Fact Sheet 11 - Road versus rail -
Journey Length distributions / Speed and fares
This note provides comparisons between bus/coach and rail
as now and as might be if the bus/coach enjoyed rights of
way similar to those enjoyed by rail.
Table 3.3 of the Transport Statistics Bulletin with the sub
title National Travel Survey 1997/99 Update, published by
the DETR in August 2000 provides journey length distributions.
We plotted the data and found that 50% of all surface rail
journeys are less than 19 miles long 85% are less than 52
miles long and 90% are less than 80 miles long. In contrast
dividing passenger-km by passenger journeys from tables 5.11
and 9.2 of Transport Statistics Great Britain yields an average
journey length of 41 km or 25 miles for national rail.
Hence although the headline speed for a high-speed train
is much faster than an express coach, those speed differences
will be of little interest to bulk of rail passengers. Additionally
the bus would offer a service frequency up to 10 times that
of rail.
Meanwhile rail fares are up to 5 times as expensive as existing
express coach fares and perhaps 10 times as expensive as would
arise if the coaches could used uncongested rights of way
as do trains. Moreover, rail fares would have to at least
double to eliminate subsidy from the tax payer whilst the
buses are profitable despite paying substantial taxes.
For illustrative purposes we quote the distances, journey
times and fares for a sample of journeys from Euston. The
fares are those for 2001. Estimated express coach times are
based on 60 or 65 mph average speeds. (Railtrack used 65 mph
at the Inquiry into the West Coast Main Line Modernisation
Programme). Proposed fares for Return Bus are based on a doubling
of the bus productivity since journey times would often be
reduced by a factor of 2 and occupancy would rise above the
average achieved today.
Omitted from the data is a plethora of special offers for
rail but no doubt the bus industry would offer the same as
the market developed.
| |
Miles |
Times Hours-min, |
Fares Pounds
and pence |
|
Rail |
Bus to Euston |
Single |
Return Rail |
Return Bus |
|
Dist
miles |
Now : future
hr-min : hr-min |
Rail |
Bus |
Season
/ day |
Range |
Now |
Proposed |
| Watford |
17.75 |
0-20 |
N/A |
5.20-5.80 |
N/A |
12.2 |
5.30-10.60 |
N/A |
N/A |
| Milton Keynes |
49.75 |
*0-38 /
1-07 |
1-25 :0-42 |
12.60-15.20 |
6.00-7.00 |
12.5 |
12.70-26.60 |
6.50-9.50 |
3.25-4.75 |
| Northampton |
65.75 |
*1-16 /
0-56 |
2-05 : 1-00 |
14.80-20.60 |
6.50-8.50 |
13.4 |
14.90-35.10 |
7.50-12.00 |
3.75-6.00 |
| Birmingham |
115.25 |
1-35: 1-10 |
2-40 : 1-46 |
29.50-43.50 |
9.00-10.00 |
24.9 |
21.50-80.00 |
10.00-15.00 |
5.00-7.50 |
| Manchester |
195.5 |
2-30:1-50 |
4-30 : 3-00 |
19.00-44.00 |
13.00-1500 |
N/A |
45.00-150.00 |
14.00-25.00 |
9.80-17.50 |
In advance |
20.00-40.00 |
|
|
| Liverpool |
193.5 |
2-45:1-50 |
4-30 : 3.00 |
19.00-44.00 |
13.00-1500 |
|
45.00-140.00 |
14.00-25.00 |
7.00-17.50 |
In advance |
20.00-40.00 |
|
|
| Glasgow |
401.25 |
5-15:4-10 |
9-10 : 6-10 |
28.00-76.00 |
20.00-24.00 |
|
77.00-175.00 |
25.00-34.00 |
17.50-23.80 |
In advance |
29.00-60.00 |
|
|
Notes:
- Future rail times are those proposed by Railtrack.
- Future bus times and proposed bus fares assume uncongested
roads providing 65 mph average speeds through to Euston.
*fast/slow.
The data shows that the express bus would be ever so attractive
except to those on the most immense salaries. Even the latter
would probably prefer the bus to the rail for all but the
longest journeys. Certainly Commuters could all have seats.
May 21st 2002
|
