Break of journey in Underground between two terminals

[blestsiren]

Hi,

I have any anytime day single from Cambridge to Chelmsford, valid via any permitted route. Is it permissible for me to take the following route, with a break at Oxford Circus?

Cambridge—>KGX—>Oxford Circus—>LST—>Chelmsford

I seem to remember reading that one break was generally allowed in zone one, but would that be applicable here?

If not allowed, what is the cheapest way for me to manage the journey?

Thanks in advance.

 

[redreni]

Your through ticket would get you from Kings Cross to Oxford Circus. It is London Underground's policy to allow passengers to finish a cross-London transfer short at any station in zone 1, or anywhere outside zone 1 if on a reasonable route appropriate to the through journey.

You would need to pay separately for the Oxford Circus to Liverpool Street leg, though.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

If the OP were to, say, walk the two miles from London Kings Cross to Oxford Circus, could they then use the ticket to get the three miles or so from Oxford Circus to London Liverpool Street?

 

[Tetchytyke]

If the OP were to, say, walk the two miles from London Kings Cross to Oxford Circus, could they then use the ticket to get the three miles or so from Oxford Circus to London Liverpool Street?

In theory, possibly. In reality, almost certainly not.

 

[blestsiren]

Really useful, thanks. I have had conflicting answers on this over the years from staff including TFL staff. They often say things like, “eh, that might be allowed, probably safest to get a second ticket though” and unhelpful nonsense like that.

 

[fandroid]

Whatever you do in order to obtain maximum benefit from your through ticket, you'll have a debate with gateline staff at Oxford Circus, in order to get through the gates there. Their attitude is likely to be coloured by the fact that Oxford Circus is not on a direct route between Kings Cross and Liverpool Street. Have fun!

 

[jfollows]

If the OP were to, say, walk the two miles from London Kings Cross to Oxford Circus, could they then use the ticket to get the three miles or so from Oxford Circus to London Liverpool Street?

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implies not

You are allowed to break your transfer journey once and leave the Underground, Elizabeth line or DLR at any intermediate station. For example, if you are travelling on the Underground between Victoria and Euston, you can exit at Oxford Circus. However, if you subsequently wish to continue your journey by Underground you will have to purchase another ticket or use pay as you go to travel to Euston.

It doesn’t explicitly cover the case of walking first, but personally I wouldn’t try to make the case.

 

[redreni]

Whatever you do in order to obtain maximum benefit from your through ticket, you'll have a debate with gateline staff at Oxford Circus, in order to get through the gates there. Their attitude is likely to be coloured by the fact that Oxford Circus is not on a direct route between Kings Cross and Liverpool Street. Have fun!

I noticed attitudes improving after this point was covered last year in one of London Underground's regular fares & ticketing bulletins for staff, according to which I'm pretty sure whether it's on a reasonable route or not only matters outside of zone 1. It is always possible the effect might have worn off, of course!

The public-facing guidance doesn't mention the reasonable route requirement either (though the example chosen is one where the journey is broken along the most obvious and direct route between terminals). Make of it what you will - London Underground staff certainly do!

 

[Haywain]

If the OP were to, say, walk the two miles from London Kings Cross to Oxford Circus, could they then use the ticket to get the three miles or so from Oxford Circus to London Liverpool Street?

Not a chance! They have no way of establishing whether the ticket has already been used to leave the system so will not countenance using it to enter the system.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

They have no way of establishing whether the ticket has already been used to leave the system so will not countenance using it to enter the system.

Not even if/when joining the LU system at Kings Cross?

 

[Haywain]

Not even if/when joining the LU system at Kings Cross?

That wasn't what your question asked.

 

[blestsiren]

I’ve taken the KGX-Oxford Circus route on the underground and was let out no problem, although the barriers did not open automatically. Thanks everyone!

 

[Haywain]

although the barriers did not open automatically.

The cross-London marker will only allow barriers to open at stations that are designated for that purpose and there is no reason for Oxford Circus to be such a station.

 

[lachlan]

The cross-London marker will only allow barriers to open at stations that are designated for that purpose and there is no reason for Oxford Circus to be such a station.

This situation could be resolved if the barriers for all central London stations were programmed to open if someone is trying to leave with a ticket with the cross icon.

The one time I've broken my journey in London I had an argument with the barrier staff who didn't appear to recognise the cross-London symbol

 

[robbeech]

Cambridge—>KGX—>Oxford Circus—>LLS—>Chelmsford

Am I allowed to be the petty one today to suggest that Llanishen isn’t a suitable calling point between Oxford Circus and Chelmsford?

This is one of the reasons the forum rules politely ask that station codes aren’t used in the absence of the full station name within the post or series of posts.

LST would be London Liverpool Street.

 

[Belperpete]

In practice, you may be able to commence your journey, if you do so at a station where the maltese cross is valid for entry, such as Marylebone or Baker Street. This doesn't apply to Oxford Circus, but not sure about Elizabeth line stations, such as Bond Street or Tottenham Court Road.

 

[redreni]

In practice, you may be able to commence your journey, if you do so at a station where the maltese cross is valid for entry, such as Marylebone or Baker Street. This doesn't apply to Oxford Circus, but not sure about Elizabeth line stations, such as Bond Street or Tottenham Court Road.

It would probably be accepted at Tottenham Court Road, at least at the main gatelines off Oxford Street, not because staff there think it's okay to begin a cross-London transfer at the station, but because the official route for transferring between the Central and Elizabeth lines is through the gatelines.