New Virgin Super Off-Peak Single (Online) fares?

[MKB]

A £12.50 Euston-Coventry "Super Off-Peak Single (Online)" fare has appeared when you book on Virgin's website. These look like they're similar to the SVH fares, only cheaper.

I found it by asking for a COV-EUS return, out on 28/3, back 29/3. This fare shows up on the return trains at 22:30 and 23:30.

This could be really useful for me as I often need one of these two trains but can't be sure I'll make the 22:30, so I end up buy two Advances and throwing one away.

My questions are: Is this new? (I've not spotted it before.) And, as it's not listed on brfares.com (yet), what are the time restrictions?

 

[RJ]

I understand a TOC can offer these special temporary fares on flows for which they are the lead operator for up to 84 days a year. Virgin Super Off Peak is normally offered for sale around the school holiday periods. I believe that they're the most time restrictive walk up fares in the system - seem to recall the restrictions also apply on Saturdays!

 

[All Line Rover]

If I remember correctly similar fares were available last year during two weeks in December.

 

[telstarbox]

I understand a TOC can offer these special temporary fares on flows for which they are the lead operator for up to 84 days a year.

Interesting - why only 84 days per year?

 

[johnnycache]

I work for Southern

Chapter 4 of the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement permits two sorts of temporary fare
that can be created by the lead operator of a flow


1) A fare that is valid on all operators' services which can be sold for a maximum of 34 weeks in 52
2) A dedicated or joint fare which can be used for a maximum of 12 weeks in 52

Note "used" rather than "sold" in the second case - so this would preclude selling annual seasons (for example) within the 12 week window

 

[MKB]

I understand a TOC can offer these special temporary fares on flows for which they are the lead operator for up to 84 days a year. Virgin Super Off Peak is normally offered for sale around the school holiday periods. I believe that they're the most time restrictive walk up fares in the system - seem to recall the restrictions also apply on Saturdays!

But what are the time restrictions? How does one find out if the fare is not listed on brfares.com nor nationalrail.co.uk?

 

[tannedfrog]

The guard probably won't know either so it makes sense just to assume the same restrictions as the normal-priced Super Off Peak Single.

The same with the East Coast 50% discounted one.

 

[barrykas]

The guard probably won't know either so it makes sense just to assume the same restrictions as the normal-priced Super Off Peak Single.

Except Virgin don't have Super Off-Peak tickets, as a rule...Virgin have probably produced a briefing for their staff detailing the restrictions, but there appears to be no public information about it.

 

[radamfi]

Except Virgin don't have Super Off-Peak tickets, as a rule...Virgin have probably produced a briefing for their staff detailing the restrictions, but there appears to be no public information about it.

No public information about restriction = same validity as Anytime?

 

[LexyBoy]

...or valid on the booked train only?

 

[RJ]

Virgin put up posters advertising the tickets advising of the restrictions when these fares are available for travel on the day of purchase.

http://www.virgintrains.co.uk/assets/pdf/announcements/super-off-peak-timetable.pdf

In previous years, the restrictions have been something similar to valid between 11:18 and 13:33, then after 20:00, with less restrictions on Saturday and less still on Sundays.