This happened to me a while ago- one of our party had unexpectedly to travel back early leaving 2 with GPS-3 tickets. In the end we travelled with someone on an Advance and they used the extra Groupsave ticket as far as our stop, so that doesn't help you much!
It seems reasonable that as long as you show all tickets it should be ok, but by my reading of the T&Cs the specified number of people must travel. I think a lot of guards would be fine with it if you explained, but some not- if you can ask before boarding it's worth a go.
Seems a bit strange that the rules make it more attractive to ask round at the station to see if anyone wants a free ride- thus losing income from their ticket- than to simply not use the 4th ticket!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I'll confirm at work tomorrow but I think ScotRails policy is only to excess single travellers with groupsaves. ie passengers travelling alone.
Theory = as the groupsave is based on the price of 2x CDR then four passengers together have paid the correct fare, three passengers together have paid the same, as have two. It is only when one passenger alone is traveling on a groupsave that the railway encounters a loss so to speak as that passengers ticket would be for 1/3 o 1/4 of the fare depending on GS3 or GS4.
We are instructed to excess to the CDR if appropriate.
Now with the new style Group Saves being issued on ONE ticket then the group obviously must stick together. However, again in theory any number from one to four can travel as in all cases they have paid the correct fare or indeed a higher fare than required.
This is how it should work! I've always thought groupsave tickets should be on a single ticket. Yes, it won't work the barriers, but barriers don't stop tickets being used separately!
I would expect seperated groupsave tickets to be treated like a missing railcard though, full open single sold. Perhaps excess at a ticket office before travel.
