Commuting from Wrexham to Liverpool

[jfollows]

Out of curiosity are Wrexham to Shotton tickets valid via Chester? Are there not direct trains via Chester?

Yes, map CH allows this for Wrexham-Shotton tickets. The direct route is also allowed because it’s the shortest route. Wrexham-Chester-Shotton-Liverpool isn’t allowed, but it’d probably be unlikely anyone would notice. The routeing guide isn’t recursive in this way.
Yes, there are through trains via Chester also.

 

[NorthWalian]

Just to clarify, between which stations are you contemplating possible issues? Wrexham General and Shotton, via Penyffordd? Or Wrexham General -> Chester (direct)? Is that the "other route"?

Switching to going via Chester if there are issues on the Borderlands.

For example if a Wrexham to Bidston train was delayed I can't see why I would have an issue just taking a train to Chester and going from there to Liverpool.

It is just as weirdly, Wrexham > Penyffordd and Penyffordd > Liverpool add up to less than Wrexham > Liverpool

 

[jfollows]

Switching to going via Chester if there are issues on the Borderlands.

For example if a Wrexham to Bidston train was delayed I can't see why I would have an issue just taking a train to Chester and going from there to Liverpool.

Not as long as you have the more expensive “any permitted” ticket or season ticket, no, this is completely fine.
In any case, the only cheaper season ticket is “via Runcorn” only.

 

[NorthWalian]

Not as long as you have the more expensive “any permitted” ticket or season ticket, no, this is completely fine.
In any case, the only cheaper season ticket is “via Runcorn” only.

Interesting,

What are the rules in case of delays as in where is the threshold for being able to take a different route to the same destination (such as going through bidston with a ''via runcorn'' ticket or vice versa)

 

[jfollows]

Interesting,

What are the rules in case of delays as in where is the threshold for being able to take a different route to the same destination (such as going through bidston with a ''via runcorn'' ticket or vice versa)

You can’t. There is no threshold. Exceptionally you might be permitted to, but you have no right to. You pays your money and you makes your choice!

 

[Krokodil]

Interesting,

What are the rules in case of delays as in where is the threshold for being able to take a different route to the same destination (such as going through bidston with a ''via runcorn'' ticket or vice versa)

If something has majorly gone wrong with the Halton Curve then TfW may ask Merseyrail for ticket acceptance.

 

[NorthWalian]

You can’t. There is no threshold. Exceptionally you might be permitted to, but you have no right to. You pays your money and you makes your choice!

There was issues on Merseyrail to Bidston a few weeks back when I was in Liverpool and I got let via the Chester route without too much difficulty.

I must have had some good luck but both Tfw and Mersey staff waved me through.

 

[Djgr]

There was issues on Merseyrail to Bidston a few weeks back when I was in Liverpool and I got let via the Chester route without too much difficulty.

I must have had some good luck but both Tfw and Mersey staff waved me through.

If you have an Anytime Day Return (the one that costs £15.60 without a railcard) then you can always mix and match your routes (via Runcorn, via Hooton, via Borderlands). You can always go there one route and back another.

 

[NorthWalian]

If you have an Anytime Day Return (the one that costs £15.60 without a railcard) then you can always mix and match your routes (via Runcorn, via Hooton, via Borderlands). You can always go there one route and back another.

Perhaps that is what I’ll have to pay for

 

[NorthWalian]

Just as a follow up

For whatever reason, TrainSplit won’t let me take the 7:03 to Chester on Avanti with a split at Hamilton Square

Is there some sort of operator restriction that means I’d be paying more for that versus the 6:55?

 

[Djgr]

Just as a follow up

For whatever reason, TrainSplit won’t let me take the 7:03 to Chester on Avanti with a split at Hamilton Square

Is there some sort of operator restriction that means I’d be paying more for that versus the 6:55?

Is that for a single or return ticket?

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Just as a follow up

For whatever reason, TrainSplit won’t let me take the 7:03 to Chester on Avanti with a split at Hamilton Square

Is there some sort of operator restriction that means I’d be paying more for that versus the 6:55?

Nothing to do with pseudo-compulsory reservations possibly being required on the 07:03 Avanti departure from Wrexham General to London Euston (via Chester then Crewe/Stafford)?

 

[Djgr]

Just as a follow up

For whatever reason, TrainSplit won’t let me take the 7:03 to Chester on Avanti with a split at Hamilton Square

Is there some sort of operator restriction that means I’d be paying more for that versus the 6:55?

Appears to be working for me on other sites but paper tickets only.

 

[NorthWalian]

Appears to be working for me on other sites but paper tickets only.

Must be a reservation thing

TrainSplit does seem to be getting a bit worse lately.

 

[NorthWalian]

Nothing to do with pseudo-compulsory reservations possibly being required on the 07:03 Avanti departure from Wrexham General to London Euston (via Chester then Crewe/Stafford)?

If I just went and boarded that train would the staff onboard send a penalty fare of any sort?

