Why are the commute trains from Paddington to Reading so bad (and expensive)?
Why are the end of work commute trains from Paddington to Reading always so awful?
Firstly, there is always a huge mob of commuters waiting in Paddington station, as the departure boards read “cancelled”, “delayed” and “preparing”. Then the moment a platform is announced (late), there is a huge, Hillsborough-esque crush through the barriers.
Once you’re on the train, they almost never leave on time, and you’re often left standing.
After hundreds of commutes, not once have I made it back to Reading within the stated 23 minutes. The trains take ages to get up to speed, always slow to a crawl going passed Southall and Maidenhead, and quite often grind to a halt, with updates from the train driver being exceedingly rare, and most of the time you can’t even understand what hes saying anyway.
Can anyone explain why a peak time day travel card is a whole £65 (without a Railcard, and bought from the station), whilst being an absolutely terrible and unreliable service?
It is important to note that the quality and reliability of commuter train services can vary for a variety of reasons. In the case of the commute trains from Paddington to Reading, there are several factors that may contribute to the perceived poor service.
One potential reason for the frequent delays and cancellations could be attributed to the age and infrastructure of the train lines. The Great Western Railway line, which operates trains from Paddington to Reading, is known to have some older tracks and signaling systems that may be prone to issues and delays.
Additionally, the high volume of commuters traveling on this route during peak times can also contribute to delays and overcrowding. Paddington station is a major hub in London with many commuters traveling to and from the city, leading to crowded platforms and trains.
Another factor that may impact the cost of tickets on this route is the overall demand for travel between Paddington and Reading. If this route is popular and frequently used by commuters, the train operators may set higher ticket prices to reflect the demand for the service.
It is also worth considering that maintenance and operational costs for running train services can be expensive, which may also contribute to the higher ticket prices for commuters traveling on this route.
In summary, the poor service quality and high ticket prices for commute trains from Paddington to Reading may be influenced by a combination of factors such as infrastructure issues, high demand for the service, and operational costs. If you are experiencing ongoing issues with the service, it may be worth reaching out to the train operator or local transport authority to provide feedback and seek potential improvements.