Northern Duo - Quick question

[p.d87]

Hi All,

Heading to Blackpool in a couple of weeks with 5 others and need to get a single from Preston to Blackpool South, now looking at the fares it is cheaper for us to get 3 duo tickets. Only snag is these are valid only by the outbound journey being from Blackpool into Preston. (I was just going to use the return portion of the ticket.) My question being am I able to purchase these tickets from the conductor on route to Glasgow or local Scotrail station before I travel down or can these tickets only be purchased from Northern stations and staff?

Thanks

 

[northwichcat]

now looking at the fares it is cheaper for us to get 3 duo tickets.

2 Duos and 1 single will cover 5 and be cheaper than 3 Duos.

 

[hairyhandedfool]

They are issued as pairs, one at £0.00 and one at the amount due for both. They cannot be issued seperately, but you should be able to buy them at any staffed station. Both people on the Duo must travel together at all times.

If you required only a single your group's tickets would only be valid if you had two duos, a return and a single.

 

[tony_mac]

two duos, a return and a single.

I don't understand the need for a return and a single.
But anyway, what's wrong with three duos, for the six people?

 

[Mike395]

2 Duos and 1 single will cover 5 and be cheaper than 3 Duos.

There's 6 people, him and 5 others

 

[me123]

I think people may have misread your first post! There are six people travelling; because the poster + five others = 1+5 = 6.

I don't think there should be a problem with you buying it at a staffed Scotrail station, but I don't think you'll be able to get one on the train up here; even if it's possible, I doubt the guard would know the ins and outs of it. You should be able to get it in Glasgow Central ticket office, though. Northern Rail clearly stated that it can be purchased "...in advance from ticket offices at any staffed train station."

In my experience, the staff at Central ticket office are very good at these more unusual requests, so I'm sure they'll get you the right ticket (even if they have to go and research it a bit!).

 

[hairyhandedfool]

I don't understand the need for a return and a single.
But anyway, what's wrong with three duos, for the six people?

I think I to am guilty of not reading properly, if all six are only going one way then three Duos is fine.

 

[transportphoto]

Hi all,

I think I have found a problem in the OPs plans, they are planning to buy a return ticket from Blackpool North to Preston and use the return portion before the Out portion has been used (AIUI they have no intention to use the Out portion)

Is this valid?

( ... ) Only snag is these are valid only by the outbound journey being from Blackpool into Preston. (I was just going to use the return portion of the ticket.) ( ... )

Blackpool North - Preston Line

Validity:
Only valid for journeys into Preston

From: Blackpool North, Layton, Poulton-le-Fylde, Kirkham & Wesham or Salwick.

Availability:
Mondays to Fridays
Outward travel - any train timed to depart from 0930 onwards
Return travel - any train the same day.

Saturdays, Sundays & Bank Holidays (not valid during December)
Outward travel - any train
Return travel - any train the same day.

 

[island]

Yes it is. You can use a RTN portion without using the OUT portion, but you can't use an OUT portion unless you are in possession of the unused RTN portion as well.