Bexhill to Oxenholme stopping short

[farleigh]

Sorry if this is a simple question, but worried of ending up making a blunder and getting a large bill or worse.

My wife is travelling from Bexhill to Oxenholme and back - up on Saturday, return on Sunday.

She has found a single from Bexhill to Oxenholme for £67.

She would like to get off the train at Warrington on the way up and get a lift the rest of the way.

Returning next day from Oxenholme to Bexhill for £67 .

Will she get in trouble for stopping short at Warrington and is it worth buying a railcard of any description to save something on the £134?

Many many thanks

 

[Bletchleyite]

These appear to be two SVHs, i.e. Off Peak Single (Online) tickets (she might as well buy an Off Peak Return for the added flexibility).

http://www.brfares.com/#faredetail?orig=BEX&dest=OXN&ldn=1&tkt=SVR is the return.

It does bar Break of Journey on the outward, which technically means ending short is not allowed. However, railway policy is that this shouldn't generally be considered an issue unless it's done to avoid a fare, which in this case it wouldn't be because it's a weekend and so Off Peaks are valid all the time to all VTWC stations (the case where VTWC are quite hot on it is people using tickets to Lancaster to avoid evening peak restrictions at Preston on a weekday). Worst case if the staff are awkward she just rejoins the next train and continues to Oxenholme - there is no basis on which to apply any penalty.

Furthermore there are no ticket barriers at Warrington Bank Quay there so actually having anyone question it is very unlikely.

Regarding Railcards how old is she (under 31 (edited), 60 or over), is she a student, is she in military service, or does she have a disability? Those are the only ones that would be relevant to someone travelling alone on that route.

 

[farleigh]

Thanks Bletchleyite.

That is really helpful. She does not qualify for the railcards unfortunately but she will act on your advice.

Really grateful to have helpful & knowledgeable people able to advise.

 

[Joe Paxton]

These appear to be two SVHs, i.e. Off Peak Single (Online) tickets (she might as well buy an Off Peak Return for the added flexibility).

http://www.brfares.com/#faredetail?orig=BEX&dest=OXN&ldn=1&tkt=SVR is the return.

I think that if you try and buy 2 SVH (i.e. 'Off Peak Single Online') tickets you will actually be sold a regular Off Peak Return ticket instead - that's certainly what Trainline-powered booking sites (which includes Virgin Trains) seem to suggest is what will happen. I think other posters have confirmed this is indeed what happens.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I think that if you try and buy 2 SVH (i.e. 'Off Peak Single Online') tickets you will actually be sold a regular Off Peak Return ticket instead - that's certainly what Trainline-powered booking sites (which includes Virgin Trains) seem to suggest is what will happen. I think others have confirmed this is indeed what happens.

In the vast majority of cases it does, and it should in this case - however there are odd edge-cases where this doesn't happen, principally due to rounding issues caused by Railcard discounts and the likes which make the two singles 5p cheaper than the return, meaning the two singles get sold.

If the OP's wife is definitely travelling out on Saturday and back on Sunday and there are no circumstances under which she would wish to do otherwise (e.g. return Saturday or Monday instead), it probably doesn't matter, though.

 

[farleigh]

Yeah - that is the case Bletchleyite

 

[MikeWh]

Regarding Railcards how old is she (under 25, 60 or over), is she a student, is she in military service, or does she have a disability? Those are the only ones that would be relevant to someone travelling alone on that route.

Shouldn't that be under 31?

 

[Bletchleyite]

Shouldn't that be under 31?

Oh yes, sorry, I forgot about the 26-30!

@farleigh apologies if she is 30 or under and has already purchased

 

[Joe Paxton]

In the vast majority of cases it does, and it should in this case - however there are odd edge-cases where this doesn't happen, principally due to rounding issues caused by Railcard discounts and the likes which make the two singles 5p cheaper than the return, meaning the two singles get sold.

Thanks, yes I can replicate that exact issue with a Railcard discount.

 

[yorkie]

I think that if you try and buy 2 SVH (i.e. 'Off Peak Single Online') tickets you will actually be sold a regular Off Peak Return ticket instead - that's certainly what Trainline-powered booking sites (which includes Virgin Trains) seem to suggest is what will happen. I think other posters have confirmed this is indeed what happens.

If it's the same price Trainline sites will sell a SVR

However if it's cheaper - even by only 5p - they will offer the less flexible singles instead

Trainsplit will offer the SVR if the price is almost the same.

I've not tested other sites that offer the SVHs (most don't offer them)