Manchester stns advance

[curtly]

Hi,

I have an advance single from Manchester stns to ulverston.

My reservation says Manchester pic - Preston

Can I board at oxford road/ will my ticket work in the barriers?

 

[Agent_c]

Generally speaking, Advances need to be on the specific train using the specific listed stations in your itinerary.

 

[Puffing Devil]

Tricky. Strictly speaking, you should be on the train at Piccadilly.

Common sense suggests you should be able to board at Oxford Road, though if you encounter a member of staff that wants to stick rigidly to the rules, you could have a problem.

 

[Camden]

I believe there is guidance issued that states where the effect is cost neutral that staff should be sensible about it. Someone starting at Manchester Oxford Road is hardly gaming the system, and the ticket also says "Stns" to boot.

 

[curtly]

Yes, the ulverston to manchester leg wouldn't work in the barriers at Oxford road but the staff let me out.
Too cold and wet to walk to Piccadilly so feel like i should be fine

 

[Merseysider]

Yes, the ulverston to manchester leg wouldn't work in the barriers at Oxford road but the staff let me out.
Too cold and wet to walk to Piccadilly so feel like i should be fine

Yeah you'll be fine, the staff at Oxford Road are a relaxed lot. I'd still board at Piccadilly myself but that's only for the higher chance of getting a seat, as the Preston trains can get quite busy.

Honestly, nobody will care whether you get on at Picc or Oxford Road.

 

[PermitToTravel]

If you put the ticket rather than the reservation through the barrier (the part that says Stns on it) it usually works IME

 

[gray1404]

Just to second what people have said here, they are more relaxed at Oxford Road.

I would not want to take my chances my ticket only being valid as far as Oxford Road and then getting off the train at Piccadilly as I could imagine Northern's contractors taking an issue with it. But you are starting your journey so its slightly different.

I once had a Manchester to Newcastle Advance and I specifically inputted Oxford Road as the starting point. I received two mandatory reservations: Oxford Road to Piccadilly and Piccadilly to Newcastle.

 

[6Gman]

Just to second what people have said here, they are more relaxed at Oxford Road.

I would not want to take my chances my ticket only being valid as far as Oxford Road and then getting off the train at Piccadilly as I could imagine Northern's contractors taking an issue with it. But you are starting your journey so its slightly different.

I once had a Manchester to Newcastle Advance and I specifically inputted Oxford Road as the starting point. I received two mandatory reservations: Oxford Road to Piccadilly and Piccadilly to Newcastle.

I hope you sat in the correct seat for the first leg of that journey.

 

[curtly]

Boarded at Oxford road with no issues, just presented my ticket and no hassle at all

 

[Bletchleyite]

Yes, the ulverston to manchester leg wouldn't work in the barriers at Oxford road but the staff let me out.

Sounds like it's not encoded properly. Oxford Road barriers would open for a Manchester Stns ticket of any kind.

FWIW, you may lose your seat reservation (I'm assuming it's a Class 185 service with these). Given how busy these trains can get, if you want to travel from Oxford Road I'd spare the time and pay the quid or so for a single to Picc and board there. Actually, if I had time, I'd do that regardless of reservation, and when I used to travel west from Oxford Road a lot I used to do that all the time.