Manchester stations ticket destination

[Lddex]

My local station runs into Manchester piccadily and the ticket says manchester stations.

So am I able to go to Victoria vai Salford crescent ordoes my journey end at picc. I know I'm unable to use the metro as the ticket is not valid, and when asked at my booking office they told me they can only sell tickets to picc so why not say Manchester picc on the ticket.

Just wanted to see where I stood and what the official line was.

Thanks.

 

[northwichcat]

Macclesfield-Stockport-Salford Crescent-Victoria is valid but I wouldn't try to break your journey at Salford Crescent using that ticket!

 

[Lddex]

Thanks.

So its a complete legally route with the ticket as long as I don't leave the stations.

I know its quicker walking but having to catch a train from Vic as its cheaper to spilt ticket to picc and then buy a return from Vic to my destination.

 

[yorkie]

You can get an itinerary via Salford Central from a booking engine. This is evidence of a contract.

I agree it's permitted, and I also agree that some of the contractors working on behalf of Northern Rail might give you grief when using such a ticket at a location such as Salford Crescent.

However if you want a faster journey and avoid faffing around via Salford Crescent, you could get a Macclesfield-Stockport ticket, and a Stockport - Manchester Ctlz ticket, the latter is valid on the Metrolink.

You've not said where you are coming from or what time you are travelling, but assuming it is Macclesfield and it's at off peak times, the premium is £1, assuming you need the flexibility of travelling on any operator and are returning same day.

 

[Merseysider]

I agree that you might have trouble at Salford Crescent if you try to break your journey there, even though that would be valid. Northern's subcontracted STM folk are not all fully trained on ticket validity and may claim you are 'short faring'. Things might have changed since May, but I commuted there for a year using a similar ticket (slightly less dubious) and there was often a full revenue block on in the AM, with a single member of staff checking tickets in the PM.

If you are travelling from Macclesfield, note that Virgin Only (VTWC ONLY) tickets are not valid any further than Piccadilly.

 

[Lddex]

Thanks Guys.

Yorkie. - Yes I am travelling from Macclesfield. (typing on the way home so forgot the important details)

Victoria to Halifax is a cheaper day return plus I have the option of the £3 advanced fares from Northern, hence why I was asking if a Macc to Manchester Stations is valid to get me to Victoria.

I did ask a member of the barrier team at Victoria if I could use my Halifax to Manchester Stations ticket to get me to Piccadilly and was told no. I asked what ticket I would need and was told there isn't one - which ever Manchester station your train terminates at is where your ticket is valid. This did not strike me as correct as in the past I have changed at Picc for Deansgate or Oxford Road and had no issues.

Anyway back to the matter in hand. If I bought a cheap day return Virgin only to Stockport then purchased a Stockport to Manchester CTZL then I would have a valid ticket to get me from Picc to Victoria in any way I choose including the metro?

 

[bb21]

Yes, with a Ctlz ticket you will be able to use the Metrolink.

 

[TOCDriver]

Can't see there being a problem at Salford Crescent since you stay on the platform to await a train going up to Vic. No checking done whatsoever

 

[yorkie]

I did ask a member of the barrier team at Victoria if I could use my Halifax to Manchester Stations ticket to get me to Piccadilly and was told no.

They are not given proper training and have no idea about permitted routes. I can't see that ever changing, at least not under the current management.

I asked what ticket I would need and was told there isn't one - which ever Manchester station your train terminates at is where your ticket is valid. This did not strike me as correct as in the past I have changed at Picc for Deansgate or Oxford Road and had no issues.

Some of them make things up as they go along, or just say whatever untruth they've been told to say. They're not trained on how to look things up for themselves. If you want to find out information about ticket validity you are best asking here. I very much doubt they've even seen the internal Knowledge Base (iKB).

Anyway back to the matter in hand. If I bought a cheap day return Virgin only to Stockport then purchased a Stockport to Manchester CTZL then I would have a valid ticket to get me from Picc to Victoria in any way I choose including the metro?

Correct, obviously using Virgin Trains initially, and then either Northern/TPE via Salford Crescent or via Metrolink.