Leeds Off Peak - TPExpress

[lightningz]

Hey folks,

Having a bit of a confusing one with this ticket, Off Peak Return, between Leeds and Mirfield. National Rail suggested that the ticket for the 16.52 (or even the 17.52) would be an Off Peak Return.

The 16.52 and 17.52 services are TPExpress and the recommended ticket is coming up as this Off Peak valid only on TPE. Note the 17.21 service is a Northern service and is recommending the Anytime ticket.

The restrictions link printed on the ticket itself say the only restricted times are between 4.29am and 9.30am. http://nre.co.uk/i1

The barriers, the barrier staff at Leeds station, and Northern are adamant that this ticket is not valid for travel between 1601 - 1829 so which is right? The ticket and NR or Northern/station staff?

 

[Solent&Wessex]

The ticket is correct.

This is a new fare for "Transpennine Express Only" which has different restrictions to the Any Permitted fare set by Northern.

 

[lightningz]

The ticket is correct.

This is a new fare for "Transpennine Express Only" which has different restrictions to the Any Permitted fare set by Northern.

Thanks for the quick reply! I thought as much - just not sure how to explain this to the barrier staff as they don't seem to want to know and simply state it's peak time.

 

[yorkie]

I don't think northern barrier staff are given much, if any, training on tickets so I am not surprised in the slightest that they just seem it to be invalid without checking. I doubt many of them have any comprehension of how restriction codes work. This may seem odd but is absolutely normal on the UK rail industry.

Next time you could buy the ticket online and show your itinerary to staff.

What happened in the end? Were you charged an excess fare or delayed or let through?

I'd complain to Northern. The retailer may be willing to assist you in your complaint.

 

[cactustwirly]

Did you show them the NRE page?
Some barrier staff are like that, and it isn't just a Leeds problem, the barrier staff at Paddington are famous for this sort of thing.

 

[lightningz]

I don't think northern barrier staff are given much, if any, training on tickets so I am not surprised in the slightest that they just seem it to be invalid without checking. I doubt many of them have any comprehension of how restriction codes work. This may seem odd but is absolutely normal on the UK rail industry.

Next time you could buy the ticket online and show your itinerary to staff.

What happened in the end? Were you charged an excess fare or delayed or let through?

I'd complain to Northern. The retailer may be willing to assist you in your complaint.

To be fair, the staff member on the barrier didn't really care, she let me through and only really spoke to me when I asked why it hadn't worked when I specifically had selected that time when booking the ticket. She just murmured on about it being peak time and went back to chatting to her colleague, so no big issue I just wandered off and caught the train.

More just weary of getting a jobsworth in future.

Did you show them the NRE page?
Some barrier staff are like that, and it isn't just a Leeds problem, the barrier staff at Paddington are famous for this sort of thing.

I didn't at the time since she let me through without caring, but will keep that available for next time!

 

[johntea]

Seems quite a confusing ticket to suddenly introduce...whatever next a Leeds to Wakefield valid only via CrossCountry?

I also note I can buy an advance Northern fare for Leeds to Mirfield...not exactly Leeds to London is it!

 

[Kite159]

Seems quite a confusing ticket to suddenly introduce...whatever next a Leeds to Wakefield valid only via CrossCountry?

I also note I can buy an advance Northern fare for Leeds to Mirfield...not exactly Leeds to London is it!

Like XC need any more Leeds - Wakefield passengers for their services

 

[woody505]

Leeds cottingley off peak return £2.50 valid after 9.30 transpenine only. Won't be many sold as this is the only journey I can find which it's valid on. Would be a bit annoyed if I bought this from a machine and my one and only train home is not till 23.47. But would probably get the same looks from the barrier staff at 17.52. But you do save £1.30 against an anytime return if that is your normal commute. Hope transpenine start a fares war on other routes.