Yikes, that was quite a travel year. Since I was voted in as co-chair of the European Greens in December 2024, I’ve travelled a lot to meet in person with member parties, and where I can, I take the train, though there’s been a lot of flights as well. I’ve also travelled to speak at events relating to legislation that I worked on over my time as an MEP: the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.
Around half my travel was ‘low carbon’ though, so that was a step in the right direction. 80,000 kilometres, 38,000 by train, and ferry. You can see some of my journeys from this map of where I snapped photos along the way. Still, it did involve 200 trains, 50 buses and taxis, and 45 flights. Oh, and did I mention tele-working? There were also about 250 online meetups. My travel carbon footprint? About 9.5 tonnes of CO2. I've made a stab at mapping the travel using the geo-tags from my photos on Google Images.
What take-away from all of this? Improve the onboard Wi-Fi on trains and make it easier to log on. Persuade Transport for Wales to allow trains departing from Holyhead to wait for up to ten minutes to facilitate ferry foot passengers. Reduce the security checks in Holyhead ferry terminal for foot passengers embarking by ferry, as they far exceed the checks for those who travel by car. Provide Fast-track disembarkation by bus for foot passengers arriving by ferry at Dublin and Holyhead Port. Show train departures from Holyhead in the Holyhead customs hall for foot passengers arriving by ferry and travelling onwards by train. Provide Wi-Fi, ferry information and announcements in Holyhead embarkation lounge for foot passengers boarding the ferry. Improve the pre-check-in toilet facilities at Holyhead. It is a long list, but achievable. My long list would include an overnight sleeper train between Holyhead and London, or a ‘sleeper bus’ with couchette seating that could take you all the way from Dublin to Paris or Brussels.
Still though, a Sailrail ticket between Ireland and the UK is surprisingly good value. I generally top it up to Club Class which gives you video quality Wi-Fi across the Irish Sea, oh and they throw in a continental breakfast on board, and a free newspaper for that nostalgic feel. The price doesn’t increase before the departure date, unlike the Eurostar ticket which can sky-rocket in price unless you purchase a few weeks out. I absolutely appreciate that many people can’t contemplate a half day travelling from Dublin to Brussels, and for so many who are caring for children, parents or others it is well-nigh impossible. However, if you can afford the time, and if your job involves a lot of screen time, a train or ferry can give you time to think, to read, or to catch up on emails.
If you’re not a regular continental train user, be warned that German long-distance trains are notoriously late, Polish train food is delicious, and Belgian trains are pretty reliable. A full water flask is a must, and a warm coat and scarf for winter travel in case you’re stuck on a cold platform. Patience and sense of humour helps, and an understanding that front-line staff can’t work magic if you’re going to miss a connection.
I wrote this post at Holyhead Port, where high winds cancelled the afternoon ferry, but the evening boat sailed. In the meantime, I got a good afternoon’s work done in the town library, housed in a wonderful old Markets building where the locals were friendly, the Wi-Fi free, and the staff called up a cafe for me to check it would be open for an evening meal. The joys of slow travel!
