The Stoke London Midland split

[tomoufc]

Hi all - I'm back for your help again, if you would be so kind.

To save money I often go the slow way, and use the well known Stoke London Midland split for my journey from Levenshulme to Euston. That means I have a Anytime/OP return from LVM to SOT, then a London Midland Only OP Return from SOT to EUS. I change at SPT and SOT on my journey.

The other day my (Northern) train from LVM to SPT was late, meaning I missed my (Virgin) connection from SPT to SOT, meaning I missed my (London Midland) connection from SOT to EUS. On this occasion I had purchased an Advance ticket for my London Midland train from SOT to EUS.

In the event I purchased a fresh ticket (on Virgin) to get me to London on time. But would I have been able to travel with my Advance on the next available London Midland service from SOT an hour later? This thread http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=111287 suggests I would, if a journey planner says that my intended combination of trains was valid, but I can't seem to manipulate NRE to give me the option of the Stoke London Midland split.

Also, would I have been entitled to apply for compensation from Northern for an hour delay to may entire journey, based on my missed connection at SPT?

Thanks again

 

[Merseysider]

How much time did you allow at Stockport and Stoke to change trains?

Providing you have a valid connection (for most large stations this is 10 minutes between trains, for medium sized stations 5 mins) then if you miss your booked train due to a delay or cancellation, you can take the next available train run by the same company, in this case LM. You would not need to purchase a new ticket.

If your actual arrival at Euston was 60+ minutes late then Northern are obligated to provide you with compensation.

If you bought a new ticket and weren't 60+ minutes late due to taking a faster service then Northern don't owe you anything but it won't hurt to write in, asking if they will cover the cost of one ticket.

 

[tomoufc]

How much time did you allow at Stockport and Stoke to change trains?

Providing you have a valid connection (for most large stations this is 10 minutes between trains, for medium sized stations 5 mins) then if you miss your booked train due to a delay or cancellation, you can take the next available train run by the same company, in this case LM. You would not need to purchase a new ticket.

If your actual arrival at Euston was 60+ minutes late then Northern are obligated to provide you with compensation.

If you bought a new ticket and weren't 60+ minutes late due to taking a faster service then Northern don't owe you anything but it won't hurt to write in, asking if they will cover the cost of one ticket.

Thanks for this. Yes - forgot to mention that my connection at SOT was over 5 minutes. So it looks like I'll be able to get more LM Advances in the future.

 

[Camden]

Make the most of it. I expect the good value Advances will be evaporating once these services become "West Coast Connect".

 

[Bletchleyite]

Make the most of it. I expect the good value Advances will be evaporating once these services become "West Coast Connect".

Has there been any progress towards this? It all seems to have gone quiet.

 

[northwichcat]

Has there been any progress towards this? It all seems to have gone quiet.

The OJEU for both the West Midlands and West Coast franchises are due to be released next month, with the ITTs following in the Summer of next year. I expect we'll hear about it in the consultations when they start.

 

[sheff1]

As you decided, due to the delay, not to make your intended journey with London Midland I believe you are entitled to a refund for that ticket under NRCoC 26 (b). The fact that you made a differnt journey using Virgin has no bearing on the matter, in my view.

 

[Camden]

http://www.railtechnologymagazine.c...s-rail-set-to-enter-dft-partnership-agreement

 

[Paul Kelly]

I can't seem to manipulate NRE to give me the option of the Stoke London Midland split.

Try Levenshulme to London Euston via Rugeley Trent Valley.