Stoke-London-Northampton-Stoke?

[Keele13]

Hi all,

I need to do the following journeys this Fri/Sat:

Friday:

Stoke-on-Trent to Leyton Midland Road, arriving no later than 11am
Leyton Midland Road to Northampton, arriving no later than 7pm

Saturday:
Northampton to Stoke-on-Trent, no time restriction but ideally leaving around 10am

Can I buy a return from Stoke-London, and as long as it’s valid on any operator (i.e. Virgin and London Midland) break my journey on the way back? Does it have to be a specific type of return (i.e. open)? I’d then buy a travelcard or use my Oyster card for the Euston-Leyton Midland Road-Euston bit.

Cost isn't especially an issue, it's more the validity of the return ticket I'm concerned about - I don't want to have to buy two tickets for my return trip if I can help it.

 

[OwlMan]

All Euston to Stoke tickets are valid via Northampton (except advance tickets).

Peter

 

[MCR247]

All Euston to Stoke tickets are valid via Northampton (except advance tickets).

Peter

But are they valid for an overnight BOJ?

 

[yorkie]

In a word: yes.

Before simplification it was simple, all walk-on tickets were valid for BOJ with the exception of SVS and the outward portion of SVRs (then called Saver Single / Saver Return) and in some rare cases where the existed, SSS / SSR.

Then they decided to allow BOJ on the outward portion but some TOCs couldn't agree so they said "except where a validity code prevents it", this applies to a relatively small, but increasing, number of SVR/SSR tickets on the outward portion, but you're still fine for the return portion. However unfortunately many new products e.g. OPR (Super Off Peak) also have this restriction, and to make matters worse some of them also restrict the return portion.

In general, it's fairly safe to say that the return portion of almost any walk-on ticket is fine for break of journey, and the only exceptions that I know of, are a few OPR type products, e.g. on London Midland, but these are not enforced and LM even encourage us to start short in some cases!

Simplification? They're having a laugh!

Brought to you by the same people who use the oxymoron term "negative easement", and who despise the Clear English campaign, and who treat passengers with total and utter contempt. A degree in ticketing is required to avoid being ripped-off by them.

 

[Keele13]

Thanks - unfortunately someone at work is booking it for me, so while I've tried to explain what I need, getting it may be another matter!