Is a more expensive routed ticket always valid via a cheaper route?

[ForTheLoveOf]

Say only one company runs the more expensive via route do they get all the money or does a % go to the another company just in case customer chooses to travel the cheaper via option?

This is down to the division of revenue via the ex-BR system called ORCATS. There have been plenty of previous threads on that subject on the forum; full details of the workings of ORCATS aren't public, but from leaks through the years we have a reasonable approximate idea of how it works.

However, the division of revenue between different TOCs has nothing to do with the validity of a ticket. That is determined solely by the details of the ticket (origin, destination, route, ticket type, discount type (if any), price).

 

[woody505]

Was aware of ocrats just wondered hypothetical u have two routes too choose from both say valid by only is ocrats clever enough to split the revenue up fairly if you buy the higher price ticket and then travel via the cheaper route will the the cheaper route train operating company see any of the ticket money for transporting you

 

[ForTheLoveOf]

Was aware of ocrats just wondered hypothetical u have two routes too choose from both say valid by only is ocrats clever enough to split the revenue up fairly if you buy the higher price ticket and then travel via the cheaper route will the the cheaper route train operating company see any of the ticket money for transporting you

No, ORCATS will stick to the "printed" route restriction. Hence, for operators who operate along slower routes (e.g. Northern for Manchester to Leeds via Hebden Bridge), it is slightly more advantageous for the default route to be "Any Permitted" than "via X", as there is a chance they will get some of the revenue. Of course, in most cases, they don't control both routes and it would be questionable for them to collaborate with the fare setter of the "via X" fare to change it to "Any Permitted" just so that they get more revenue (and why would the other fare setter, e.g. TPE in this hypothetical example, do that anyway!).

 

[TurbostarFan]

No, ORCATS will stick to the "printed" route restriction. Hence, for operators who operate along slower routes (e.g. Northern for Manchester to Leeds via Hebden Bridge), it is slightly more advantageous for the default route to be "Any Permitted" than "via X", as there is a chance they will get some of the revenue. Of course, in most cases, they don't control both routes and it would be questionable for them to collaborate with the fare setter of the "via X" fare to change it to "Any Permitted" just so that they get more revenue (and why would the other fare setter, e.g. TPE in this hypothetical example, do that anyway!).

Does this apply even if you obtain a zero fare excess from the ticket office or guard?