One of the (many) criticisms directed at rail travel is that its too expensive, and expensive in comparison with car travel. Research has been carried out showing how much it really costs to run your car, and when you think of the sometimes huge discrepancy in petrol prices to be found in towns in Pembrokeshire (91p a litre with a town of two petrol stations to 99p in a town with just one petrol station!), more people, I hope, will be encouraged to think of the train for their journey.

Here's some ideas for starters.

1 - I have written on here before about the Pembrokeshire Railcard. At just £5, it is unbelievably cheap; will pay for itself after just two journeys up to Swansea. I dont know why everyone in Pembrokeshire hasnt got one yet.e-mail me for more information: MYoungman@carmarthenshire.gov.uk.

2 - Second, get yourself a national Railcard.

For the over 60s you can get a Senior Railcard for £20, £10 if you hold a Pembrokeshire County Council Bus Pass. It gives you a third off most train fares throughout the whole of the UK. It will have paid for itself after just one journey to the likes of Bristol, Shrewsbury, London, Manchester. Senior Railcard

If you have a family, the Family Railcard is for you. Costs £20, and gives a range of discounts for up to 4 adults and 4 children. Family Railcard

If you are aged between 16 and 25 then the Young Persons Railcard is for you. It again costs just £20, and gets a third off most train fares throughout the whole of the UK. Young Persons Railcard

The Senior Citizens, Family and Young Persons Railcard all offer a discount on the advance purchase tickets to places such as Shrewsbury, Manchester, London - basically anywhere over 100 miles from Pembrokeshire. So much so, at the time of writing this blog entry i've found a ticket to travel to London this coming Saturday for just £16.85

The advance purchase tickets are available up to the day before you travel, but generally the further in advance you can book your ticket - the better.

And for those who will say but i often dont know when i'm travelling until the day of travel, do you know what your petrol will cost on the day you travel. Will it be the same, or higher than it was just a week ago; a day ago.

Train travel - surprisingly cheap