I’d go as far as to say that commuting is the worst part of most people's day.
I’m one of the lucky ones who gets to work at home most days, but for those of you who line the platforms or take to the motorways every morning and night to get to and from work, I don’t envy you (not to rub it in) in the slightest.
The idea of commuting from Leeds to Manchester seemed like my worst nightmare, I have road rage and strongly dislike public transport at the best of times, so having to sit on a rush hour train seemed like hell to me.
Read more: Leeds rated one of UK's best places to live in Sunday Times guide
Manchester Victoria at peak time (5pm) was busy, it had workmen, office workers, day drinkers and every other group imaginable all travelling to different locations across the country. The station pub was bustling and there was hundreds of people rushing to find where they needed to be - but of course my platform, platform 4B heading to Leeds, was the busiest.
As I walked down the steps to catch my train I thought to myself “for f*** sake” this was not how I wanted to spend my Friday night stood like a sardine unable to find a seat for the next hour on a train. And to add to my fuel of rage it was DELAYED.
It showed up… late, and everyone pushed past each other onto the train, forgetting those things called manners but nevertheless I got on and off and I was surprised. Enough seats for everyone - a sea of green lights above the seats indicating they were available for anyone to perch in - relief was my only feeling.
I sat down in a free seat, next to the window, plug socket underneath so I could charge my phone and even more to my surprise nobody sat next to me (for the antisocial kind like me this was a dream). And what was even better than the fact I had no one trying to talk to me while I listened to my headphones was there was no stops before Leeds - a direct commute! At this point I’m feeling pretty damn good!
But this breeze of a rush hour commute left me wondering where all the horror stories of people being crammed onto trains had come from. I decided to speak to commuters to try and find out.
Alexandra, who works in Manchester but lives in Farsley, said: “It’s covid. Before covid you couldn’t move on these trains but everyone started working at home during lockdown and it just kind of stayed that way.
“It’s busier through the week but on a Friday Manchester is dead because most people stay at home. I’m just unfortunate and don’t have that option.”
Not only was the lack of people something that made this journey pretty great but the views were incredible. You get stunning panoramic views of Todmorden, Hebden Bridge and Sowerby Bridge which are enough to make you want to do this commute more often - I couldn’t believe how picturesque these parts of Yorkshire looked from up here and some of the houses were just out of this world.
With a cup of tea and a packet of crisps from the onboard train service I was happy - and almost felt guilty for prematurely slagging this commute, I’d hands down choose it over the M62 any day of the week.
Arriving home in Leeds was nice and easy too, greeted by people on their way out for the night, it gave me a warm ‘home sweet home’ feeling. I take back what I said about rush hour commuting being “hell” - it was surprisingly fine.
Read next:
- Tell us who you'd like to do a Leeds Festival 2023 secret set in our poll
- Sicilian street food specialists Poco announce third Leeds eatery - but new location is still a mystery
- Emmerdale stars to host a huge summer party for fans raising money for a good cause
- Six Leeds fish and chip shops named among very best in the UK in prestigious awards
- Excitement as Leeds bakery that started in back of van opens inspirational café
