Breaking journeys

[jednick]

Regarding day return tickets and period return tickets, not advance purchase:

I often break my journey at an intermediate station for a break, for maybe an hour or so, then continue my journey to my destination.

Several times, the ticket inspector on the train has said I can break my journey as many times as I like on the return journey, as long as the ticket is valid on that day.

But sometimes, the ticket inspector says I'm not allowed to break my OUTWARD journey, although I thought I read this is allowed in the National Rail Conditions Of Carriage booklet.

So, what's the situation? Just regarding break or journey for an hour or two on the outward portion of an day return or saver return ticket? (I know I can't do this on an advance purchase ticket). And, if I'm right that I can break the outward journey, how can I prove to the train staff I'm right?


Also, what happens if the ticket inspector stamps my ticket, then I break my journey, and when I rejoin a second train later, the ticket inspector on the second train thinks my ticket's not valid and has already been used?

 

[yorkie]

Regarding day return tickets and period return tickets, not advance purchase:

I often break my journey at an intermediate station for a break, for maybe an hour or so, then continue my journey to my destination.

Several times, the ticket inspector on the train has said I can break my journey as many times as I like on the return journey, as long as the ticket is valid on that day.

That is correct.

But sometimes, the ticket inspector says I'm not allowed to break my OUTWARD journey, although I thought I read this is allowed in the National Rail Conditions Of Carriage booklet.

You can break your journey unless it is made "clear in the Train Company's notices and other publications" (source: NRCoC) so, do they make it clear that you can't? If not, then you can!

The only regular ticket type where such a prohibition is made clear is with an Advance ticket.

Not only that, but there only used to be provision to bar break of journey on the outward portion of non-Day tickets, it is only since "simplification" in 2008 that things have been made more complicated. However I was assured by someone senior at ATOC that Simplification was not about eroding our rights, therefore there should be no attempts to restrict break of journey to either Day tickets or outward portions.

For Off Peak tickets, it is generally allowed.

So, what's the situation? Just regarding break or journey for an hour or two on the outward portion of an day return

That's fine, you can do that, should always be fine on a Day ticket as I mentioned above.

or saver return ticket? (I know I can't do this on an advance purchase ticket).

It can vary, regarding the outward portion, the vast majority of former Savers will allow BOJ, but a small number do not allow it. You have to check the restriction code of the specific ticket you wish to use.

And, if I'm right that I can break the outward journey, how can I prove to the train staff I'm right?

If they make an allegation that your ticket is not valid, it is surely up to them to prove it?

I had someone claim I could not break my journey (to go to a supermarket) at Aylesbury, so I asked the ticket clerk to look it up, he then let me through the barrier.

Also, what happens if the ticket inspector stamps my ticket, then I break my journey, and when I rejoin a second train later, the ticket inspector on the second train thinks my ticket's not valid and has already been used?

Just explain you broke your journey.

 

[jednick]

Thanks for the detailed reply. So, if the train company doesn't make public the fact that they don't allow outward break of journeys, then it's ok.

I've had this problem a few times, the ticket inspector adamant that "you can only break your return journey, not the outward journey", always on an off-peak day return, and I find it embarrassing that they make out I'm doing something wrong!

 

[yorkie]

I've had this problem a few times, the ticket inspector adamant that "you can only break your return journey, not the outward journey", always on an off-peak day return, and I find it embarrassing that they make out I'm doing something wrong!

You could try asking them where this is stated.

e.g. " is my ticket bound by the Conditions of Carriage?" "What does the Conditions of Carriage say about whether I may break my journey?" If they get the answers to those right, then you can ask "where is it stated in the notices & publications that I cannot break my journey for this ticket?"

I bet the people inventing rules have all "let you off" "just this once" or "on this occasion", right?

 

[jednick]

You could try asking them where this is stated.

e.g. " is my ticket bound by the Conditions of Carriage?" "What does the Conditions of Carriage say about whether I may break my journey?" If they get the answers to those right, then you can ask "where is it stated in the notices & publications that I cannot break my journey for this ticket?"

I bet the people inventing rules have all "let you off" "just this once" or "on this occasion", right?

Yes that's right. What if they get really funny and say something like "I'm in charge of this train so I say what's valid and not valid" or "You've broken your outward jouney, pay for another or get off at the next stop" ? Similar happened to me when I used a Cornish rover ticket on CrossCountry, and they said it was only valid on FGW, they asked me to get off but I proved I was right by showing them a leaflet.