Glasgow to Eskbank/Musselburgh Off Peak returns

[125MPH]

Out of curiosity, does anyone know how the price of Off Peak returns are set? I had assumed that the price of single tickets was set, and then returns would be a % extra from that, however it doesn't seem to be quite that simple. For example, looking at two fares from Glasgow:

Glasgow to Musselburgh: £14.10 single, £22.40 off-peak return

Glasgow to Eskbank: £16.00 single, £17.40 off-peak return

Both are essentially Glasgow-Edinburgh, with a short suburban extension the other side, yet going to Eskbank is a more expensive single, but a cheaper return than going to Musselburgh. Incidentally, it appears to now offer the cheapest way of buying an "open" return between Glasgow and Edinburgh. It would make sense if one was a day return, but they're both valid for 1 month.

 

[Starmill]

There are a lot of these oddities in the Central Belt. In this case it could be to do with the strict availability of day returns vs period returns. There are no period returns from North Berwick to Helensburgh Stations. Yet there are no day returns for the much shorter journey along the same route from Glasgow to Musselburgh!

ScotRail's pricing policies are a mixed bag. Some fares seem great value e.g. Tweedbank to Garelochhead is a very good value £28.00 Off-Peak Return. It's nearly double to Arrochar and Tarbet at £54.00! I wonder if the minister who promised to end the need to 'split' in Scotland has a revised date for their ambitions?

Just a further point that should give you a feel for what you are dealing with here these are the cheapest returns:

Glasgow Central / Queen Street - Stranraer Off-Peak Return (after 0915) - £21

Ayr - Stranraer Off-Peak Return (after 0915) - £17.40
Girvan - Stranraer Anytime Day Return - £16.10
Barrhill - Stranraer Anytime Day Return - £14.90

Pollokshields East - Stranraer Off-Peak Return (after 0915) - £44.20

 

[125MPH]

Some fares seem great value e.g. Tweedbank to Garelochhead is a very good value £28.00 Off-Peak Return. It's nearly double to Arrochar and Tarbet at £54.00!

Glasgow Central / Queen Street - Stranraer Off-Peak Return (after 0915) - £21
Pollokshields East - Stranraer Off-Peak Return (after 0915) - £44.20

These examples are interesting:

+---------------------------------+--------+-----------------+----------------------------------+
|             Journey             | Single | Off Peak Return | Return Discount (vs two singles) |
+---------------------------------+--------+-----------------+----------------------------------+
| Glasgow to Musselburgh          | 14.1   | 22.4            | 21%                              |
| Glasgow to Eskbank              | 16     | 17.4            | 46%                              |
| Glasgow to Stranraer            | 12.7   | 21              | 17%                              |
| Pollokshields East to Stranraer | 24     | 44.2            | 8%                               |
| Tweedbank to Garelochhead       | 26     | 28              | 46%                              |
| Tweedbank to Arrochar           | 36     | 54              | 25%                              |
+---------------------------------+--------+-----------------+----------------------------------+

There's quite a swing in discount for buying an off-peak return vs two singles between the various routes. The single fares are by no means consistent (e.g. the big difference between Glasgow to Stranraer and Pollokshields East to Stranraer) but they seem less variable per mile than the returns. I guess working out the per mile cost would be a bit tricky as there are often multiple permitted routes. I'll certainly remember to check on here about optimum ticketing for journeys I make often.

 

[yorkie]

I wonder if the minister who promised to end the need to 'split' in Scotland has a revised date for their ambitions?

No, he does not. The project appears to be abandoned. I'm sure other members must have seen Raileasy retweet this message just a few days before your post:

https://twitter.com/Chinley1234/status/639871914664706048

@KeithBrownMSP is there a new estimated date by when split ticketing within Scotland won't be required please? http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/13098636.Rail_fares_cut_amid_overhaul_of_pricing_system/ …

Keith Brown has not responded, and he presumably never will!

Edit: actually this deserves a new thread; see http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?p=2293977#post2293977