Watford Junction on Travelcard

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Now you may think this is silly - but bear in mind Travelcards are excepted on Norwich-bound Greater Anglia services between London and Stratford, and the call at Stratford is advertised as pick up only just the same as Watford!

So if I have a Zone 1-6 Travelcard, bearing in mind Watford Junction is in that zone, can I take a Pendolino there from Euston with it?

Thanks

 

[bb21]

Neither is accepted, as they are both pick-up only.

Watford Junction is not in any of Zones 1/2/3/4/5/6 in any case.

 

[Mag_seven]

Why do people constantly think that Watford is in Zone 6?

 

[adrock1976]

Maybe it is because Watford is inside the M25?

 

[JonathanH]

Boarding set down only Virgin Trains services at Watford Junction is quite strictly monitored and will be stopped if you attempt it.

 

[DaveNewcastle]

The 'London Rail and Tube services map' might help you : http://content.tfl.gov.uk/london-rail-and-tube-services-map.pdf

I hope you agree that this map makes it quite clear which stations are in which zones (though it's very messy in depicting the arrangements at Heathrow, and slightly ambiguous with the grey shading around Stratford and Greenwich - neither of which apply to your enquiry).

 

[roversfan2001]

Watford Junction isn't in Zone 6, it isn't even in Zone 9.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Ok. Thanks for your help!

 

[robbeech]

Even if you had a Zone 1-9 + Watford Junction Travelcard and it wasn't pick up / set down only with (as mentioned) strict checks then you'd only be allowed in Standard Class and this might not quite cut it for you

 

[hexagon789]

Even if you had a Zone 1-9 + Watford Junction Travelcard and it wasn't pick up / set down only with (as mentioned) strict checks then you'd only be allowed in Standard Class and this might not quite cut it for you

All I can say is:

 

[cactustwirly]

Now you may think this is silly - but bear in mind Travelcards are excepted on Norwich-bound Greater Anglia services between London and Stratford, and the call at Stratford is advertised as pick up only just the same as Watford!

So if I have a Zone 1-6 Travelcard, bearing in mind Watford Junction is in that zone, can I take a Pendolino there from Euston with it?

Thanks

Buy a return from Boundary zone 6 to Watford Junction, you can use it in conjunction with your travelcard

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Even if you had a Zone 1-9 + Watford Junction Travelcard and it wasn't pick up / set down only with (as mentioned) strict checks then you'd only be allowed in Standard Class and this might not quite cut it for you

All I can say is:

What’s that supposed to mean?

Buy a return from Boundary zone 6 to Watford Junction, you can use it in conjunction with your travelcard

Thanks. Is this valid on Virgin?

 

[Bletchleyite]

Buy a return from Boundary zone 6 to Watford Junction, you can use it in conjunction with your travelcard

Not on VT, though. VT does not carry passengers between Euston and Watford Junction under any circumstances, even in disruption. If you want a ride on a Pendolino you're going to have to cough up and go to MKC and back.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Thanks. Is this valid on Virgin?

No.

Under no circumstances, not even in disruption, can you make a journey from Euston to Watford Junction or vice versa using Virgin Trains. Not with any ticket. Not even a First Class All Line Rover.

 

[cactustwirly]

What’s that supposed to mean?


Thanks. Is this valid on Virgin?

It is "Any Permitted" so technically yes, but in practice with the pick up/set down rules it might prove difficult to use.

 

[cactustwirly]

A BZ6 - MKC return would be less risky, but offers poor value for money.

If you want to use Virgin, I'd go for a BZ6 return to Stevenage.

 

[MikeWh]

No.

Under no circumstances, not even in disruption, can you make a journey from Euston to Watford Junction or vice versa using Virgin Trains. Not with any ticket. Not even a First Class All Line Rover.

Other than breaking the am peak restrictions I fail to see what they can do to stop someone using an all line rover. There is absolutely no revenue loss.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Other than breaking the am peak restrictions I fail to see what they can do to stop someone using an all line rover. There is absolutely no revenue loss.

It isn't about revenue loss, it's about crowding the trains out. You might well get away with doing Euston-Watford with a telling off if you have a ticket valid to MKC or beyond, but the other way you will be seen doing it by the dispatchers and they will not dispatch the train until you have left it.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

A BZ6 - MKC return would be less risky, but offers poor value for money.

If you want to use Virgin, I'd go for a BZ6 return to Stevenage.

Ah, I’ll probably just get a £13 first return to Stevenage as normal. Thanks

 

[Haywain]

If you want to use Virgin, I'd go for a BZ6 return to Stevenage.

But it won't get the OP on a Pendolino!

 

[causton]

It isn't about revenue loss, it's about crowding the trains out. You might well get away with doing Euston-Watford with a telling off if you have a ticket valid to MKC or beyond, but the other way you will be seen doing it by the dispatchers and they will not dispatch the train until you have left it.

Depends who you get! Most will not let you board though, correct.

In disruption, when there is VT and LNR cross ticket acceptance, the 'set down' trains often get used at Watford to get people to London - so actually, in very rare circumstances you will be able to get on.

It doesn't seem to happen the other way round though, and don't try your luck unless you fancy buying a SOS to Coventry

 

[causton]

Why do people constantly think that Watford is in Zone 6?

I wish I knew - having to deal with many of them!!!

 

[hexagon789]

What’s that supposed to mean?

Well you prefer 'travelling in style' so to speak don't you?

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Well you prefer 'travelling in style' so to speak don't you?

Oh great, so you think I’m snobbish too. Great.

 

[PeterC]

I wish I knew - having to deal with many of them!!!

Probably because there is too much information around that uses "all zones" to mean 1 to 6 only.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Probably because there is too much information around that uses "all zones" to mean 1 to 6 only.

The thing is WFJ isn't in 1-9 either!

 

[causton]

Exactly! How hard is it to understand? Watford is not in London and therefore it is not in a zone, just like Amersham... hmm, maybe not... Elstree and Borehamwood... oh wait, just like Epping... oh wait, just like Shenfield Brentwood, wait... Dartford? Potters Bar! There's one!

Back to the drawing board

I can see how it is confusing but it takes mere seconds to look at the very clear Special fares apply on the tube map. London Underground ticket machines you have no excuse as one option clearly says Zones 1-9 + Watford Junction and I have a photo of the screen to show people who buy the wrong one "Why did you not choose the one that says Watford Junction on it?!?!" - I have still to receive a good answer

 

[pitdiver]

I used to work at Watford Met LUL stn. When there was disruption between Watford Jct and Euston it would give me great pleasure in excessing all those passengers thinking that their tickets were valid there. The LUL Revenue Protection staff would have a field day. And before anybody asks I don't remember any ticket acceptance being invoked. Not saying it didn't occur though.

 

[Darandio]

When there was disruption between Watford Jct and Euston it would give me great pleasure in excessing all those passengers thinking that their tickets were valid there.

It's no wonder there is often a staff/passenger stand off on this forum.

 

[Mag_seven]

No.

Under no circumstances, not even in disruption, can you make a journey from Euston to Watford Junction or vice versa using Virgin Trains. Not with any ticket. Not even a First Class All Line Rover.

Same with PRIV as well but I bet some PRIV holders still try it.