New Routing Guide....

[mark_hammond75]

it looks like there's yet another new version of the routing guide out (dated 07/08/2009)

I've not had much of look but at first glance:

Maps:

• NK
  Grove Park Added
  Ramsgate repositioned
• KL
  New Map!
• DL
  New Map!
• DG
  Grantham and Sleaford removed
• CH
  Hunts Cross Added

Permitted Routes

I've had a quick look, and it seems that a lot of routes from the south to Scotland that used to have loads of routes now have just LONDON (I guess the London to Scotland bit on Map AS will included most of the old routes).

Also, Map DL replaces DL in a lot of routes.

Gravesend has been promoted to a routing point.

Here's a quick and dirty comparison of the routes:

View attachment Report.zip

 

[krus_aragon]

Is there any fanfare, warning or summary given with these updates, or is it just Mark's fine comparisons in this forum?

Also, Map DL replaces DL in a lot of routes.

I think you mean DL replaces DG?

 

[mathmo]

I think the Woking - Slough route that was discussed at length here recently has been changed: the only valid route now that goes west from Woking is via Salisbury then Bath (not Bristol or Exeter as it was before). Woking-Basingstoke-Reading-Slough is still banned, which is stupid as that's a totally reasonable route!

 

[dan_atki]

(not Bristol or Exeter as it was before).

The valid map combination has changed from WR+WX to LW+WX.

This changed has simply removed validity at Exeter but added validity at Newport (and hence Gloucester)... Bristol is still valid as it was.

Provided travel from Bristol to Reading is not undertaken via Bath, and travel from Newport to Reading is undertaken via Chepstow, Gloucester, and Kemble then you are on a permitted route.

 

[mathmo]

The valid map combination has changed from WR+WX to LW+WX.

This changed has simply removed validity at Exeter but added validity at Newport (and hence Gloucester)... Bristol is still valid as it was.

Provided travel from Bristol to Reading is not undertaken via Bath, and travel from Newport to Reading is undertaken via Chepstow, Gloucester, and Kemble then you are on a permitted route.

You are correct - I wasn't trying to use map LW in such a circuitous manner!

 

[embers25]

OK so one major chamge is that they tried to fix my Woking-Slough routing issue. WR+WX is no longer valid and it has been replaced with WX+LW!!!!!!!
Surely after all this (I am STILL awaiting a refund) someone should have at least verified that the new Woking-Slough route was accurate.

LW+WX which now allows routes Woking-Salisbury-Bristol-Newport-Gloucester-Swindon-Reading-Slough amongst many other presumably invalid routes! Interestingly the most logical routes Woking-Guildford-Reading-Slough and Woking-Basingstoke-Reading-Slough are still both banned and yet still ok according to the station RGIS system!!!

I've just contacted ATOC to ask that given this is a brand new update does that now mean Bristol is now valid?!?!
I also just spoke with SWT and hope to get smoewhere this time! I'll update.

Regards,
Karl

 

[glynn80]

I've just contacted ATOC to ask that given this is a brand new update does that now mean Bristol is now valid?!?!

This is a bad decision IMO.

You have now alerted ATOC to another route that could seem to be excessive in their eyes and again will likely be removed.

In future if you find examples such as this, it is best to hold off contacting the TOCs unless absolutely necessary (such as when you have been charged a large excess), then you can exploit the loophole for as long as possible.

 

[krus_aragon]

This is a bad decision IMO.

You have now alerted ATOC to another route that could seem to be excessive in their eyes and again will likely be removed.

In future if you find examples such as this, it is best to hold off contacting the TOCs unless absolutely necessary (such as when you have been charged a large excess), then you can exploit the loophole for as long as possible.

On the other hand, should we be content in allowing ATOC to continue tweaking and modifying on its own terms? I wouldn't be too happy if I bought a ticket on the 7th intending to travel routes from the old routeing guide, only to find that the 'terms and conditions' were updated earlier that morning.

 

[glynn80]

On the other hand, should we be content in allowing ATOC to continue tweaking and modifying on its own terms? I wouldn't be too happy if I bought a ticket on the 7th intending to travel routes from the old routeing guide, only to find that the 'terms and conditions' were updated earlier that morning.

Of course not! But the issue you raise was not the one embers25 raised within his email.

embers25 was getting confirmation of a new route being valid not challenging the fact the guide has had three different versions in the space of one month.

 

[Solent&Wessex]

I wish they would stop updating this randomly. I have just downloaded the pdf files to my mobile phone so I can access the guide on the move, now I'll have to do it all again. :-x

 

[tony_mac]

They 'fixed' Carlisle to Newcastle!

Although Carlisle to Middlesbourgh hasn't changed.

 

[embers25]

So ATOC responded:

"Thank you for your email. In noting your comments, I confirm that the combination of maps WX+LW is a temporary measure to remove the route permission via Exeter. To solve the matter properly we need a new map which will only allow the route via Clapham Junction and London. This new map will be available for next month's update of the Routeing Guide and retail systems."

I pointed out to them that being this lazy and making up temporary map combinations instead of fixing the issue doesn't seem very legal and certainly is not ethical. Also I raised the issue that the new map options he highlighted as coming soon would still ban Basingstoke-Reading and Guildford-Reading and so how could he now use only these maps given their own station RJIS allows those routes and they are the logical ones as I'm sure not many would think of going from Woking to Reading via Clapham J.
I can't believe ATOC are legally allowed to just say we can't be bothered to fix things.