Anglo-Scottish super off-peak returns restrictions

[passivepassion]

I would like to get some advice about the restrictions which apply to departure for Scottish destinations from various London termini on weekday afternoons using the return portion of a super off-peak return.

The East Coast website states travel northbound from KGX with a super off-peak ticket is barred 1457-1859 (1815 on Fridays). Is this restriction ticket-specific, or only applied on EC services? If the latter is true, would the super off-peak be valid, say, on the 1650 GC to York? Thinking if it is possible to do that and pick up a XC from York for Edinburgh.

There doesn't seem to be an afternoon restrictions using super off-peak if departing from Euston for Scottish destinations. So if the above is not possible, I may go on the WCML instead. However, I am curious, given that break of journey is allowed, whether a London-Scotland super off-peak ticket can be used during the afternoon peak from Euston for destinations such as Preston?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Zoe]

The East Coast website states travel northbound from KGX with a super off-peak ticket is barred 1457-1859 (1815 on Fridays).

Since when is 3 - 4 PM peak? I remember a time when Supersavers were valid up until about 4 PM. If the TOCs continue exteding the peak period like this there won't be any off peak period in a few years time or maybe that's exactly what they want, pay full fare or book advance.

 

[wintonian]

I would like to get some advice about the restrictions which apply to departure for Scottish destinations from various London termini on weekday afternoons using the return portion of a super off-peak return.

The East Coast website states travel northbound from KGX with a super off-peak ticket is barred 1457-1859 (1815 on Fridays). Is this restriction ticket-specific, or only applied on EC services? If the latter is true, would the super off-peak be valid, say, on the 1650 GC to York? Thinking if it is possible to do that and pick up a XC from York for Edinburgh.

There doesn't seem to be an afternoon restrictions using super off-peak if departing from Euston for Scottish destinations. So if the above is not possible, I may go on the WCML instead. However, I am curious, given that break of journey is allowed, whether a London-Scotland super off-peak ticket can be used during the afternoon peak from Euston for destinations such as Preston?

Thanks in advance.

Where in Scotland were you thinking as restrictions do vary depending on the origin, destination and route?

I think that particular London Terminals restriction (1K) is only applied to route: any permitted tickets, in which case it would apply to all trains that depart Kings Cross during that period for the entire length of there journey- if that was the restriction applied to the ticket held.

 

[passivepassion]

Where in Scotland were you thinking as restrictions do vary depending on the origin, destination and route?

I think that particular London Terminals restriction (1K) is only applied to route: any permitted tickets, in which case it would apply to all trains that depart Kings Cross during that period for the entire length of there journey- if that was the restriction applied to the ticket held.

My journey shall originate from Dundee. What would be the restriction code for this ticket? Thanks.

 

[Paul Kelly]

Yes, that's a 1K restriction so what Wintonian says applies. The details are:

Return Travel - by any train
scheduled to DEPART:

LONDON TERMINALS: Between 0929
and 1457 inclusive & at or
after 1859. Also allowed at or
after 1815 on Fridays only.

LONDON LIVERPOOL STREET:
Between 0930 and 1629
inclusive & at or after 1834.

LONDON ST PANCRAS: Between
1026 and 1515 inclusive & at
or after 1859.

LONDON EUSTON: At or after
0905.

So yes you're right about Euston being fine - and the restriction applies to the ticket bought and will not change depending on whether you break your journey or not.

 

[wintonian]

1k, you can find what it means here

But for ease the return restrictions (which apply for the full length of the service) are:

Return Travel - by any train
scheduled to DEPART:

LONDON TERMINALS: Between 0929
and 1457 inclusive & at or
after 1859. Also allowed at or
after 1815 on Fridays only.

LONDON LIVERPOOL STREET:
Between 0930 and 1629
inclusive & at or after 1834.

LONDON ST PANCRAS: Between
1026 and 1515 inclusive & at
or after 1859.

LONDON EUSTON: At or after
0905.

STEVENAGE: between 0939 and
1507 inclusive & at or after
1909. Also allowed at or after
1835 on Fridays only.

LUTON: Between 1026 and 1515
inclusive & at or after 1859.

LUTON AIRPORT PARKWAY: Between
1026 and 1515 inclusive & at
or after 1859.

BEDFORD:Between 1026 and 1515
inclusive & at or after 1859.

WATFORD JUNCTION: At or after
0900.

MILTON KEYNES CENTRAL: At or
after 0900.

You are correct in that there are no restrictions on leaving Euston after 09:05

 

[yorkie]

Is this restriction ticket-specific, or only applied on EC services?

Each ticket has a restriction code, set by the TOC who sets the fare.

This ticket is restricted out of King's Cross in the evening. There is no easement for travel on any operator out of King's Cross at the barred times for this ticket. The solution is to leave from a London Terminal that is not barred at that time, e.g. Euston.

 

[swt_passenger]

Since when is 3 - 4 PM peak?

It doesn't follow that 3 - 4 pm is necessarily Peak, it could be 'Offpeak'.

The time embargo for Super Offpeak is different to Offpeak, AFAICT from the OJPs.

 

[Zoe]

The time embargo for Super Offpeak is different to Offpeak, AFAICT from the OJPs.

But does seem to be much more restrictive than the old Super Saver used to be. Remember also that when the Super Off Peak restrictions were introduced, the price remained the same as the old Off Peak fare and the Off Peak was hiked by about 20% on some routes.

 

[passivepassion]

Thanks for all the advice. It looks like it'll be a WCML excursion for me then. Hopefully can make my way in time for the 1630 EUS-GLC! What is the loading of this train mid-week usually btw?