Advance Ticket - Can I Get On En Route?

[Steddenm]

Hi all

I had an Advance (with railcard) ticket from Exeter St David's to Birmingham New Street and wonder if it is possible to get on at Taunton instead of Exeter as it will mean a train to Exeter to come back again (ticket was booked in error).

As both stations are GWR and barriered would it cause a problem with the ticket becoming invalid?

Thanks

 

[Bletchleyite]

No, unfortunately this isn't allowed. Staff might let you, but you risk the ticket being useless if they don't.

 

[LowLevel]

It isn't allowed but following a swathe of bad publicity regarding large amounts of money being extracted there has long been a standing instruction (where I am anyway) not to wallop people for starting short on advances.

 

[Steddenm]

It isn't allowed but following a swathe of bad publicity regarding large amounts of money being extracted there has long been a standing instruction (where I am anyway) not to wallop people for starting short on advances.

Would that be in the GWR/XC area of Devon?

 

[Isaiah]

I would be surprised if they didn't let you on. Although, they aren't known for being reasonable

You will have paid more than you had to. So it shouldn't matter

 

[skyhigh]

You will have paid more than you had to. So it shouldn't matter

Not necessarily. With advances it's entirely possible a longer journey is cheaper.

 

[father_jack]

There are clear conditions for advance tickets in the public domain.

However there is guidance in the staff publications but it is somewhat vague and a lot of staff will have never seen it.

Edit- it's in this document here on this site. https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...uide-section-1-ticket-types-conditions.70018/ It's the left side attachment below the section 1.1.3.2 Advance Price Tiers

The gist of it is although break of journey is generally not permitted, if you are not making a financial "gain" or advantage by buying a ticket from further back the line you are supposed to be allowed travel. For example if there was a "sale" and Exeter to Birmingham was £10 but Taunton to Birmingham was £40 well you'd be gaining by boarding at Taunton with the Exeter "sale" ticket. But if Exeter Birmingham is £42 and Taunton Birmingham is £40 and you're getting the same train albeit half an hour later you should be allowed board.

 

[Journeyman]

Not necessarily. With advances it's entirely possible a longer journey is cheaper.

Yeah, Advances tend to be priced using fairly complex yield management systems that are designed to fill otherwise empty seats, and this has absolutely nothing to do with distance travelled.

 

[Steddenm]

Thanks for all your comments.

Will see what happens!

 

[Isaiah]

Thanks for all your comments.

Will see what happens!

Yeah let us know mate

 

[Steddenm]

Yeah let us know mate

I will do.