More expensive fare despite shorter journey?

[nr2001]

Hi all,

Sorry if this is common knowledge, but noticed this weird phenomenon and wondered if any of you knew fares are priced this way.

All prices are for the Northern service, going from Wigan Wallgate via Bolton and arriving at Manchester Victoria at 06:49 on Mon 2 Feb 2026. Journeys are listed in order of stops from Wigan Wallgate to Manchester Victoria.

Wigan Wallgate - Manchester Victoria - £2.50
Ince - Manchester Victoria - £2.40
Hindley - Manchester Victoria - £2.40
Westhoughton - Manchester Victoria - £6.00
Bolton - Manchester Victoria - £2.10
Moses Gate - Manchester Victoria - £2.10
Farnworth - Manchester Victoria - £2.10
Kearsley - Manchester Victoria - £2.10
Salford Crescent - Manchester Victoria - £2.40
Salford Central - Manchester Victoria - £2.30

I've used 1 Feb as an example, but a similar price plays out over different times, months and days of the week. Most of it makes sense, but the huge price jump for Westhoughton, and small bump for both Salford stations seems counterintuitive.

 

[Alex365Dash]

Most of these are Advance fares, which are quota-controlled and increase in tiers as either more people buy tickets or the departure date creeps closer.

Westhoughton, Salford Crescent and Salford Central just don’t (usually) have Advance tickets which is the reason for the price jump.

 

[nr2001]

Most of these are Advance fares, which are quota-controlled and increase in tiers as either more people buy tickets or the departure date creeps closer.

Westhoughton, Salford Crescent and Salford Central just don’t (usually) have Advance tickets which is the reason for the price jump.

Sorry I'm bit of a noob when it comes to trains (hence the question). Why would Westhoughton and the two Salfords not normally have advance tickets?

 

[trainophile]

Try Southport to Wigan Wallgate! It’s cheaper to buy Southport to Manchester Victoria and Vic back to Wallgate. Crazy and very annoying.

 

[Hadders]

Sorry I'm bit of a noob when it comes to trains (hence the question). Why would Westhoughton and the two Salfords not normally have advance tickets?

Ticketing in the Greater Manchester area has recently been simplified to make it less confusing.

What this means is that Advance fares for journeys wholly within Greater Manchester have been withdrawn. Advance fares are 'booked train only' quota controlled fares and aren't really intended for short distance journeys in urban areas where frequent services operate. That said, for various reasons they were sold, but have now been withdrawn.

The result of this is that the simplification has resulted in a significant increase in price and further anomalies....

 

[Bletchleyite]

I thought Advances on the day within Greater Manchester had been withdrawn (or rather will be) but purchased the day before or earlier they remained?

 

[Hadders]

I thought Advances on the day within Greater Manchester had been withdrawn (or rather will be) but purchased the day before or earlier they remained?

I can't see any Advance fares in BRFares for Westhoughton or Salford Crescent or Salford Central to Manchester Victoria (there are a few Sale tickets but no prooper Advance fares)