Using multiple tickets for one journey should be banned, with passengers forced to exit the train at the split point

[The Pelican]

So, Barnstaple to Swansea should be cheaper than either of them to Bristol? There are many such examples.

Perhaps it would be based off "shortest road alternative", although if there was a Severn Ferry, the railway might offer cheaper end-to-end tickets to compete with it.

I think the main point is that, where the railway network is inefficient for a particular journey, the cost of that can either be bourne by the customer (a problem with per-rail-mile pricing) or some sort of system can compensate for it- market-based pricing arguably already does, but "As the crow flies distance" or "Shortest Road distance", or "Shortest Road Travel Time At The Desired Time of Day", would all account for this.

(This is similar to the old BR idea, of a Commercial Speed of 60 MPH)

 

[Haywain]

I think the main point is that, where the railway network is inefficient for a particular journey, the cost of that can either be bourne by the customer (a problem with per-rail-mile pricing) or some sort of system can compensate for it- market-based pricing arguably already does, but "As the crow flies distance" or "Shortest Road distance", or "Shortest Road Travel Time At The Desired Time of Day", would all account for this.

OK, so another couple of examples - how much should be charged for Scarborough to Whitby compared to either of those to Northallerton; or Mallaig to Kyle of Lochalsh, compared to either of those to Stirling or Perth? Do you start to see the problems?

 

[Mike99]

In the original post the OP claimed passengers with split tickets were "gaming" the system. I recently purchased an advance ticket online from Bristol Parkway to Stoke on Trent with a Disabled Railcard. Priced at £19.95 I decided this was reasonable fare and bought it. Had it been noticeable dearer I would of done my own homework looking at what splits I could find, maybe Cheltenham and Stafford or similar. I collected the tickets and I have been issued, (same train, same seat throughout) Bristol Parkway to Cheltenham Spa, £4.30. Cheltenham Spa to Wolverhampton, £6.05. Wolverhampton to Stafford, £3.75 and Stafford to Stoke on Trent, £3.45. I dont think I've 'gamed' the system and I might have worked this out anyway. I ahve other examples of advance tickets Ipswich to London Liverpool Street with Greater Anglia returning an Off Peak Day Single Ipswich to Manningtree and an Advance Manningtree to London Liverpool Street. If Greater Anglia want to sell it in that fashion then so be it. If anyone is interested my Bristol Parkway to Stoke on Trent journey on 28th November is to go to a football match is preceded on the day by Stowmarket (05.29) to London Liverpool Street (06.47), London Euston (07:36) to Bristol Parkway(10.02) via Milton Keynes and Oxford via the diverted GWR service. My plans would of been direct from London Euston but hey ho, the effort some enthusiasts make to see lower league football and rare or unusual train movements over new track.

 

[etr221]

In the original post the OP claimed passengers with split tickets were "gaming" the system. I recently purchased an advance ticket online from Bristol Parkway to Stoke on Trent with a Disabled Railcard. Priced at £19.95 I decided this was reasonable fare and bought it. Had it been noticeable dearer I would of done my own homework looking at what splits I could find, maybe Cheltenham and Stafford or similar. I collected the tickets and I have been issued, (same train, same seat throughout) Bristol Parkway to Cheltenham Spa, £4.30. Cheltenham Spa to Wolverhampton, £6.05. Wolverhampton to Stafford, £3.75 and Stafford to Stoke on Trent, £3.45. I dont think I've 'gamed' the system and I might have worked this out anyway.

What would the price have been for a ticket from Bristol Parkway to Stoke on Trent for that journey? If more than £19.95, then I would say yes, you - or someone on your behalf - had 'gamed' the system.

If a comparable someone had made that journey without buying a ticket (paying that price, for those tickets, or otherwise), what would be the fare that they dodged? If your answer is not £19.95, please justify it.

 

[35B]

What would the price have been for a ticket from Bristol Parkway to Stoke on Trent for that journey? If more than £19.95, then I would say yes, you - or someone on your behalf - had 'gamed' the system.

If a comparable someone had made that journey without buying a ticket (paying that price, for those tickets, or otherwise), what would be the fare that they dodged? If your answer is not £19.95, please justify it.

If the system has been gamed (and if I do a random search for tomorrow, the best through fare I can get is about £30 with the railcard), then the question needs to be asked as to why it is that the railway industry has made it worthwhile to try to game the system.

Personally, I struggle with the language of "gaming" in this context, as it casts doubt on the customer's ethics. That view seems the wrong way round; I can't think of anywhere else that customers would be criticised for getting the lowest price possible for their purchase.

 

[Bletchleyite]

If the system has been gamed (and if I do a random search for tomorrow, the best through fare I can get is about £30 with the railcard), then the question needs to be asked as to why it is that the railway industry has made it worthwhile to try to game the system.

Personally, I struggle with the language of "gaming" in this context, as it casts doubt on the customer's ethics. That view seems the wrong way round; I can't think of anywhere else that customers would be criticised for getting the lowest price possible for their purchase.

Agreed. Splitting is only like purchasing, say, 6 bottles of Coke separately because it is on that occasion, due to some sort of offer, cheaper to do that than buy a six pack. There is no moral issue with it whatsoever.

 

[Mikey C]

If A to B costs £20 and B to C costs £15, but A to C costs £42, the customer is entirely justified in wanting to split the tickets to save £7.

The situation is entirely the fault of the rail operator/network, for distorting the market with differential pricing.

 

[Mike99]

What would the price have been for a ticket from Bristol Parkway to Stoke on Trent for that journey? If more than £19.95, then I would say yes, you - or someone on your behalf - had 'gamed' the system.

If a comparable someone had made that journey without buying a ticket (paying that price, for those tickets, or otherwise), what would be the fare that they dodged? If your answer is not £19.95, please justify it.

Sorry I re-read my post to make sure it was correct, this was Cross Country that offered the price and produced the particular set of tickets. Many Apologies