for Euston - Rugby.
I went to Barking station today to collect tickets that I'd bought on line. I went to use one of the larger, older ticket machines (non Oyster) and noticed that it asked for a payment card to be put in. I put in one of my cards, but not the one I paid with. There was no problem with that, but I couldn't complete the transaction owing to a fault with the on screen keyboard.
I went to use one of the newer ticket machines. The display said to put in the card that I'd paid for the tickets with, but I used another one (as above) and still got the tickets.
Obviously both the cards in question are mine, but the one I used has not been in a ticket machine before, and has not been used to buy a train ticket. Therefore I have reason to believe that any valid payment card would work.
The tickets were for Euston - Rugby.
Sunday 12 April 2015
Barking & Gospel Oak Line Rail Users' Group AGM
Will be held on Wednesday 29 April at 7pm in meeting room 2 at Barking Town Hall. Now is the time to renew (or take out) membership. See the BGORUG website for information about the group and the line, and a membership application form which contains details of how to by bank transfer.
It will be possible to join just before the meeting starts, but please arrive early to do this. Once the meeting starts it is too late.
It will be possible to join just before the meeting starts, but please arrive early to do this. Once the meeting starts it is too late.
Saturday 28 March 2015
Beware of walk on fares being cheaper than fares booked for nominated dates on line
If I understand him correctly, fares supremo Barry Doe is saying (in Rail Magazine issue 770) that on some ticket websites (he does not name them) if you tell the system the date you are returning it doesn't offer you so-called open returns that are cheaper.
His example is booking a journey where the out leg is a bargain basement £20 and the return leg is £73. Buyer assumes that £93 total is a good deal, but because s/he has not selected "open", the cheaper, walk-on return fare of £74 is not offered.
None of this is helped by the confusing and fairly recently changed nomenclature for the different tickets, especially as terms like "open" have changed their meaning - it is not an entirely new set of terms replacing the old ones.
His example is booking a journey where the out leg is a bargain basement £20 and the return leg is £73. Buyer assumes that £93 total is a good deal, but because s/he has not selected "open", the cheaper, walk-on return fare of £74 is not offered.
None of this is helped by the confusing and fairly recently changed nomenclature for the different tickets, especially as terms like "open" have changed their meaning - it is not an entirely new set of terms replacing the old ones.
Friday 20 March 2015
Refunds at ticket machines - redundant Oyster Cards
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/fares-and-payments/replacements-and-refunds/refunds-at-ticket-machines?intcmp=26352
If like me you use contactless (ie a bank or credit card) rather than Oyster PAYG, you should be able to redeem your unwanted Oyster Card's deposit and unused PAYG balance at an LU ticket machine.
I tried it on Barking's non LU ticket machines but wasn't offered the option. Not really a surprise, but still a disappointment.
If like me you use contactless (ie a bank or credit card) rather than Oyster PAYG, you should be able to redeem your unwanted Oyster Card's deposit and unused PAYG balance at an LU ticket machine.
I tried it on Barking's non LU ticket machines but wasn't offered the option. Not really a surprise, but still a disappointment.
Monday 2 February 2015
Reduce your heating energy use by keeping your home at a more even temperatture 24/7 - ?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/property/advice/9831697/Jeff-Howell-can-keeping-the-heating-on-low-all-day-reduce-costs.html
Is it better to keep your home at a relatively high minimum temperature all the time using your central heating, or should you only heat your home when you're in during the day time?
It's the golden question, and perhaps unanswerable - at least as a generalisation, but the article suggests the former is better.
Is it better to keep your home at a relatively high minimum temperature all the time using your central heating, or should you only heat your home when you're in during the day time?
It's the golden question, and perhaps unanswerable - at least as a generalisation, but the article suggests the former is better.
Friday 16 January 2015
Collecting online train tickets at the station
Normally collecting tickets bought on line (such as from the machines at Barking Station, for example), though it can be done at any machine, requires the card that was used to buy the tickets and the reference number provided by the ticket selling site. This is OK for most people, but not very handy for people who buy tickets on behalf of others.
But in Rail 765, Barry Doe says "it seems like some operators [which he doesn't name] ... allow some frequent 'trusted' customers to use any card to collect tickets. This means that those customers who have a history of successful purchases through the site are allowed to insert any card to bring up the on-screen keyboard on which to type in the reference number." "But, because there could [sc: can] be no general rule, people should be careful to check the wording on their printouts, to be sure they are allowed to do this."
By "printouts" I assume Barry means the information provided by the ticket selling website.
One such operator is Southern - See http://www.southernrailway.com/tickets-and-fares/buying-tickets/ticket-on-departure/ who allow this from ticket machines as well as human ticket clerks (only theirs I have to assume) and I'm not sure if you would have to buy tickets from their website.
Southwest, if I read it correctly, only allow it from human clerks - not from machines.
http://www.southwesttrains.co.uk/how-to-buy-tickets.aspx
But in Rail 765, Barry Doe says "it seems like some operators [which he doesn't name] ... allow some frequent 'trusted' customers to use any card to collect tickets. This means that those customers who have a history of successful purchases through the site are allowed to insert any card to bring up the on-screen keyboard on which to type in the reference number." "But, because there could [sc: can] be no general rule, people should be careful to check the wording on their printouts, to be sure they are allowed to do this."
By "printouts" I assume Barry means the information provided by the ticket selling website.
One such operator is Southern - See http://www.southernrailway.com/tickets-and-fares/buying-tickets/ticket-on-departure/ who allow this from ticket machines as well as human ticket clerks (only theirs I have to assume) and I'm not sure if you would have to buy tickets from their website.
Southwest, if I read it correctly, only allow it from human clerks - not from machines.
http://www.southwesttrains.co.uk/how-to-buy-tickets.aspx
Cheapest Gold Card
Barry Doe highlighted the cheapest Gold Card on the rail network as Lichfield Trent Valley to Lichfield City - see http://stibasa.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/cheapest-gold-cards.html. Unfortunately, as he reports in Rail 765, London Midland Trains realised that this not often sold ticket had hardly risen in price for 19 years and they promptly put it up from £108 to £144! It is still the cheapest, but see the link for why you might consider the Isle of Wight (Ryde) card at £168 if you're likely to be using South West Trains.
Wednesday 14 January 2015
New path and gate in Mayesbrook Park
http://stibasa.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/new-path-in-mayesbrook-park.html
Further to my post back in September about the new path (see link above) the new gate I expected is now in use.
The gate is between Exeter House to the East and Keele House to the west. These are in Academy Way near its junction with Honour Gardens. Academy Way at its E end fomas a crossroads with Lodge Avenue and Fitzstephen Road.
Further to my post back in September about the new path (see link above) the new gate I expected is now in use.
The gate is between Exeter House to the East and Keele House to the west. These are in Academy Way near its junction with Honour Gardens. Academy Way at its E end fomas a crossroads with Lodge Avenue and Fitzstephen Road.
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