Lowestoft/Norwich to London return

[kingston]

I'll need to travel Lowestoft to London, and then London to Diss/Norwich, with a flexible return needed.

Is there any interpretation of routing rules or split tickets that makes this cheaper than buying two (expensive) off-peak singles that don't benefit from the return discount?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Watershed]

Lowestoft to London is valid via Norwich if you buy an "Any Permitted" fare, so you could buy an Off-Peak Return and then 'finish short' at Diss or Norwich on your return journey. Only the "not via Norwich" fare (which doesn't exist for Off-Peak Returns) forces you to go via Saxmundham.

 

[saismee]

Lowestoft to London Terminals Off-Peak Return certainly sounds perfect as @Watershed mentioned. There is an easement specifically permitting travel to/from Lowestoft via Norwich (instead of using an Ipswich service) on tickets marked "Any Permitted" for routing. Keep in mind this will also be valid on TfL services to any London terminal, so you can also choose a closer station. Break of journey is permitted on this ticket.

Keep in mind that ticket would also be valid via Ipswich, so you can save a little time on your outbound journey by taking that route. It's usually a simple cross-platform change from platform 1 to 2 to get onto the London-bound service.

 

[Haywain]

There is an easement specifically permitting travel to/from Lowestoft via Norwich

It's not an easement, it's a valid mapped route.

 

[saismee]

It's not an easement, it's a valid mapped route.

Section E of the routeing guide (easements) has easement 030178 which says

Customers travelling from Lowestoft, Oulton Broad North, Somerleyton and Haddiscoe
travelling to Ipswich may travel via Norwich. This easement applies in both directions.

 

[Watershed]

It's not an easement, it's a valid mapped route.

I think there is a degree of mutual confusion. That easement only applies to journeys to Ipswich specifically (not journeys via there). Without the easement, it wouldn't be permitted to travel via Norwich - as Lowestoft to Ipswich falls under the 'local journey' rules under which only direct trains or the shortest route (or within 3 miles) can be used.

Separately, Lowestoft to London is permitted via Norwich because it isn't a local journey, and Norwich passes the fares check to qualify as an 'appropriate' Routing Point.

 

[Hadders]

Keep in mind this will also be valid on TfL services to any London terminal, so you can also choose a closer station.

Since when was a Lowestoft to London Terminals ticket valid to any London Terminal via TfL?

 

[saismee]

Since when was a Lowestoft to London Terminals ticket valid to any London Terminal via TfL?

Apologies, I got it mixed up with a zonal ticket. I presume that Liverpool Street would be the only terminal on a reasonable route.

Routeing and ticketing are very confusing subjects!!

 

[Hophead]

Depending on connections, via Norwich can be the quicker route.

 

[Sleepy]

Apologies, I got it mixed up with a zonal ticket. I presume that Liverpool Street would be the only terminal on a reasonable route.

Routeing and ticketing are very confusing subjects!!

from & via Norwich to London tickets are also valid to Kings Cross.

 

[MarlowDonkey]

from & via Norwich to London tickets are also valid to Kings Cross.

Would that be via Cambridge?

 

[30907]

Would that be via Cambridge?

Presumably

 

[Watershed]

Would that be via Cambridge?

Yes. Via Peterborough isn't a permitted route, even though it can be the only route that avoids replacement buses on weekends when they Network Rail have managed to coordinate closures of both the GEML and Shepreth Branch Jn (i.e. both routes south of Cambridge)... Not that I'm affected about that or anything!