Anytime Return Validity

[Devils Advocat]

The Wife and I have have a Scotty trip over the next 11 days. We have costed out individual journeys against the 'Spirit of Scotland' Rover and
its quite close cost wise.

Whilst the Rover gives us more flexibility, It is harder to book advance seats something which we feel we need to do given Scotrails current problems.

A couple of questions please re 'Anytime Returns'

1) Will we get 'Delay Repay on an anytime return with a seat reservation ?

2) If we get a Anytime Return Dundee to Thurso and wish to break our return journey at Dingwall Friday to Monday (staying in Garve) is this allowed.

If it is, presumably would also apply to a Dingwall to Kyle of Localsh anytime Return ticket. (We would want to do Dingwall - Garve Friday Garve-Kyle Saturday
Kyle - Garve Saturday Garve - Dingwall Monday ?

Any help appreciated TIA

 

[Starmill]

As long as the ticket isn't an Anytime Day Return, yes this is perfectly allowed. As the name suggests a Day return expires after the day of the outward journey. You may need to choose the ticket carefully because they may be the same price.


You can always break your journey using an Anytime ticket, within the validity.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

You may need to choose the ticket carefully because they may be the same price.

Indeed. Dingwall->Kyle of Lochalsh (and back) is available as an Anytime Day Return, as an Off Peak Return and as an Anytime Return. These tickets are priced exactly the same at £32.80, before any relevant railcard discount.

 

[Flying Snail]

It doesn't matter which ticket you hold, you can book seats at any staffed ticket office or online by making an account on the www.gwr.com website.

Some TOCs will also reserve seats if you contact them on social media (twitter), not sure if scotrail do this.

 

[Watershed]

It doesn't matter which ticket you hold, you can book seats at any staffed ticket office or online by making an account on the www.gwr.com website.

Some TOCs will also reserve seats if you contact them on social media (twitter), not sure if scotrail do this.

Quite. Absolutely no need to buy individual tickets just to get reservations. If the cost is similar I would suggest going for the Rover on the basis that it affords you complete flexibility.

 

[Devils Advocat]

Thanks for all the answers, very helpful. How do we stand on delay repay if we have a rover as opposed to individual tickets ?

 

[MrJeeves]

Thanks for all the answers, very helpful. How do we stand on delay repay if we have a rover as opposed to individual tickets ?

In theory the rules are different but I've never had anyone implement it properly!

In order to work out the compensation payable for delays when a customer holds a Rover or Ranger product there are two calculations to make - step one is the compensation payable for the leg of the journey being claimed for and step two is the maximum that can be claimed based on the period of validity of the Rover or Ranger held.

Step One

Compensation is devised based on an Anytime Day Return (or equivalent) of the journey taken and being claimed for, then paid in line with normal compensation thresholds:

12.5% of SDR value for 15-29 minutes delay;
25% of SDR value for 30-59 minutes delay;
50% of SDR value for 60+ minutes.

Step Two

The amount that results from step one above is capped up to a maximum as calculated below.

Compensation is divisible by the number of journeys for the validity of a Rover in the same way as same as a Season Ticket - in other words a 14 day Rover is divided by 28 ('Singles') and then compensation calculated accordingly.

25% of 1/28 for 15-29 minutes delay;
50% of 1/28 for 30-59 minutes delay;
100% of 1/28 for 60+ minutes delay

Typically, I've always just gotten the % of the rover/ranger price.

 

[jfollows]

Thanks for all the answers, very helpful. How do we stand on delay repay if we have a rover as opposed to individual tickets ?

Rangers and rovers are eligible for Delay Repay in the same way as any other ticket. Each day's validity is usually treated as a return ticket when determining the percentage of the ticket's value payable in compensation, e.g. a 60-119 minute delay on a 3 in 7 day rover would lead to 50% of 1 day's value being payable - i.e. 1/6th of the ticket cost.

When calculating the length of delay incurred, you are generally assumed to have taken the fastest available route permitted by your ticket(s). In some cases this might involve replanning your journey to use an alternative route due to an (anticipated) missed connection.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

If the cost is similar I would suggest going for the Rover on the basis that it affords you complete flexibility.

A Dundee to Thurso Anytime Return route "Any Permitted" is, I believe, currently £97.30 (or £73.00 if restricted to route "via Aviemore"). The Dingwall to Kyle of Lochalsh Anytime Return ticket is a further £32.60. Prices are before any applicable Railcard discount.

So, just how much would the most appropriate Rover ticket be for the OP's planned itinerary?