A month or so ago friends of mine had been visiting family in London.

Went to Kings Cross for a train home in the late evening, no trains!

The three of them got an Uber to Huddersfield for £430, which seemed their best option at the time.

My son and friends did similar after the last train from Euston to Northampton was the first for 90 mins not to be cancelled. It was rammed beyond belief.

Saved a few quid by booking the Uber from Seven Sisters (or somewhere that way on the tube) rather than Euston.

Taxis seem hugely expensive. From where we live to Bristol airport is £70 for 26 miles and 40-60mins depending on time of day.

If I drive it costs ~£7-8 for fuel return. Double to include tyres, servicing, depreciation, airport drop off charges etc.

Taxis have higher vehicle costs (hire and reward insurance etc) and unless they have a timely pick up will come back empty. Probably 2 hours working time elapsed.

I don't know what the taxi company take for bookings and payment administration - assume 20% of the fare. At a guess the driver/owner ends up with ~£20 per hour - hardly excessive.

Not dissimilar to train fares in many ways - two in a car are almost invariably cheaper than the lowest priced off peak advance fares. Full fares are ruinous.

That cars are the preferred transport choice outside major urban areas is no surprise. Public transport (including taxis) needs a radical rethink and changed technologies to ever be competitive.

Last 5 week trip to Spain I left my car at the airport - Silver Zone, 5 minute courtesy bus to terminal. Cost I recall was about £110 - less than the price of taxis there and back.

Also had the benefit that all travel was within my control, not reliant on taxis turning up at the right time - although in fairness a failure to pick up would be somewhat unusual.