Starting journey short - time restriction code

[Gettingtowork]

If I buy a ticket (in this case an off peak day return), with no restriction code banning break of journey then from previous posts and the National Rail website it seems I am able to start my journey short.

My journey is B - C and back each day. Although an A - C ticket costs more than a B -C ticket, the time restriction is more relaxed. It is cheaper to buy an A - C off peak day return than a B - C anytime day return. (All trains travelling from A - C stop at B. However some fast trains travelling from B - C would pass through A beforehand but not stop there).

The restriction code on the ticket from A - C is in the W series:

"Not valid on trains timed to depart after 04:29 and before X"

My question is, what time can I start my journey from station B if I hold the A - C off peak day return? Is it any time after X or is it once the first train that has stopped at A after X calls at B? Or something else?

 

[ForTheLoveOf]

If I buy a ticket (in this case an off peak day return), with no restriction code banning break of journey then from previous posts and the National Rail website it seems I am able to start my journey short.

My journey is B - C and back each day. Although an A - C ticket costs more than a B -C ticket, the time restriction is more relaxed. It is cheaper to buy an A - C off peak day return than a B - C anytime day return. (All trains travelling from A - C stop at B. However some fast trains travelling from B - C would pass through A beforehand but not stop there).

The restriction code on the ticket from A - C is in the W series:

"Not valid on trains timed to depart after 04:29 and before X"

My question is, what time can I start my journey from station B if I hold the A - C off peak day return? Is it any time after X or is it once the first train that has stopped at A after X calls at B? Or something else?

To answer your question, the restriction code in effect says that you may not board a train between 04:29 and X. There are other restriction code wordings which say things like 'not valid to depart the origin station on the ticket before X' - in which case this wouldn't apply.

 

[Gettingtowork]

To answer your question, the restriction code in effect says that you may not board a train between 04:29 and X. There are other restriction code wordings which say things like 'not valid to depart the origin station on the ticket before X' - in which case this wouldn't apply.

Thank you very much ForTheLoveOf.

So just to be clear - are you saying that if the restriction is worded in this way I could get on a train at station B so long as it called at station B after the restriction time X? In other words the time applies to the time you start your journey regardless of if it is at an intermediate station?

 

[ForTheLoveOf]

Thank you very much ForTheLoveOf.

So just to be clear - are you saying that if the restriction is worded in this way I could get on a train at station B so long as it called at station B after the restriction time X? In other words the time applies to the time you start your journey regardless of if it is at an intermediate station?

Exactly, your understanding is correct for this particular restriction code.

 

[Gettingtowork]

Exactly, your understanding is correct for this particular restriction code.

Thank you. That's very helpful.

 

[Gettingtowork]

I've just been charged an excess for doing this by the guard. Although I do this a couple of times a week and have never encountered problems with guards, barier staff or the revenue protection people that get on the train occasionally.

Do the answers in the post still apply (restriction code wording hasn't changed and the time the train is timed to depart from the intermediate station 'B', where I boarded, is still after the restriction time)?

And if so should I try and get the refund from a station or am I going to have to write off to the train company?

 

[yorkie]

You would need to write to the company.

If it's an obvious loophole and one company sets both fares, it could lead to changes being made, though.

 

[Gettingtowork]

You would need to write to the company.

If it's an obvious loophole and one company sets both fares, it could lead to changes being made, though.

Thanks for your help Yorkie. The guy at the ticket office at the station had even less knowledge of how the restriction worked than the guard. He suggested that even if I boarded a train at B with an A - C off peak day return that left A after the restriction time and then called at B I couldn't board. He said i'd have to board a train that is after the restriction time on a B - C off peak day return (despite holding an A - C off peak day return).

I'm not sure whether or not to write to the train company or not.

 

[yorkie]

He suggested that even if I boarded a train at B with an A - C off peak day return that left A after the restriction time and then called at B I couldn't board. He said i'd have to board a train that is after the restriction time on a B - C off peak day return (despite holding an A - C off peak day return).

That's completely incorrect and demonstrates a total lack of understanding on their part.

I'm not sure whether or not to write to the train company or not.

If you can divulge the details of your ticket and the journey made, we could give an opinion on that.

 

[ForTheLoveOf]

Thanks for your help Yorkie. The guy at the ticket office at the station had even less knowledge of how the restriction worked than the guard. He suggested that even if I boarded a train at B with an A - C off peak day return that left A after the restriction time and then called at B I couldn't board. He said i'd have to board a train that is after the restriction time on a B - C off peak day return (despite holding an A - C off peak day return).

What a load of tripe that clearly demonstrates a worrying (but unsurprising) lack of understanding of even the basic principles of contract law (and the way ticket restrictions work). The restrictions that apply to another ticket are entirely irrelevant to the ticket you hold. I don't see how anyone can possibly think otherwise, really!

I'm not sure whether or not to write to the train company or not.

Well, it's up to you. If you do, at the end of the day you should be able to get back the excess you've paid today. But if that happens, then if they realise what is happening they may change the restriction code on the ticket you are using. It's cost vs benefit for you to work out!

 

[Gettingtowork]

Thanks both for your help. Yorkie, I've messaged you the details of the ticket.

I was a bit shocked on the ticket clerk's knowledge to be honest. It was at a fairly big mainline station too.