Southeastern selling off-peak ovalised single in afternoon peak

[MikeWh]

A visitor to my site has noticed an anomaly with fares to Dartford from London. There is an off-peak day single (CDS) priced at half the off-peak day return (DDR) which it says is not valid before 0930 or between 1600-1900. Then there is a POP single priced at the same as the CDS which says NOT FOR TRAVEL (because it's PAYG) but the validity restriction is just 0630-0930. This is not correct as it's not a contra peak flow so there should also be a 1600-1900 restriction as well. I know brfares can't be relied upon to quote PAP/POP prices correctly, but ...

If you go to purchase a single from Charing Cross to Dartford on the Southeastern website and select a train in the afternoon peak, it will allow you to buy the CDS.

 

[STINT47]

The Virgin Ticket app will also sell me this ticket tomorrow at the restricted times.

Checking the ticket code PX on national rail confirms that it's not valid from London between 16:00 to 19:00 but retailers appear to sell it.

It would be harsh if someone then got into trouble using the ticket in the peak in this situation.

 

[jfollows]

The Virgin Ticket app will also sell me this ticket tomorrow at the restricted times.

Checking the ticket code PX on national rail confirms that it's not valid from London between 16:00 to 19:00 but retailers appear to sell it.

It would be harsh if someone then got into trouble using the ticket in the peak in this situation.

If they’re sold the ticket alongside an itinerary for specific trains then it’s valid on those trains.

 

[Sonic1234]

If they’re sold the ticket alongside an itinerary for specific trains then it’s valid on those trains.

In law, yes. In practice, not so much. Few people on the ground understand the idea of contract law and consumer protection regulations. This is the sort of argument that will work when you have to buy a new ticket, customer services won't refund it and you're taking the TOC to the small claims court.

 

[alistairlees]

National Rail says it (the Off-Peak Single from London to Dartford, route Any Permitted with restriction code PX) is not valid between 16:00 and 19:00.

On the other hand, the data doesn't say that at all, only having a morning restriction for code PX.

Retailers are therefore correct to sell it, though I would not expect a hassle-free experience.

 

[redreni]

National Rail says it (the Off-Peak Single from London to Dartford, route Any Permitted with restriction code PX) is not valid between 16:00 and 19:00.

On the other hand, the data doesn't say that at all, only having a morning restriction for code PX.

Retailers are therefore correct to sell it, though I would not expect a hassle-free experience.

Buy it alongside an itinerary from Southeastern, I would suggest, as it would be Southeastern gateline staff at Charing Cross, Cannon St or London Bridge (if you used one of those terminals) and at Dartford who you'd end up conversing with.

 

[transportphoto]

I’d suggest the intention is for Southeastern to fix this fairly soon. Posting threads like this is a good way at getting something sorted.

 

[CyrusWuff]

Oval restrictions for traditional tickets should be:

• Singles:
  • PW: AM Peak only (e.g. Virginia Water to London Terminals)
  • PY: AM and PM Peak (e.g. London Terminals to Virginia Water)
• Returns:
  • PS: PM peak in both directions (e.g. Beaconsfield to Gatwick Airport)
  • PT: No PM peak in either direction (e.g. Watford Junction to St Albans Abbey)
  • PX: PM peak on return leg only (e.g. Leighton Buzzard to London Terminals)
  • PZ: PM peak on outward leg only (e.g. London Terminals to High Wycombe)

It "skips" PU and PV because Chiltern use those for their Super Off-Peak restrictions.

 

[redreni]

Yes, well, it would have been noticed pretty quickly anyway as this undercuts the intended fare for London commuters if you use PAYG on the way in and buy this ticket for the return leg. It'd be cheaper for my commute into City Thameslink, in fact, albeit not really worth doing regularly as it limits me to a less frequent service on a slower route than I usually take, and because it's the data rather than the restriction text that's allowing travel in the evening peak, one would really have to stick to the booked itinerary, which is obviously a bit onerous for a modest saving.