London Thameslink to Bedford Super Off Peak Day Return

[laphroaig]

Thanks to previous kind advice on here I have in the past used a London to Bedford Off Peak Day Return when travelling from Harrow & Wealdstone (starting short) via Bletchley as this is cheaper than the HRW - BDM equivalent ticket.

Searching for travel on Saturday I found a remarkably good value Super Off Peak Day Return London to Bedford, which I presume has the same validity concerning starting short at HRW and travelling via BLY, could someone please confirm?

It has printed as 'London Thameslink' for some reason, I hope this won't cause any issues on my chosen route, it also says 'any permitted' after all.

Next question; as I will be returning late I will probably be using a direct EMT service to St Pancras, then wandering to Euston to catch a train back to HRW, so as I will have only used my outward portion from HRW - BDM could I use the 'unused' portion for EUS - HRW? I expect I'm pushing my luck with that!

 

[gordonthemoron]

your outward ticket may have been swallowed by the ticket barrier at Bedford, unless you get off at St Johns

 

[maniacmartin]

ching for travel on Saturday I found a remarkably good value Super Off Peak Day Return London to Bedford, which I presume has the same validity concerning starting short at HRW and travelling via BLY, could someone please confirm?

It has printed as 'London Thameslink' for some reason, I hope this won't cause any issues on my chosen route, it also says 'any permitted' after all.

The new Routeing Guide changes a few things, but one thing it does say is that if NRE makes an itinerary then it is basically valid. Searching for St Pancras to Bedford via Bletchley makes some itineraries, and crucially, none of them say you need 2 tickets when you click on them.

The stations St Pancras through to Elephant & Castle form the 'London Thameslink' group, so I think you are fine on that ticket. Note that even though NRE shows London Underground on the itinerary, if the ticket doesn't have the Maltese Cross, you will be rejected at any LU barriers and tube staff are unlikely to let you through.

Next question; as I will be returning late I will probably be using a direct EMT service to St Pancras, then wandering to Euston to catch a train back to HRW, so as I will have only used my outward portion from HRW - BDM could I use the 'unused' portion for EUS - HRW? I expect I'm pushing my luck with that!

You must be in a totally unused RTN portion for the OUT to be valid, so your idea isn't valid

 

[bb21]

It has printed as 'London Thameslink' for some reason, I hope this won't cause any issues on my chosen route, it also says 'any permitted' after all.

I don't think there is consensus as to whether a London Thameslnk ticket would be valid from Euston, since Euston is not considered as part of the ticketing group. See this post for more details.

I don't know the odds of success if you wish to go down the route of arguing what NRE suggested. You do so at your own risk. I cannot reproduce the result which shows the Super Off-Peak being valid that way. See below.

Next question; as I will be returning late I will probably be using a direct EMT service to St Pancras, then wandering to Euston to catch a train back to HRW, so as I will have only used my outward portion from HRW - BDM could I use the 'unused' portion for EUS - HRW? I expect I'm pushing my luck with that!

No, you are not allowed to do that. Once you start using your return portion, your outward portion is automatically invalidated. In addition, you are not allowed to use the second half of any leg of your journey first, then using an earlier leg.

 

[OwlMan]

I don't think there is consensus as to whether a London Thameslnk ticket would be valid from Euston, since Euston is not considered as part of the ticketing group. See this post for more details.

THe Manual explicity states that travelling via Bletchley is allowed.

Fares to and from central London stations on First Capital Connect’s Thameslink route via St Pancras International, Farringdon, City Thameslink and Blackfriars
From all stations between Bedford and Kentish Town (inclusive) fares are available to ‘LONDON THAMESLINK’ (NLC 4452). These may be used via the Thameslink route to travel to St Pancras International, Farringdon, City Thameslink, London Blackfriars, London Bridge or Elephant & Castle.

In addition, tickets from Bedford Stations to London Thameslink are also valid to London Euston via Bletchley (and vice versa).

 

[bb21]

THe Manual explicity states that travelling via Bletchley is allowed.

I stand corrected. This would appear to be a new item added between when the post I linked to was made and now.

 

[laphroaig]

THe Manual explicity states that travelling via Bletchley is allowed.

Excellent, thanks for confirming that.
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No, you are not allowed to do that. Once you start using your return portion, your outward portion is automatically invalidated. In addition, you are not allowed to use the second half of any leg of your journey first, then using an earlier leg.

Thanks, yes, I suspected there would be some rule preventing me from doing that, will use oyster to get back from Euston.