London Euston to Shotton - Off Peak trains

[parkender102]

I have a query as the Virgin Rail website does not answer it and I can’t get through to the help line as it’s busy with travel query chaos due to the snow.

I have an Off Peak Return ticket from Shotton to London Euston booked via East Coast Trains Website. I am returning on the 16:40 Thursday 23rd December 2010 London Euston to Shotton (Manchester Piccadilly Pendolino service - change at Crewe and Chester for Arriva Trains Wales connections).

Although the website gives me a confirmed seat reservation on the Pendolino (so I assume the ticket is valid on this service) there seems to be some confusion with regard to Off Peak Trains. According to the Virgin website a train from London to Chester is only Off Peak if it departs before 15:01 and after 18:44. However according to the website if the ticket is London Euston to Flint, Bangor, Prestatyn etc the only train an Off Peak ticket is NOT valid on is the 16:10 SuperVoyager to Chester. I assume this is also the case for ticket to Shotton (or any station in Wales that Virgin stops at) so therefore the ticket is valid on the 16:40.

Any help on this matter would be appreciated.

 

[John @ home]

A Shotton - London Terminals Off-Peak return has Restriction VK.

These restrictions apply Monday to Friday. By any train on other days.

Outward Travel
You may travel on any train that is scheduled to arrive London Euston at or after 1000.

Return Travel
You may travel on any train that is scheduled to depart London Euston at or after 0905 but not valid on the 1610.

• Break of Journey is not valid on Outward Travel.
• Off-peak restrictions will not apply on Virgin Trains services between midday 23rd Dec 2010 to 3rd January 2011 inclusive.

 

[wintonian]

Would it be possible to tell us exactly what it says on the ticket? Ideally could you scan it and post it here?

Now if the ticket is not an advance ticket restricted to a specific train then it is likely to be a £66.20 off peak return, is that right?

If it is then there is no restriction after 12:00 on the 23rd December if using Virgin Trains.

Off-peak restrictions will not
apply on Virgin Trains
services between midday 23rd
Dec 2010 to 3rd January inc.
BVS/BVR/SVS/SVR OFF-PEAK
FSR/FSS/SFR/BFR/BFS
OFF-PEAK (First Class)

The ticket code for this type of ticket is 'SVR'

 

[parkender102]

Thanks gents! The ticket is £66.20 Off Peak Return - In both cases I think I'm OK as every train after 09:05 it is valid on apart from the 16:10 and also as you both point out anything after 12:00 on the 23/12/2010 is Off Peak.

Interesting that there is a big restriction on trains to Chester on any other Friday afternoon than 23/12 - between 15:01 and 18:44 you cannot travel on an Off Peak ticket to Chester. I've attached a scan of the ticket for info.

 

[Track Basher]

I would not worry Virgin have lifted all restrictions until the New Year because of the poor weather conditions. You can travel on whatever train you want.

From the VT website

Severe weather causing delays
Date: From Monday 20 December until Wednesday 22 December

What is happening?

Delays and cancellations being experienced. Check www.nationalrail.co.uk.

Advice:

Virgin Trains is running services on all routes, but with delays and cancellations due to the severe weather conditions.Virgin Trains has suspendedvoff-peak ticket restrictions until 03 January 2011 inclusive. Passengers holding off-peak tickets are able to travel at any time on thier booked day of travel.

 

[parkender102]

Excellent news all round - now just have to wait and see what happens with that big fall of snow over midlands and North Wales today.............