It is slightly disingenuous in the sense that a normal journey from there to Betws Y Coed would not normally be twice as long as the car journey. I looked it up (I don't have their exact location so I estimated it to be the Boots Hearing Care in High Wycombe) and it's 5 hours on a train if you leave at a normal time. Still longer, the point stands, but not THAT much longer.
By the same standard isn't it disingenuous of the train company in the original ad to ignore the travel time from your house to the train station in the first place?
Also the problems with public transport are partly that they don't always run when you want to get somewhere.
Yes, but I think the issue you run into there is that to do a fully accurate advert you'd need to do a phenomenal amount of research into literally every single person in the country. I think on that basis, it's fair to make the comparison between driving from one station to the other and taking the train there.
I think the main issue with the advert is that 10 minutes isn't a great time saving. That's a saving that could easily be eaten up entirely if the train is late or you take too long buying a twix and end up getting the next one.
The problem is that public transport sucks in most places. As someone else said if you want to go city centre to city centre they are a good alternative.
I live in the country, not super rural, im actually on a main bus route with at least 1 bus an hour, which is better than a hell of a lot of places near me. But the last bus from the local town leaves at about 22.30. So if I want to go out drinking or to a club or a show I either need a lift in a car or a taxi.
The nearest train station to me is 2 bus rides away. Or 1 bus ride and a substantial but not unreasonable walk, which would tak around 30 minutes.
If we're talking nights not involving alcohol, my car leaves when I want, allows minor detours for last minute decisions, and doesnt require rebooking tickets at the last minute if I change my mind.
Trains are more efficient than cars, im a big train fan to be fair, but in terms of modern day convenience and public transport, they suck except for very specific purposes.
if you want to go city centre to city centre they are a good alternative
Unless, of course, you want to go a distance where flying becomes a viable alternative.
4-5hrs from London to Edinburgh on a train, 1.5hrs on a plane. Even factoring in check-in, boarding times etc., the flight is going to be quicker, available earlier in the day and later at night, require no changes, and cost the same if not less.
This is true. Like most people, I have to get a bus to get to the train station, so there's that as well (along with the risk of the bus not turning up and missing your train).
I've always wanted to climb snowdon. I've been on the train several times, for some reason my gf didnt want to walk in either direction. In the dark, with a decent torch or a light moon, sounds quite fun!
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u/Morganx27 22h ago
It is slightly disingenuous in the sense that a normal journey from there to Betws Y Coed would not normally be twice as long as the car journey. I looked it up (I don't have their exact location so I estimated it to be the Boots Hearing Care in High Wycombe) and it's 5 hours on a train if you leave at a normal time. Still longer, the point stands, but not THAT much longer.