Ok, no. Maybe FGW is not an acronym for ‘Fine Great Waste’. But as my mother reads this blog from time to time, I thought it best to avoid a expletive starting with f which I feel might more appropriately describe the sort of waste that is First Great Western.
First Great Western is undoubtedly one of the worst train companies in England. The train line is consistently late and very expensive. At peak travel times (rush hour), a return ticket (round-trip) from Oxford to Paddington Station will set you back £49.50 – that’s $100 for our American friends! That’s a ghastly price to pay when one considers that Oxford is only 50 miles from London. To pay 50 quid for a late train with cramped seating is hardly an incentive not to drive.
Over the weekend, I took what I had hoped would be a fun and relaxing train journey into London from Oxford. But alas, no. The arrival/departure boards at Oxford station weren’t working and as there were no FGW staff on the platform, I managed to board a very slow train, one which stops at all 785 villages between Oxford and London. But that is but one story of travel misery – Oh! How I could go on!
But no, I’ll keep this short. And it’s sunny out today and I don’t want to spoil the sunny day with a rainy mood.
So, what’s your worst train commute story?
Here’s one: stuck underground for an hour on the District Line while the Circle Line party was underway. The party overflowed into our car and several older patrons were turning all shades of blue green purple while a 16 year old girl showed off her pole-dancing talents. It also smelled like puke.
btw, the Oxford Tube (bus) leaves from Victoria, only 20 quid, takes 1.5 hours and is very reliable. Next time….
Ali –
That’s awesome! I was wondering how long it would take for Circle Line party stories to filter through. Pukey-smelling Tube carriages are not enjoyable.
As for the Oxford Tube, that’s a story for another post. I always seem to catch the ones when the M40 gets closed!