Teenager pays £500 for 270-mile round Uber trip for grandfather’s 81st birthday

A teenage business student has forked out £500 for a 270-mile round Uber trip after train strikes almost derailed her grandfather’s 81st birthday.

Imogen Nicholson, 19, needed to travel from London to Durham in the North East, but learned her train had been cancelled due to the rail strikes.

She couldn’t get on a coach because she was travelling with her pet rabbit and animals are forbidden from the National Express coach service.

Ms Nicholson said missing the celebration was not an option for her, so she felt she had no choice but to order an Uber to complete the seven hour trip.

In all, the journey cost £526.

Imogen Nicholson, 19, needed to travel from London to Durham in the North East, but learned her train had been cancelled due to the rail strikes

Ms Nicholson said missing the celebration for her grandfather (pictured together) was not an option for her, so she felt she had no choice but to order an Uber to complete the seven hour trip

She said: ‘My grandad is definitely one of closest and dearest members of the family, I absolutely adore him. I just knew I’d do anything to be there, including forking out hundreds for an Uber.

‘It was a simple party, but family gatherings are so important to me, especially with me living far away from them now.

‘When I arrived, my grandad was so happy that he burst into tears – it was such a magical moment and it made it all worth it.’

Ms Nicholson said her family were relieved she was able to make it to the birthday, but were ‘disgusted’ she had to fork out so much money due to the strikes.

Regardless of the cost, Ms Nicholson said she has no regrets. 

‘It was worth it to see how happy grandad was,’ she said.

In all, the journey cost £526

And she’s made a ‘lifelong friend’ in the Uber driver who accepted her trip, saying he even called her to assure her he was ‘definitely on his way’ and was willing to do the job

And she’s made a ‘lifelong friend’ in the Uber driver who accepted her trip, saying he even called her to assure her he was ‘definitely on his way’ and was willing to do the job.

‘We chatted about the train strikes and about our lives, he moved to London to pursue his dream of the circus in 2007 – we were literally best friends by the end,’ she said.

‘He bought me a coffee, avocado sandwich and Nutella cupcake on the way there, and then we also stopped for a Chinese which I bought for us too.

‘He had to drive back to London after, so I bet it was a long day for him and he did text me to let me know he arrived home safe.’

In total, Ms Nicholson estimates she’s spent about £2,000 on Uber trips due to rail strikes and disruptions.

In total, Ms Nicholson estimates she’s spent about £2,000 on Uber trips due to rail strikes and disruptions

Commuters have been urged to avoid travelling if possible due to train strikes

The official RMT picket line outside Reading station this morning

 And fresh misery is on its way for commuters after rail union TSSA has announced 700 staff at West Midlands Trains (WMT) and Great Western Railway (GWR) will down tools on Wednesday December 28 – the day millions are expected to return to work.

Two new polls show that public support for rail strikes has dropped to 30% today from 43% in September – and strong opposition is on the up, according to pollsters Ipsos MORI, from 31% in September to 36% now.

Union boss Mick Lynch announced a ban on overtime working as part of this winter’s industrial action, and it is understood this led to a backlash from some members as they lost a lucrative option for clawing back earnings lost to strike days. This means rail workers may miss out on up to £5,000 in earnings.

Business Secretary Grant Shapps defended the Government’s approach to the public sector pay dispute as ‘fair and proper’.

He said people will ‘all end up much worse off’ if ministers award inflation-busting pay rises.