Combining two return tickets ..

[oversteer]

I have two return tickets today

Gerrards Cross - High Wycombe return
Gerrards Cross - Marylebone return

If I get on a train at High Wycombe that does not stop until Marylebone, is my combination of tickets valid ? I'll be using the 'return' component of one and the 'outbound' component of another..

 

[clagmonster]

No, that would not be valid. You must get a train which stops at the split point, in this case Gerrards Cross, unless one, and only one, of the tickets is a season (or rover valid for a week or more).

 

[hairyhandedfool]

As Clagmonster says, the train needs to stop where you change from one ticket to the other in this case.

 

[SS4]

The fact that it's a return ticket makes no difference (technically you have to use the outward portion on your first ticket before the return).

This isn't valid because the train doesn't call at your "switch" point which is Gerrard's Cross.

 

[wintonian]

The fact that it's a return ticket makes no difference (technically you have to use the outward portion on your first ticket before the return).

This isn't valid because the train doesn't call at your "switch" point which is Gerrard's Cross.

You can use the return part of a return ticket first but you must then not use the out, in such cases it is advisable to throw the out portion away or give it up when your tickets are checked.

As others have said the train must call at the split point.

 

[oversteer]

Ticket office just assured me it would be fine, even when I mentioned the specific train not stopping at the midpoint

I guess it is the same TOC so no split-fare shenanigans, but still .. may get a second (third, fourth..) opinion before I travel

 

[island]

Same TOC or not, it's not allowed and if you get caught, you may have a job pleading the "but the clerk in the station said it was OK".

 

[wintonian]

It seems that you have been given incorrect advice, condition 19 of the National Conditions of Carriage sets out the rules here.

NCoC

 

[oversteer]

I think it would be easier just to get the earlier train, that DOES stop at the midpoint, than queue up at the ticket office again! What a shambles.

 

[bb21]

I guess it is the same TOC so no split-fare shenanigans, but still .. may get a second (third, fourth..) opinion before I travel

To be perfectly honest, you won't get a more accurate opinion than here. We probably have more fares experts than any other forum on the internet, that is including all the TOC websites/outlets.

 

[oversteer]

I certainly don't dispute that, and given it's quite probable someone will be on the train checking tickets, I will get it changed

 

[yorkie]

Ticket office just assured me it would be fine, even when I mentioned the specific train not stopping at the midpoint

That certainly isn't the rule, but it may be the policy of a particular TOC, however unless I got that in writing, I don't think I'd be trying it (unless I asked the guard before boarding - where there is a guard, that is!), or unless I bought the ticket for immediate travel so I could refer any RPIs to a specific person at the ticket office. (and not just say 'someone said it last week' or whatever)

I once asked for a Boundary Zone 6 to Ipswich, not realising it does not exist, and was sold a ticket from Harold Wood. As the ticket was for immediate travel and the TOC providing the train was the same from which I had bought the ticket, I just boarded anyway, the guard accepted it.

I was also sold a ticket from West Drayton to Reading rather than from Boundary Zone 6, from a FGW guard, despite being diverted via Staines. I was slightly concerned about the way back but decided not to worry as the chances of a check on SWT are minimal and I had asked for the right ticket and had clearly used the ticket on the same route on the outward as the other route was closed, and as the guard issued it, then if there were any problems the guard could then be contacted.