ALRs Cheaper than 7 day seasons.

[alex17595]

I have noticed on the NRE site that it says that it may be cheaper to get an all line rover rather than a season ticket.

Assuming:
*comparing to 7 day season
* adult fare
*standard class

How many example is there of cheaper fares through the ALR use.


My calculations:


1 week ALR = £464 or £66.20/day (7 days)
1 week ALR railcard: £306 or £43.70/ day


2 week ALR = £702 or £50.14/day (for 14 days)
2 week ALR railcard £463 or £33.07/day


31 days of 7 day ALR - £2052
31 days of 7 day ALR (Railcard) - £1354

31 days of 14 day ALR - £1554
31 days of 14 day ALR (Railcard) - £1025



A 1 month season between Berwick upon Tweed and kings cross is £1,961.50 or £63.27/ day. A Two week all line rover saves £13/day on that price..


So how many different examples is there of this happening?

Also are ALRs valid before 10 on weekdays with a railcars discount?

 

[IanD]

I thought they didn't want to advertise this as it would lead to a loss of revenue for various TOCs. Plus it will lead to more 'peak time' restrictions on use of the ALR.

 

[alex17595]

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/ticket_types/season_tickets.aspx


Its under 'what sort of journey can I buy a season ticket for.'



The earliest from berwick-KGX arrives at 9:40 though.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I thought they didn't want to advertise this as it would lead to a loss of revenue for various TOCs. Plus it will lead to more 'peak time' restrictions on use of the ALR.

Maybe it's being publicised as part of a plot designed to lead to that result...?


[/conspiracy theory mode]

 

[maniacmartin]

How many people want a season between Berwick and Kings Cross though? It'd be a crazy commute

 

[cde]

How many people want a season between Berwick and Kings Cross though? It'd be a crazy commute

I've used a few ALRs to do a commute from Durham to London for a couple of months straight - worked well because I didn't have to be in central london until half ten so missed the 10am validity barrier into KGX by four minutes (0707 from DHM).

The 1st class ALR was about the same as the standard season - so that made it bearable - at least I had breakfast and dinner on the train each day too! Killer commute in the end though, didn't hack it for long.

 

[bb21]

Also are ALRs valid before 10 on weekdays with a railcars discount?

They are valid, but not for use at certain London and South East stations with certain TOCs before 10.

There is a loophole, however we have been reliably informed that if this is exploited en masse then the loophole will be shut leading to more restrictions.

 

[LexyBoy]

ALRs are valid before 10, but the restrictions on peak (dis)embarkment at certain stations for some TOCs still apply.

 

[IanD]

Also are ALRs valid before 10 on weekdays with a railcars discount?

I believe the only railcard with a blanket 10am time restriction is the Network Ralcard which isn't valid for ALRs anyway.

Some of the others (16-24, HM Forces) have a minimum fare restriction which would easily be exceeded by the cost of an ALR.

With a Senior Railcard as long as you intend to leave the Network SE area, there's no time restriction (other than those imposed by the ALR itself). But you could argue that if you were heading from (eg) Victoria to Brighton that your intended destination was (eg) Plymouth and you were just taking the scenic route as allowed by the ALR and if leaving the station at Brighton you were just breaking your journey.

 

[bb21]

ALRs are valid before 10, but the restrictions on peak (dis)embarkment at certain stations for some TOCs still apply.

For some reason I thought he was referring to the restriction on those TOCs. I have amended my post for clarification.

 

[IanD]

They are valid, but not for use at certain London and South East stations with certain TOCs before 10.

There is a loophole, however we have been reliably informed that if this is exploited en masse then the loophole will be shut leading to more restrictions.

Plus Birmingham New Street.