Off Peak Validity

[railfleet]

I always thought that an Off-Peak ticket was valid on any train by any operator.
However, my son is travelling on an Off-Peak ticket that clearly states on it: 'Valid via Transpennine Express Only'

So is this another attempt to limit passengers rights, given that he isn't (like most train travellers, save most of those who frequent this forum) well up on rail ticketing issues? The interpretation that most would have is that travel is on a TPE-only train - which isn't an issue outbound, but will be on the return leg on Sunday as his booked TPE service is cancelled. If it is a flexible ticket, available any train/operator, why is the text stating valid on TPE only present- it's clearly misleading - if it is valid on any operator, then it simply shouldn't be present. Restriction TB does not limit train operators to be used, and he is travelling outside of the restricted times. Ticket was bought from Trainsplit, and he assures me that he booked a flexible ticket (to cover possible service disruption and/or changes to travel plans).

 

[Haywain]

The ticket is only valid on TPE operated services. It is a flexible ticket with some time restrictions but also restricted by operator. These, and similar, tickets have been around for many years, so are nothing new. It's a way of offering cheaper tickets although some will argue that the saving is not always worthwhile.

 

[bakerstreet]

Unfortunately TOC (train operating company) specific tickets are sold for all ticket types - Off peak, Super off peak, Anytime and advance.

They are sold at a discount to the Any Permitted (or non TOC specific) price.

More unfortunately, unlike those with a geographical restriction, TOC specific restrictions cannot be excessed away by the payment of a fee.

They are a pain if bought accidentally but they have been on sale since privatisation.

The TOC restriction is shown when purchasing in TrainSplit and other retailers but can be missed.

I feel your frustration

 

[island]

I always thought that an Off-Peak ticket was valid on any train by any operator.

You were wrong to think that. Most off-peak tickets are not valid on "any train", and tickets may be restricted by route, operator, or otherwise as may be indicated on the ticket.

The fact that the ticket is restricted to TPE trains would have been displayed clearly prior to purchase.

An off-peak return ticket valid by any operator could have been purchased for an extra £9.90.

 

[ainsworth74]

It's a way of offering cheaper tickets although some will argue that the saving is not always worthwhile.

This is probably one of the examples where it is worthwhile as the Off-Peak valid on any operator is £32.85 so the £10 saving is certainly worth it. Examples where it isn't could be things like Redcar Central to Middlesbrough where the Any Permitted is £2.80 but the TPE only is £2.30 a grand total of a 50p saving... Get on a Northern train with that ticket and that'll be another £2.80 please as the £2.30 you've already spent is now worthless as the industry won't allow the ticket to be excessed.

 

[Haywain]

This is probably one of the examples where it is worthwhile as the Off-Peak valid on any operator is £32.85 so the £10 saving is certainly worth it. Examples where it isn't could be things like Redcar Central to Middlesbrough where the Any Permitted is £2.80 but the TPE only is £2.30 a grand total of a 50p saving... Get on a Northern train with that ticket and that'll be another £2.80 please as the £2.30 you've already spent is now worthless as the industry won't allow the ticket to be excessed.

As I said, arguable. Whether it is worthwhile or not depends on whether the buyer knows which trains they are going to use or is prepared to adjust accordingly, but I don't think that is about price as most of us would choose to pay 50p less if we feel it's convenient.

 

[ainsworth74]

Whether it is worthwhile or not depends on whether the buyer knows which trains they are going to use or is prepared to adjust accordingly, but I don't think that is about price as most of us would choose to pay 50p less if we feel it's convenient.

I was about to comment that saving 50p but limiting ones-self to one operator on a journey of ten minutes seems ridiculous and exactly the sort of complexity people complain about. But then I re-read:

As I said, arguable.

And decided you were spot on and so won't try and argue it further

 

[kkong]

They are sold at a discount to the Any Permitted (or non TOC specific) price.

Except if you're CrossCountry.

Aberdeen to Edinburgh
Off Peak Return
£58.10 Any Permitted (valid after 0915)
£58.80 CrossCountry Only (valid from 0930)

 

[Western Sunset]

Except if you're CrossCountry.

Aberdeen to Edinburgh
Off Peak Return
£58.10 Any Permitted (valid after 0915)
£58.80 CrossCountry Only (valid from 0930)

Does "any permitted" mean one can travel by Cross-Country too?

 

[skyhigh]

Does "any permitted" mean one can travel by Cross-Country too?

Yes.

 

[30907]

Except if you're CrossCountry.

Aberdeen to Edinburgh
Off Peak Return
£58.10 Any Permitted (valid after 0915)
£58.80 CrossCountry Only (valid from 0930)

At least you wouldn't accidentally buy that and discover you can't actually use it on Mondays to Fridays (of course it's the same price if you reverse the route, and you can actually do the return trip by XC that way).

 

[Birmingham]

The best example of operator-restricted flexible tickets has to be West Midlands Trains tickets between London and the West Midlands/Crewe. These offer extraordinary savings for taking slower regional trains on the WCML and many, many people would be rather sad to see them disappear!

 

[Segedunum]

This is probably one of the examples where it is worthwhile as the Off-Peak valid on any operator is £32.85 so the £10 saving is certainly worth it. Examples where it isn't could be things like Redcar Central to Middlesbrough where the Any Permitted is £2.80 but the TPE only is £2.30 a grand total of a 50p saving... Get on a Northern train with that ticket and that'll be another £2.80 please as the £2.30 you've already spent is now worthless as the industry won't allow the ticket to be excessed.

I'd say it's only worthwhile if you're on your way to the station/at the station and the next train is a TPE (and you know its definitely running- not always a given these days, granted).

However if its more than literally minutes in advance and the next train is a Northern service, no point at all.

Edit- And if it's just a single. Not worth it with a return either on that route!

 

[kkong]

(of course it's the same price if you reverse the route, and you can actually do the return trip by XC that way).

You would get to spend 45 minutes at Aberdeen station before you caught the same train back to Edinburgh!

There's only one Edinburgh to Aberdeen CrossCountry service a day (there's two in the other direction, but the first is before the off peak ticket validity).

 

[Starmill]

If the nominated train is cancelled, unfortunately your son will be expected to wait until the next TransPennine Express service, unless they're specifically advised by TPE that ticket acceptance is in place (this is unlikely).

The flip side to this is that TPE will have to pay out much more in compensation for the delay than if the customer had a ticket valid on the first available alternative. Swings, as they say, and roundabouts.

 

[30907]

You would get to spend 45 minutes at Aberdeen station before you caught the same train back to Edinburgh!

You could stay overnight though, it's not a Day Return

 

[Watershed]

If the nominated train is cancelled, unfortunately your son will be expected to wait until the next TransPennine Express service, unless they're specifically advised by TPE that ticket acceptance is in place (this is unlikely).

The flip side to this is that TPE will have to pay out much more in compensation for the delay than if the customer had a ticket valid on the first available alternative. Swings, as they say, and roundabouts.

To be fair, there is standing ticket acceptance in the event of cancellations with XC and LNER (on weekdays). The latter exception will of course affect quite a lot of inconvenienced passengers.