Or at least a cheaper one? With better access to public transport? This seems overbudget and public transport is not only better for the environment, it’s also more egalitarian. It would allow people from more impoverished backgrounds to more easily join our community, which—given our demographics—might be something we want to encourage.
EDIT: Yes I’m aware that you could reach the estate via public transport, the connection is just very bad (on the weekend you have to do a 26 minute walk), that’s why I said “better acces” not “at all accessible”.
This is not a comment on the cheapness point, but in case this feels relevant, private vehicles are not necessary to access this venue― from the Oxford rail station you can catch public buses that drop you off about a 2-minute walk from the venue. It’s a 20 minute bus ride, and the buses don’t come super often (every 60 minutes, I think?) but I just wanted to be clear that you can access this space via public transport.
Presumably it would be easy to arrange a conference minibus to shuttle attendees to and from the station. This seems like the least of the project’s problems.
(However, it is very difficult to hire taxis to go to and come back from there, which often takes 30 min). Edit: people can wait up to 1h30 to get a taxi from Wytham, which isn’t super practical.
It would allow people from more impoverished backgrounds to more easily join our community, which—given our demographics—might be something we want to encourage.
I would be surprised if public transport links were important for accessibility to lower-income demographics, in this specific context. Covering transport costs is common for events, and the last time I went there a train ticket from London to Oxford is pricier than a taxi ride from the station to Wytham.
Or at least a cheaper one? With better access to public transport?
This seems overbudget and public transport is not only better for the environment, it’s also more egalitarian. It would allow people from more impoverished backgrounds to more easily join our community, which—given our demographics—might be something we want to encourage.
EDIT: Yes I’m aware that you could reach the estate via public transport, the connection is just very bad (on the weekend you have to do a 26 minute walk), that’s why I said “better acces” not “at all accessible”.
This is not a comment on the cheapness point, but in case this feels relevant, private vehicles are not necessary to access this venue― from the Oxford rail station you can catch public buses that drop you off about a 2-minute walk from the venue. It’s a 20 minute bus ride, and the buses don’t come super often (every 60 minutes, I think?) but I just wanted to be clear that you can access this space via public transport.
Presumably it would be easy to arrange a conference minibus to shuttle attendees to and from the station. This seems like the least of the project’s problems.
(However, it is very difficult to hire taxis to go to and come back from there, which often takes 30 min). Edit: people can wait up to 1h30 to get a taxi from Wytham, which isn’t super practical.
I would be surprised if public transport links were important for accessibility to lower-income demographics, in this specific context. Covering transport costs is common for events, and the last time I went there a train ticket from London to Oxford is pricier than a taxi ride from the station to Wytham.
My understanding is the retreats will be mostly for academics working in the relevant fields, not the EA community, so I’m not sure this applies.