BOJ - off peak return on peak train

[monopoly]

Is it permissible to take a break of journey and join any train at Preston arriving at Euston after 10.05 using the return leg of an off peak return from London to Oxenholme?

The train was classed as a peak service for tickets starting at Preston but was off-peak from Oxenholme. I was told that my ticket was invalid because it was a peak service at the station where I wanted to join it.

As I understand it the ticket is subject to restriction code 5F.

thanks

 

[yorkie]

The ticket you hold is a London - Oxenholme Off Peak R (SVR)

Restriction Code: 5F

RETURN TRAVEL You may travel on any train that is scheduled to ARRIVE_as shown below:

ARRIVE: LONDON EUSTON Before 0430 and at or after 1005

There is no restriction on the return portion of any 'SVR' ticket, and this is no exception!

 

[bb21]

Do you mean starting short at Preston, or are you doing an actual break of journey?

If the latter, which train are you catching to get to Preston in the first place?

 

[monopoly]

I arrived in Preston the night before - but not on the train.

 

[bb21]

In that case, I cannot see any issue either.

The concept of "peak service" is a red herring and one that regularly causes misunderstanding of the restrictions. Such concept does not exist. Restrictions are tied to tickets, not trains.

 

[34D]

Is it permissible to take a break of journey and join any train at Preston arriving at Euston after 10.05 using the return leg of an off peak return from London to Oxenholme?

The train was classed as a peak service for tickets starting at Preston but was off-peak from Oxenholme. I was told that my ticket was invalid because it was a peak service at the station where I wanted to join it.

As I understand it the ticket is subject to restriction code 5F.

thanks

Did you buy a new ticket or receive any paperwork?

 

[monopoly]

I had to buy a peak single to Euston

 

[bb21]

I expect that you will be writing to Virgin for a refund?

 

[monopoly]

I'll be writing and complaining once I find my original off-peak.

It was rather humiliating to be told on the train by a team of revenue protection inspectors that my ticket was not valid - they gave the impression that they had caught me trying to scam them. They wouldn't listen when I said I shouldn't have to pay an extra £166 - the price is outrageous!!

 

[jkdd77]

This certainly isn't the first time passengers with valid long-distance SVR return portions have run into problems with Virgin when 'starting short' at intermediate stations.

Virgin really do need to provide better training to their staff.

 

[maniacmartin]

Peak times are determined by the ticket, not the train, nor the equivalent ticket from where you board the train.

Very poor service from Virgin, especially if they were trained RPIs.

 

[yorkie]

If Passenger Focus don't address your complaint, go to Passenger Focus : http://www.passengerfocus.org.uk/contact/complaint

If they don't deal with it adequately, tell them you want to escalate the matter to Linda McCord. After that, Anthony Smith...

Don't give in, and don't accept their £20 fob-offs either.

I used to have an excellent contact at VT customer services, sadly not any more.

 

[johnnycache]

Can anyone point to some general text that explains what restrictions apply after a break of journey

For London-Oxenholme off-peak return there is nothing
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/ticket_types/64106.aspx

However on East Coast more detail is given although not in every case
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/ticket_types/64286.aspx

 

[LexyBoy]

In the 5F example, there is no need for specific text dealing with BoJ as "not arriving in London Euston after 04:29 until 10:05" is perfectly clear.

The 9D one has text to clarify BoJ on the outward portion; for the return, the "not arriving in Kings Cross before..." restriction is again all that's needed.

 

[Haywain]

The ticket you hold is a London - Oxenholme Off Peak R (SVR)

Restriction Code: 5F

There is no restriction on the return portion of any 'SVR' ticket, and this is no exception!

Presumably, you mean "There is no break of journey restriction on the return portion of any 'SVR' ticket, and this is no exception!"

 

[yorkie]

Indeed.