Rush Hour

[googolplex]

I'm planning a trip on FCC's Thameslink route between Flitwick/Bedford and London, but want to make sure I avoid the peak trains.
Can any one tell me roughly when the services stop being busy in the morning, and start getting busy in the afternoon?

 

[MidnightFlyer]

I'm planning a trip on FCC's Thameslink route between Flitwick/Bedford and London, but want to make sure I avoid the peak trains.
Can any one tell me roughly when the services stop being busy in the morning, and start getting busy in the afternoon?

after 9am and before 4.30 from Bedford Midland at a guess

 

[googolplex]

That's what I thought. The reason I ask is because I'm taking my brother and sister to Paddington and my parents are suggesting a train from Flitwick at about 8.10 should be fine as the advance tickets are a few quid cheaper - I disagree!

 

[jon0844]

It's more down to when they arrive in town. If people need to be at work for 9 or 9.30, then trains after will be fairly lightly loaded.

I get a train from Hatfield at 0901 and it's not that busy. The 0924 will be busier in the summer with leisure travellers going into London, but will only be crowded if there happens to be a large group of people for some reason (e.g. an event).

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Another thing to consider is the times of ticket validities. The first train on which "Off Peak" tickets are also valid can often be appreciably busier than the immediately preceding train on which only "Anytime" or "Advance" tickets are valid. Similarly in the afternoon, on the way back, when the last train on which "Off Peak" tickets are valid before the afternoon "peak period" comes into effect, might be busier than the next train thereafter.

 

[googolplex]

I managed to convince them to use the 10.04 instead, so that should be better as I believe the off-peak validity kicks in at around 09.30 for most tickets on that route.
I was helped by the fact that the East Coast website would only offer me an Anytime Return at 08.04, priced at £28.00 odd. I was however confused at it's refusal to let me use my railcard at all. It's August so the minimum fare doesn't apply, and even if it did, that wouldn't affect the discount on a £28 ticket.