currently working in Chester and living in Cheltenham, business relocation. I can get to work at an average 60mpg, so a smidge over 2 gallons, say £12 each way? I have to pay for the tax, insurance regardless of whether i use the car or not.
If i use the car i can take my bike so i can get around in the week without the car, if i go by train, who knows a complete lottery and forget taking any amount of luggage. New trains are so spacious!!!
Now i have to be at work at 9am on a monday morning, it simply isn't going to happen the trains don't run that early.
finally according to Trainline the standard off peak return price is £52.40. I suppose you could say i could book in advance, but the point of the car is convenience, so "public" transport needs to try and get somewhere near. ie turn up and go pricing, not book 6 months in advance and hope you get one of the limited availability tickets. Of course there is then the tiny detail of the train arriving, never guaranteed.
I would like to point out i only learnt to drive three years ago because i was sick and tired of cancelled trains and the costs simply didn't work, and if two of you are travelling a car does not cost twice as much.
£1000 sums it up.