Trains 'too costly' for rail firm

[G-CPTN]

Network Rail is transporting 200 staff by coach from Reading to Coventry for a conference because of the high cost of train tickets, it has emerged.
The rail operator has opted to shun train travel for road transport as it is more than £24,000 cheaper.
If open return tickets were bought for all the staff it could cost up to £27,000 - £135 each. But coach travel, at £12 a head, will cost just £2,400.

From (and more at):- http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8354358.stm

Network Rail workers do not get free travel or discounts.

[Western SMT]

If all were travelling together then getting 200 on a train is a lot to ask and even more if they wanted a seat as well.
For what it’s worth an off peak return from a well-known ticket seller is £41.30 and anytime return is £74 with 1st class off peak at £94.
All cheaper than the £135 stated but obviously not as cheap as the bus at £12

[G-CPTN]

It sounds like the figures quoted may have been chosen to offset the decision to use road transport.
One commentator suggested that they could have commissioned a 'special' train from one of the operating companies. Maybe that would have been £135 per head.

The recent disclosure of the £1000 (First Class) return fare from Newquay to Kyle of Lochalsh ( http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8340561.stm ) when the same fare was half that a few years ago and the highest cost of a similar TGV journey in France is a third of the price highlights the mess that the fares and ticketing system is in.

[redd9]

Says a lot for our Rail network!