I am a regular user of public transport and decided to phone Travel Line, which uses an 0871 number. To my horror, they charge 10 pence a minute, which is an absolute rip off.

Travel Line is a service dedicated to provide public transport information, but is not encouraging bus and rail usage by its charging policy. Thankfully, it is possible to call them on a local number, so if anyone wants to save some money, go onto the Say No to 0870 website!

err no they don't.

If you do not have a landline, a pay as you go mobile can cost 35p per minute.

Even an 0845 number can be 35p per minute!!!

The prices I have quoted are for calls from a landline. When I mentioned a local numbers I meant an 0191 number not an 0845 number, both of which are free from BT lines, with broadband option 2, after 6pm.

I acknowledge that calls from mobiles will cost more. BTW, how much is an 0871 number from a mobile?

Call 020 1104 8060 for the trains (automated service)
and call 01234 757012 for the road information (also automated)

Both are normal landlines and route to the same places as the 0871 numbers.

Hope this helps.

I've always ignored the 0871 number, and carried on calling our local 0121 number, doesn't matter now with having a car again.

Our phone system at work automatically blocks 0871 numbers, which makes life difficult for many of the 150 + staff who rely on public transport to travel to meetings in the area. I have managed to unearth a local number, which has been placed on the office intranet. I just hope that Travel Line don't block it, when they get swamped with phonecalls using it!

Surely the internet is a better way of finding out about trains, at least.

I haven't made any train enquiries any other way for the last 10 or so years.

The internet is fine for trains, but is no good if you need details of bus times or updates about the Tyne & Wear Metro. If I want to know which buses take me to a specific destination in a town I need to speak to someone direct.