Getting off a stop early

[gjta12]

I have bought an advanced ticket a few weeks ago for LLandudno Junction to Stafford, however I have now decided to go to Liverpool and was wondering if it would be okay to get off a stop or two earlier at Crewe or Chester as it is faster and cheaper to Liverpool from there. I wouldn't be going out the station, just to a different platform in order to get the train to Liverpool. Thanks

 

[yorkie]

I have bought an advanced ticket a few weeks ago for LLandudno Junction to Stafford, however I have now decided to go to Liverpool and was wondering if it would be okay to get off a stop or two earlier at Crewe or Chester as it is faster and cheaper to Liverpool from there. I wouldn't be going out the station, just to a different platform in order to get the train to Liverpool. Thanks

It's only valid as per the itinerary.

However, in practice, if you buy another ticket, and simply get off early and start immediately using another ticket, no-one is going to notice.

 

[gjta12]

It's only valid as per the itinerary.

However, in practice, if you buy another ticket, and simply get off early and start immediately using another ticket, no-one is going to notice.

Yes, I should have said, I would buy a ticket from Crewe or Chester to Liverpool beforehand

 

[JonathanH]

However, in practice, if you buy another ticket, and simply get off early and start immediately using another ticket, no-one is going to notice.

There is a very small risk that if the original poster has an e-ticket from Chester or Crewe and has not scanned that ticket at Chester or Crewe they may be asked to explain how they got past the gateline by a subsequent inspection. Then they would have to show that they stopped short on an advance ticket. However, the risk of that being picked up is small.

 

[Bletchleyite]

There is a very small risk that if the original poster has an e-ticket from Chester or Crewe and has not scanned that ticket at Chester or Crewe they may be asked to explain how they got past the gateline by a subsequent inspection. Then they would have to show that they stopped short on an advance ticket. However, the risk of that being picked up is small.

Given that those gatelines are often not closed, I would be extremely surprised if this came up.

 

[yorkie]

There is a very small risk that if the original poster has an e-ticket from Chester or Crewe and has not scanned that ticket at Chester or Crewe they may be asked to explain how they got past the gateline by a subsequent inspection. Then they would have to show that they stopped short on an advance ticket. However, the risk of that being picked up is small.

Given that those gatelines are often not closed, I would be extremely surprised if this came up.

Furthermore, scans can take a day or so to appear on the system, and I am not sure if all TOCs give live access to the data to such staff?

 

[gjta12]

There is a very small risk that if the original poster has an e-ticket from Chester or Crewe and has not scanned that ticket at Chester or Crewe they may be asked to explain how they got past the gateline by a subsequent inspection. Then they would have to show that they stopped short on an advance ticket. However, the risk of that being picked up is small.

By gatelines, do you mean ticket barriers? If so couldn't I just say they were open like they are on occasions

 

[JonathanH]

By gatelines, do you mean ticket barriers?

Yes

If so couldn't I just say they were open like they are on occasions

I wouldn't do that as if someone asked it would be likely because they know they were closed.

It would be better to show the ticket you finished early on.

I was merely making the point that there is never no risk with using a ticket outside its validity. The risk with your proposed course of action is tiny.

 

[Gloster]

Or you could buy a paper ticket before leaving Llandudno Junction. I presume that this is possible at the ticket machine there if you want to avoid the booking office, although give yourself enough time as there may be a bit of fiddling with the display. N.b. You might not get the absolute cheapest ticket.

 

[Kite159]

From memory a Crewe/Chester to Liverpool ticket is only offered as a TOD due to the validity on Merseyrail.

Cheaper for the OP to change at Chester and get a Saveaway if they are coming from the Llandudno Junction direction

 

[JonathanH]

Cheaper for the OP to change at Chester and get a Saveaway if they are coming from the Llandudno Junction direction

That runs the risk of them having to show a ticket that isn't valid for break of journey or stopping short at Chester at the gateline there, so isn't a viable option.

 

[yorkie]

Challenging for not having a scan is a theoretical matter, and anyone asking that question would not definitively be able to state a ticket hadn't been scanned.

(It is my understanding is that unused e-tickets purchased online and submitted for refunds should not be refunded until the day after validity, for this reason)

 

[Kite159]

That runs the risk of them having to show a ticket that isn't valid for break of journey or stopping short at Chester at the gateline there, so isn't a viable option.

"I boarded at Bache"

(As Bache is unstaffed, only having Merseyrail TVMs which don't sell Saveaway tickets)

 

[JonathanH]

"I boarded at Bache"

(As Bache is unstaffed, only having Merseyrail TVMs which don't sell Saveaway tickets)

Telling lies is not the answer.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Is there any issue here in providing advice to the OP when the question is essentially, once again, how to circumvent the terms and conditions (restrictions) of an Advance ticket? These aren't meant to be flexible tickets.

Advance Tickets Terms and Conditions | National Rail

The terms and conditions for using Advance tickets on National Rail services. Advance tickets are single tickets for selected journeys, available in First Class and Standard Class, offering the best available price for each journey.

www.nationalrail.co.uk

Extract...

Break of journey
6.1 You may not start, break and resume, or end your journey at any intermediate station except to change to/from connecting trains as shown on the ticket(s) or other valid travel itinerary.

 

[JBuchananGB]

The correct action is to write off the advance ticket Llandudno to Stafford, and purchase new ticket(s) Llandudno to Liverpool. There was a good suggestion if changing at Chester to use a Merseytravel All Area Saveaway from there to Liverpool. I do not know any online ticket site that will sell them. Any TOC booking office will sell them as will Chester TVMs and and Northern TVMs. There are no off-peak point-to-point tickets available for journeys wholly on Merseyrail. It's Saveaways or Daysavers.