Sir – I enjoyed reading Christopher Gray’s article (August 11) on the merits of train travel versus coaches.

I am also a self-confessed train spotter, but I take issue that between Oxford and London the train is ‘cheaper, quicker and more comfortable’.

Mr Gray was lucky enough to get an off-peak advance ticket that worked out £3 cheaper than a coach adult return, although it was still £5 more expensive than a senior return that I’m sure he will soon be eligible for. However regular commuters would I’m sure prefer the cost of a £2,120 two-year Oxford Tube pass rather than £4,104 for an annual rail season ticket (soon to rise to £4,432).

Regarding comfort, the train may have a few inches extra legroom, however that is only beneficial if you’re lucky enough to get a seat!

Last week, The Oxford Times reported that Oxford to London trains were the most overcrowded in the country.

Even on Oxford Tube commuter services it is rare not to get a double seat to oneself allowing plenty of room to stretch out.

Finally regarding speed, yes the train may be quicker, even though it does involve a ‘tedious slog into Oxford’.

However when things do go wrong the coaches are often able to divert around the problem and drop off passengers at unscheduled stops. When you’re stuck on a train — you’re stuck!

Incidentally the record 46-minute journey time that Mr Gray boasts about didn’t include the 40-minute delay before he caught the train.

With around 80 Oxford Tube departures per day I can’t think of the last time I had to wait this long!

Philip Rumsby, Hempton