Commuters have expressed outrage online after it was claimed that taking an Uber from London to Manchester could be cheaper than booking a train ticket at peak times. The debate was sparked when a user shared a screenshot of sky-high train fares on X (formerly Twitter), which quickly went viral, racking up 2.2 million impressions.
The screenshot, taken from the TrainLine app, showed three direct morning trains from London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly, with standard tickets priced at an eye-watering £369.40 and first-class fares reaching £535.
The user who posted the image commented sarcastically: “At this point, it’s cheaper to buy a banger, drive it and abandon it each trip.” This sentiment struck a chord with commuters already frustrated by rising rail prices in the UK.
However, things escalated when another user responded, claiming it was actually cheaper to take an Uber than a train for the same journey. The reply included a screenshot of an UberX journey from South West London to Manchester Piccadilly priced at £364.58—just a few pounds less than the train fare.
This revelation triggered a flood of angry comments. One user bluntly stated, “The UK is an unrelenting s***hole,” while another quipped, “£369.40 and you’ll still be without a seat.” Many echoed the sentiment that train prices had become increasingly unreasonable. One commuter added, “I just don’t understand how the train prices have gone so out of control.
Others in the discussion pointed out that the train fare in the screenshot might have been for an open return, which could explain the high cost. Some suggested that booking individual journeys could result in cheaper fares. One user clarified: “This looks like open return prices. If you book a return with each train selected, it’s much cheaper. But it’s still mega expensive.”
Despite the debate over pricing, the comparison between an Uber ride and a peak-time train ticket has further highlighted frustrations with the UK’s rail system. Rising costs, overcrowded trains, and inconsistent services have left many travellers calling for a much-needed overhaul of the rail industry.
