10:42am Friday 21st February 2003
By Times Group reporters
The predicted chaos did not materialise, so what is the quickest way of getting to Oxford Circus from the Hendon Times office at rush hour?
Quickest: by car
Time: 27 minutes
Starting the congestion charge on the first day of the half-term holiday was a masterstroke by Mayor of London Ken Livingstone, writes Leigh Collins.
My drive into central London from Hendon on Monday morning was surprisingly clear and devoid of any kind of traffic jam. The Mayor can now claim his congestion charge is a great success even though the half-term break would have taken away the considerable school-run traffic.
The eight-mile drive from Church Road, Hendon, down Finchley Road to Oxford Circus felt like a Sunday morning or a Bank Holiday journey. Last week, the traffic would have been solid along Hendon Way, Finchley Road and Baker Street, but the only time I stopped was at red traffic lights. I could not have hoped for an easier rush-hour drive.
After leaving our office in Church Road at 8.10am, it only took 27 minutes to drive the eight miles to Oxford Circus an average speed of around 18mph.
Paying only £5 for the congestion charge, plus petrol, it seemed like good value for money compared to a £6.20 peak-time Travelcard to complete the same journey by Tube (not counting the cost of keeping my car running of course).
But then there was parking to worry about. There was a plethora of available parking meter spaces in streets near Oxford Circus, but they were not cheap, costing £1 for 15 minutes, or 20p for three minutes. That would be fine if you were just popping into a shop, but for an eight-hour day at the office it would cost £32 and the maximum two-hour stay would make it impractical.
If anything, the ease of Monday morning's journey will encourage rather than discourage commuters to take their cars to work increasing the amount of money making its way into Mr Livingstone's coffers.
The real test for the scheme will come next week when the school run returns.
Second: by bike
Time: 35 minutes
Cycling in to Oxford Circus from Hendon to beat the congestion charge seemed a great idea in principle it's cheap, great exercise and good for the environment, writes Tom Spender.
But at 8.10am on a freezing Monday morning the eight-mile trek ahead had lost much of its appeal.
And when the chain fell off my bike before I had cycled ten metres, things looked even bleaker.
There was much less traffic than expected, although cycling down the A41 with its three lanes of hurtling metal was still an occasionally hairy experience and the hill leading up to Finchley Road felt like a mountain stage on the Tour de France.
Once in the sanctuary of the Finchley Road bus lane, I could relax and, apart from the nightmare of Swiss Cottage, the rest was easy riding, including a pleasant trundle through a deserted Regent's Park.
If you decide to cycle, make sure you have the right kit that means a helmet, gloves and a decent bike that will not let you down. You will also probably need a shower and another set of clothes to change into when you arrive. And be prepared for the return trip at the end of the day.
Third: by Tube
Time: 48 minutes
A man sits opposite me on the Tube reading his newspaper. On the reverse of his tabloid is a half-page advert with the words: "The congestion charge should be paid to people on the Tube. Because that's where it'll be most congested."
Not judging by this train it's not, writes Hugh Christopher. I am on the 8.24am from Hendon Central Tube station and there are plenty of seats available.
Nobody stands as we pass through Golders Green, Hampstead, Belsize Park even at Camden there is still room for commuters to sit and read their papers.
I arrive at Euston around 20 minutes later, to catch the Victoria Line train to Oxford Circus. I meet Hazel Reeve, of Camden, on the platform, who is travelling to work in Victoria. "So far, so good," she tells me. "I haven't really noticed any difference."
A few seconds later, our train arrives. It is absolutely packed so much so that I cannot even get on. Hazel's face drops.
I wait another two minutes for another, and this time just manage to squeeze in between a young lady in a suit and a large man in a white t-shirt. My face unfortunately ends up wedged into his armpit, such is the lack of space within the train.
But yet, a Londoner being upset about a crowded train is like an Eskimo complaining that it's a bit nippy outside.
On the basis of a rush-hour Tube journey, commuters travelling on the Northern Line needn't be too concerned at the moment.
Slowest: by bus
Time: 59 minutes
If the windows don't fog up, and you can get a seat, hopping on a double-decker bus is by far the most dignified way to travel.
But it is also the slowest, writes Sophie Kummer.
Mike Popat, 47, takes the 113 bus from Edgware because it costs him 65p one way on a supersaver ticket (£1 otherwise), where the Tube would cost £3.40 for the same journey.
He said: "It takes about an hour, so if I'm in a hurry, I take the Tube, but I'm hoping it will take less time now. Ken should ban cars altogether in central London."
Because it is half-term this week, the roads are much clearer than usual, and around 15 minutes will be shaved off the journey.
Mr Popat said: "The school runs make much more difference than congestion charging ever will."
Steven McGovern, 26, takes the 113 from Mill Hill and although things are quiet at the moment, he is certain he will be fighting for his seat within the year. He said: "Since January, there has been an increase in people on the bus, and definitely more people will get on in coming weeks.
"Give it another 15 months, and it'll be completely packed out."
What about parking spaces?
At 8am Hendon Central Tube station was deserted, writes Alex Kasriel. The surrounding roads had plenty of parking space, free of charge.
Despite the closure of the car park at Totteridge and Whetstone Tube station, there were no on-street parking restrictions in force.
Driving to the nearest Tube station and parking there for the day remains an option.
It costs between £1.60 and £2.50 per day and the car parks near Mill Hill East, Woodside Park and Edgware Tube stations all had space.
"You can't judge this week because the schools are on holiday and there is not so much traffic about here. But parking is always a problem here anyway," said Stan Fassett, of Naylor Road, Totteridge.
The car park by Mill Hill Broadway Thameslink station was already full at 8.45am. "I usually drive to the station but not today because it's 9am and the car park is always full by 8.10am," said Helen Reinhart, 27, a sales executive from Glendor Gardens, Mill Hill.
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