Kings X - Stevenage using VTEC 3/3

[gazr]

Engineering tomorrow has VTEC trains calling at Stevenage (not denoted as set down/pick up only). If i have a boundary zone 6 - huntingdon (annual gold card), can i use vtec to stevenage to change for the stevenage-peterborough shuttle service?

 

[Kite159]

I believe a gold card discounted ticket isn't valid on VTEC services, if you will get checked by a guard in the shortish distance from Kings Cross to Stevenage is another thing

 

[cactustwirly]

Engineering tomorrow has VTEC trains calling at Stevenage (not denoted as set down/pick up only). If i have a boundary zone 6 - huntingdon (annual gold card), can i use vtec to stevenage to change for the stevenage-peterborough shuttle service?

If the ticket is 'Any Permitted' then I don't see why not (as long as you are covered for Kings X - Zone 6).
If you hold a season ticket or a travlecard, then the train doesn't need to stop at the station where you are splitting at (a station in zone 6 in this case).

 

[cactustwirly]

I believe a gold card discounted ticket isn't valid on VTEC services, if you will get checked by a guard in the shortish distance from Kings Cross to Stevenage is another thing

Do you have any evidence to prove this?

 

[Kite159]

Do you have any evidence to prove this?

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/ticket_types/46573.aspx

"Travel is not available on
...

• Virgin Trains and Virgin Trains East Coast services"

 

[Hadders]

You can’t use Gold Card discounted tickets on VTEC.

If you have an annual season ticket that happens to be printed on Gold Card then you may use VTEC services if the VTEC service is on a permitted route.

 

[Nick66]

Interesting question for the experts: with mutual ticket acceptance in place as it is at the moment could you buy a discounted ticket intending to travel on GN and board a VTEC train?

 

[gazr]

Thanks for the replies. I think having a Hatton to Lapworth GC may be pushing the 'any valid route' with VTEC.

 

[Hadders]

What ticket are using to get to the boundary of Zone 6?

 

[gazr]

What ticket are using to get to the boundary of Zone 6?

Just an ordinary 1-6 Travelcard.

 

[Hadders]

It’s not going to be quicker - having a quick look at the timetable you’d have to wait the best part of half an hour at Stevenage. With services diverted via Hertford the VTEC and GN services will basically take the same time between Kings Cross and Stevenage as the loop is limited to 75mph.

 

[trek]

Given conditions and disruption I wouldn't be surprised if the engineering was cancelled tomorrow in particular to cater for those deferring travel from today. Either way, it is possible ticket acceptance will be continued so you would be able to do it, even if it isn't might be worth asking the guard of the VTEC service as doubt they'll mind given the disruption, but maybe worth checking that you'll actually save some time as the timetable may mean not.

 

[najaB]

Given conditions and disruption I wouldn't be surprised if the engineering was cancelled tomorrow in particular to cater for those deferring travel from today.

If the conditions are still bad then they might cancel the engineering work, but I doubt they would just based on disruption. Long possessions come around so infrequently that NR are loathe to give them up if it can be avoided. Plus the TOCs would probably struggle to run a near-normal service at relatively short notice.

 

[Hadders]

THe chance of a ticket inspection on VTEC between Kings Cross and Stevenage is small, in my experience.

 

[trek]

If the conditions are still bad then they might cancel the engineering work, but I doubt they would just based on disruption. Long possessions come around so infrequently that NR are loathe to give them up if it can be avoided. Plus the TOCs would probably struggle to run a near-normal service at relatively short notice.

Can they get much work done in these conditions? Although I'm things improve...

THe chance of a ticket inspection on VTEC between Kings Cross and Stevenage is small, in my experience.

True but probably not worth risking especially if it doesn't save any time which it has been pointed out it probably won't!

 

[yorkie]

It'll probably be fine with most (99%?) VTEC Guards - in the unlikely event the ticket is checked - but perhaps @attics26 can give his opinion on whether his infamous colleague would allow it?

 

[gazr]

Not trying to do this for speed... Its been a LONG time since ive had a 91 on the Hertford loop. As for wait at Stevenage, thats what the coffee shop is for Looks academic now, seeing as im probably just going to stay home cos of the weather and all around crazyiness that will be going on tomorrow. Sorry to waste everyones time

 

[Wallsendmag]

Best not to discuss this type of thing on an open forum you never know who's reading it.

 

[Silver Cobra]

If the conditions are still bad then they might cancel the engineering work, but I doubt they would just based on disruption.

I have a feeling they did in fact cancel the engineering works today. Although services were still running to the amended timetables, northbound GN services from King's Cross were arriving around 7 minutes early into Stevenage and waiting until the amended departure times. RTT also shows no reports for services from Alexandra Palace until Langley Junction, so it figures they were running on the main line rather than via the Hertford loop.

 

[Wallsendmag]

I have a feeling they did in fact cancel the engineering works today. Although services were still running to the amended timetables, northbound GN services from King's Cross were arriving around 7 minutes early into Stevenage and waiting until the amended departure times. RTT also shows no reports for services from Alexandra Palace until Langley Junction, so it figures they were running on the main line rather than via the Hertford loop.

Engineering work is cancelled.

 

[Silver Cobra]

Engineering work is cancelled.

That makes sense then. Thanks for confirming.