GWR easement error for Network Railcard discount? (Cotswold Line)

[cb00]

It was always the case that the 0815 and 0915 departures from Worcester Shrub Hill to London Paddington were discounted with a Network Railcard, using an easement.

On the latest timetable, however, the 0915 contains no discount from Worcester Shrub Hill, yet from Pershore onwards the discount applies as normal.

Looking at the easement document, the 09:15 does contain an easement from Worcester Foregate Street. The station directly before Shrub Hill.

The same service is listed on the easement list for stations before and after the intended start point.

So the golden question, would an off peak ticket purchased for the 0815 be valid for the 0915 with a network railcard discount as it has been for years?

 

[Hadders]

It's a bit silly for Shrub Hill and Foregate Street to have different easements. The 09:15 from Shrub Hill really should be included in the easement.

I suspect this is an error rather than a conspiracy. I'd take it up with GWR although you might have to persist to get it to someone who actually understands the issue and can do something about it.

 

[JonathanH]

BRFares says that the Network Railcard easement doesn't apply at any of the Worcester stations on the relevant train.

https://www.brfares.com/!faredetail?orig=WOS&dest=PAD&grpo=0447&grpd=1072&rlc=NEW&rte=805&tkt=SSR

GW7420
0815 WORCESTER SHRUB HILL to LONDON PADDINGTON From 20 November 2024 until 13 December 2024
Mo Tu We Th Fr (GWR)

GW7420
0815 WORCESTER SHRUB HILL to LONDON PADDINGTON From 16 December 2024 until 16 May 2025
Mo Tu We Th Fr (GWR)

GW7424
0856 GREAT MALVERN to LONDON PADDINGTON From 20 November 2024 until 13 December 2024
Mo Tu We Th Fr (GWR)
except for
boarding at MALVERN LINK
boarding at WORCESTER SHRUB HILL
boarding at GREAT MALVERN
boarding at WORCESTER FOREGATE STREET
boarding at WORCESTERSHIRE PARKWAY HL

GW7424
0856 GREAT MALVERN to LONDON PADDINGTON From 16 December 2024 until 16 May 2025
Mo Tu We Th Fr (GWR)
except for
boarding at MALVERN LINK
boarding at WORCESTER SHRUB HILL
boarding at GREAT MALVERN
boarding at WORCESTER FOREGATE STREET
boarding at WORCESTERSHIRE PARKWAY HL

 

[Hadders]

Pershore is nearer to Paddngton than Worcester. So if the easement applies at Pershore it's farcical if it doesn't also apply to the same train at both Worcester stations.

 

[Adam Williams]

I'd take it up with GWR although you might have to persist to get it to someone who actually understands the issue and can do something about it.

Raileasy made GWR aware of this omission on Tuesday

 

[redreni]

So what would people recommend in the interim? Split at Pershore but keep tickets and pursue GWR for reimbursement of the extra cost? Or book for the 08:15 but travel on the 09:15?

I wonder what the ticket office would do? Presumably they don't have to look at the journey planner as they know about the easement, so would happily sell a Network Railcard discounted ticket?

 

[cb00]

A pleasant and unexpected response from GWR after the original response claiming this was as intended. They accepted this was an error and that the easement will be updated to include the 09:15 departing WOS as was always the case. Thank you for the replies and encouragement

 

[Jonathanc]

Hi all, I have a similar query on this line - Charlbury to Paddington

The easement currently on the 0911 seems to disappear after the timetable change on 18 May (the train now departs 0913).

I assume it’s an error/delay - the network railcard list of easements hasn’t been updated yet.

Also can’t seem to find published timetables, this only is apparently from a journey search

Thoughts welcome - not planning to purchase this far out, but would impact my travel costs if it is indeed removed!

 

[CyrusWuff]

Hi all, I have a similar query on this line - Charlbury to Paddington

The easement currently on the 0911 seems to disappear after the timetable change on 18 May (the train now departs 0913).

Easements require the TOC to enter the unique ID (rather than the headcode) to work. This usually alters every timetable change, so presumably they're waiting for the May timetable to be locked down before making the alterations.