FIRST Great Western falls into the common trap of comparing fares with an average 43p per mile cost of running a car.

It doesn't work out like that.

Using the AA figures quoted, the first mile driven in a year costs £3,400 and all subsequent use thereafter is at the marginal cost of about 9p per mile.

If you have already bought a car for other reasons, paid for tax, insurance and depreciation, then whether you use it or not a particular day is only going to cost petrol, a tiny amount of oil and tread wear.

Consequently we only travel by train when Apex tickets are available, and then only when they work out cheaper than the petrol.

First Great Western fails to mention the exorbitant cost of station parking, which tips the balance even further.

John C Sreeves

Wanborough