Ticket to help me cope with SWR disruption

[TheManOnThe172]

I am arranging travel for an elderly relative, but have hit a problem due to the temporary timetable that SWR are running on the Waterloo-Exeter service.

The passenger is travelling out Oxford - Axminster tomorrow. There is no problem with this.

She is returning on Wed 13, when the new timetable applies. She is getting to Honiton by bus, and was expecting (as before) to transfer to a Honiton-Basingstoke service from Platform 1 which has step-free access from the bus. Passenger Assistance is booked. She was planning to buy Oxford-Basingstoke and Basingstoke-Honiton returns.

But on checking, I have realised that the temporary timetable has trains passing at Honiton, so half of the trains will use Platform 2, which will be near-impossible for her to reach. SWR aren't sure whether it will be the London-bound or Exeter-bound train that uses Platform 1, and so propose sending her 75 miles by taxi from Honiton to Salisbury. That doesn't sound clever (or financially or environmentally sensible)

I have so far failed to persaude SWR that it would be cheapest for them to put her on whichever train pulls into Platform 1, and sort out the change to ticketing and reservations if it happens to be the Exeter-bound train.

If SWR dig their heels, her least-bad option would be to buy a more expensive ticket that would cover her either way. Is there a station between Honiton and Exeter that has validity to/from Oxford both via Basingstoke and via Exeter?

 

[Tom]

SWR aren't sure whether it will be the London-bound or Exeter-bound train that uses Platform 1, and so propose sending her 75 miles by taxi from Honiton to Salisbury.

I can't talk to the rest of it but the idea they don't know is bonkers, Honiton is a station where scheduling platforms is mandatory. The trains scheduled in platform 1 are nearly all heading in the Exeter direction. Platform 2 for London bound services. https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...25-08-13/0200-0159?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt

 

[Kite159]

If the trains are passing at Honiton then the London bound train has to use P2 due to the signalling. Customer services are probably mixing it up with Axminster where both tracks are bi directional.

Platform 2 at Honiton does have step free access as there is a ramp from the car park side

 

[TheManOnThe172]

Thanks for the advice.

The problem with the step-free route to Platform 2 at Honiton is that it is a fairly steep and lengthy walk for a wobbly person, and also potentially a problem for staff as the time taken to get over there with the passenger via the step-free route will be considerable. I guess that is why SWR thought of offering a taxi.
After further remonstration, I did manage to get SWR to see sense, and they are issuing a ticket for return via Exeter.

But it is concerning that it needed me (having read this thread) to have spotted the problem: it seems that the Passenger Assistance manifest has been produced automatically without scrutiny by anyone who might have spotted the problem. I fear that Honiton may have a fair few problems with PA passengers arriving from Exeter or heading for London during the temporary timetable period. With a two-hour gap between trains, it needs someone to have worked out solutions well in advance of the passenger presenting at the station.