Boundary Zone first class Ticket

[ctom_s]

Hi,

I recently travelled home for xmas first class (covid treat) and I was wondering about the ticket I bought...

I have a z1-6 travelcard, so I bought a Boundary Zone 6 to Fareham first class ticket (southern only, off-peak period return, if that's relevant). The train did not call at the last station in z6, and does not need to per my understanding of the conditions of carriage.

However, that left me wondering....That during my journey my ticket transitions from a 2nd class to a 1st Class ticket, so what is in theory the right thing to do?

1. Sit in first class all the way
2. Change to first class at East Croydon (before I leave z1-6)
3. Change to first class at Gatwick Airport (after I leave z1-6)
4. Hang outside first class until the train passes Coulsden South (I think that's the last stop in z6), then move to first class
5. I bought an invalid ticket combination and was naughty, since I was trying to extend a 2nd class ticket with a 1st class

I thought it was interesting food for thought anyway!

Kind Regards,
Tom

 

[Haywain]

I think you should also have obtained a change of class excess for the part of the journey not covered by the Boundary Zone ticket.

 

[yorkie]

Hi,

I recently travelled home for xmas first class (covid treat) and I was wondering about the ticket I bought...

I have a z1-6 travelcard, so I bought a boundary zone 6 to Fareham first class ticket (southern only, off-peak period return, if that's relevant). The train did not call at the last station in z6, and does not need to per my understanding of the conditions of carriage.

However, that left me wondering....That during my journey my ticket transitions from a 2nd class to a 1st Class ticket, so what is in theory the right thing to do?

1. Sit in first class all the way
2. Change to first class at East Croydon (before I leave z1-6)
3. Change to first class at Gatwick Airport (after I leave z1-6)
4. Hang outside first class until the train passes Coulsden South (I think that's the last stop), then move to first class
5. I bought an invalid ticket combination and was naughty, since I was trying to extend a 2nd class ticket with a 1st class

I thought it was interesting food for thought anyway!

Kind Regards,
Tom

There is a typo in your original post; I've highlighted above what I think it should be.

You are not entitled to enter 1st class until the boundary of Zone 6, in this case Coulsden South.

I don't think it's an invalid combination but it's invalid to sit in 1st while on the Standard ticket.

 

[Watershed]

Definitely not 1 - you do not have a First Class ticket throughout.

Also not 2, as again you do not have a First Class ticket between East Croydon and the boundary of Zone 6.

3 is definitely a safe call as no-one can claim you are in the wrong if you do this.

4 would be permitted from the boundary of Zone 6 - if your train goes via Redhill, this would be after Coulsdon South.

If your train takes the Quarry Lines (i.e. it avoids Redhill, as with most trains which run non-stop from East Croydon to Gatwick) then it's a little bit more murky, as the line does not directly pass through Coulsdon South station. But I think you would certainly be allowed to move to First once you are in Quarry Tunnel under the North Downs, as you are then well outside of any definition of Zone 6.

5 - you can mix First and Standard tickets when splitting, but you are only entitled to sit in First for those portions of the journey where you have a First class ticket.

 

[ctom_s]

OK thanks all, it did indeed take the Quarry line so will note said Tunnel. Anyway I don't think I'll be doing it again since SWT via Basingstoke is a fair bit faster, but strangely they don't seem to offer first class boundary Z6 to Fareham tickets on SWT. Guess I'll just have to slum it XD.

 

[Watershed]

OK thanks all, it did indeed take the Quarry line so will note said Tunnel. Anyway I don't think I'll be doing it again since SWT via Basingstoke is a fair bit faster, but strangely they don't seem to offer first class boundary Z6 to Fareham tickets on SWT. Guess I'll just have to slum it XD.

They do, they're just rather more expensive - £54.40 for a First Anytime Day Return or £108.20 for a First Anytime "Open" Return (though note, this is slightly different to the conventional Open/Anytime Return as the outward portion is only valid for one day).

 

[ctom_s]

Interesting, I don't think the "open" return was offered to me on the ticket machine where I bought, perhaps because it's basically just two single fares? (and you'd be absolutely crazy to pay that anyway(!))

 

[Watershed]

Interesting, I don't think the "open" return was offered to me on the ticket machine where I bought, perhaps because it's basically just two single fares? (and you'd be absolutely crazy to pay that anyway(!))

The machine probably just hasn't been configured to recognise the ticket type code (OR1). Very poor of course, but at least in this case it's unlikely to lead to overcharging as it's twice a single, like you say.

 

[island]

3-4 are fine. 1-2 are not.

 

[kieron]

If your train takes the Quarry Lines (i.e. it avoids Redhill, as with most trains which run non-stop from East Croydon to Gatwick) then it's a little bit more murky, as the line does not directly pass through Coulsdon South station.

Boundary zone 6 tickets become valid from the last station in zone 6. If you are on a train which uses the Quarry Lines, that means Purley.

The snag is that a passenger won't know for certain which way a train will go until a bit later (after Stoats Nest Junction, I think). I'm not familiar with the line, but if your train is on one of the middle tracks after the Caterham line leaves (on the right) for the second time, you're safe to move.

For what it's worth, a "via Barnham" Croydon-Fareham 1st class off peak return is a little cheaper than a "Southern only" one from Boundary Zone 6, and gives a bit longer in first class.