 

[Krokodil]

If I just went and boarded that train would the staff onboard send a penalty fare of any sort?

Avanti don't do penalty fares and the centre car will be unreserved. You must make sure that you have a ticket before you join a Merseyrail service though.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Out of curiosity are Wrexham to Shotton tickets valid via Chester? Are there not direct trains via Chester?

Yes they are (the only fare offered is the Anytime Day Return at £5.40).
Virtually all Wrexham-Chester services go on to the coast, although Shotton is served mostly by the Manchester service requiring a change at Chester.

 

[NorthWalian]

Yes they are (the only fare offered is the Anytime Day Return at £5.40).
Virtually all Wrexham-Chester services go on to the coast, although Shotton is served mostly by the Manchester service requiring a change at Chester.

Not sure why one wouldn’t go direct on the Borderlands anyway though

 

[NorthWalian]

Avanti don't do penalty fares and the centre car will be unreserved. You must make sure that you have a ticket before you join a Merseyrail service though.

I would buy a ticket at Wrexham anyway.

What does them not doing penalty fares mean?

 

[jfollows]

What does them not doing penalty fares mean?

You used the term “a penalty fare of any sort” and Avanti don‘t issue penalty fares.
They do report people for potential prosecution but that’s totally irrelevant here.
No, Avanti since Covid have made all their trains “reservation only” but then provide reservation-free seats, it’s a bodge. Tomorrow I will be using one of their trains on a day return without a reservation. It’s not an issue. But it causes problems with booking sites which need a reservation and won’t issue a ticket if no reservation is available. I buy my ticket at the station when I want to travel. It sounds like you’ll be in the same situation.
Most people here think that what Avanti (and LNER) do stinks, we’re not defending it. They don’t want people with season tickets or ‘open’ tickets (such as day return tickets) using their trains, they get more money from advance tickets because they don’t share the revenue with other operators.

 

[Krokodil]

Not sure why one wouldn’t go direct on the Borderlands anyway though

From Shotton to Wrexham? Going via Chester is quicker on those direct services which do exist, the hours of service are longer, and the train is more likely to turn up - the 230s have failed again today, I see.

 

[NorthWalian]

From Shotton to Wrexham? Going via Chester is quicker on those direct services which do exist, the hours of service are longer, and the train is more likely to turn up - the 230s have failed again today, I see.

Interesting

 

[NorthWalian]

You used the term “a penalty fare of any sort” and Avanti don‘t issue penalty fares.
They do report people for potential prosecution but that’s totally irrelevant here.
No, Avanti since Covid have made all their trains “reservation only” but then provide reservation-free seats, it’s a bodge. Tomorrow I will be using one of their trains on a day return without a reservation. It’s not an issue. But it causes problems with booking sites which need a reservation and won’t issue a ticket if no reservation is available. I buy my ticket at the station when I want to travel. It sounds like you’ll be in the same situation.
Most people here think that what Avanti (and LNER) do stinks, we’re not defending it. They don’t want people with season tickets or ‘open’ tickets (such as day return tickets) using their trains, they get more money from advance tickets because they don’t share the revenue with other operators.

Shouldn't be too much of a hassle then

 

[Statto]

As the OP has a car, driving to Birkenhead North were there are 8 trains an hour to Liverpool could be a possibility too, Birkenhead North is 5 minutes from the M53 motorway & has a secure car park.

 

[Djgr]

As the OP has a car, driving to Birkenhead North were there are 8 trains an hour to Liverpool could be a possibility too, Birkenhead North is 5 minutes from the M53 motorway & has a secure car park.

The Forum has gone through the multiple options available to the OP. My suggestion is to try a number of them out and see which works out best.

(The main issue with Birkenhead North, with its excellent free park and ride, is that the car journey in rush hour from Wrexham can be "hairy" in places).

 

[jfollows]

You used the term “a penalty fare of any sort” and Avanti don‘t issue penalty fares.
They do report people for potential prosecution but that’s totally irrelevant here.
No, Avanti since Covid have made all their trains “reservation only” but then provide reservation-free seats, it’s a bodge. Tomorrow I will be using one of their trains on a day return without a reservation. It’s not an issue. But it causes problems with booking sites which need a reservation and won’t issue a ticket if no reservation is available. I buy my ticket at the station when I want to travel. It sounds like you’ll be in the same situation.
Most people here think that what Avanti (and LNER) do stinks, we’re not defending it. They don’t want people with season tickets or ‘open’ tickets (such as day return tickets) using their trains, they get more money from advance tickets because they don’t share the revenue with other operators.

I even had my ticket and railcard checked on my Avanti “reservations only” trip from Wilmslow to Manchester this morning. Unusual to be checked, but of course no problem because I did the right thing.

 

[NorthWalian]

I even had my ticket and railcard checked on my Avanti “reservations only” trip from Wilmslow to Manchester this morning. Unusual to be checked, but of course no problem because I did the right thing.

That is reassuring