Overnight travel

[Mike395]

Hi there! Ive missed the last train back to Broadstairs from London tonight. Im just wondering, if I went to Gillingham and in effect started my journey by 2am, could I get the first train out tomorrow/today c. 5am to complete my journey on the same ticket - the return half of a super off peak return to Victoria. Any advice most welcomed! Mike

 

[Ivo]

I'm sure that yorkie could give a definitive answer, but I believe that so long as you avoid travelling during the peak period - and given you're against most traffic, restrictions should not apply - then you can still make the journey to Broadstairs, providing you start no later than 12noon and make no change of train after that.

 

[John @ home]

Ive missed the last train back to Broadstairs from London tonight. Im just wondering, if I went to Gillingham and in effect started my journey by 2am, could I get the first train out tomorrow/today c. 5am to complete my journey on the same ticket - the return half of a super off peak return to Victoria.

I think it may depend whether you are "still travelling" at 0230. The relevant information from the National Fares Manual CD is:

Origin : BROADSTAIRS
Destination : LONDON VICTORIA
Route : 00130 - NOT VALID ON HS1
SRR - SUPER OFFPK DAY SET
1 Adult @£ 18.60
Standard Class Return

OUTWARD TRAVEL
By any train except those timed to depart Mondays-Fridays before 1000.
RETURN TRAVEL
By any train.

Break of Journey
Out : Yes
Return : Yes

Super Off-Peak Day tickets are valid for travel on the date shown on the ticket and until 0230 on the following day. If a passenger is still travelling at 0230, they may stay on the train to complete that part of the journey but no further break of journey is allowed and all travel must be completed by 1200.

"Break of Journey" is defined in the National Rail Conditions of Carriage as

you will be treated as breaking your journey if you leave a Train Company’s or Rail Service Company’s stations after you start your journey other than:
(i) to join a train at another station, or
(ii) to stay in overnight accommodation when you cannot reasonably complete your journey within one day, or
(iii) to follow any instructions given by a member of a Train Company’s staff.

Trying to apply these Rules to tonight's London - Gillingham service suggests:

• the 0035 Victoria - Gillingham 0135 would mean you were not still travelling at 0230 so the right to complete that part of the journey may not apply
• the 0014 Charing Cross - Gillingham 0141 would mean you were not still travelling at 0230 so the right to complete that part of the journey may not apply
• the rail replacement bus 2250 New Cross - Gillingham 0137 would mean you were not still travelling at 0230 so the right to complete that part of the journey may not apply
• the rail replacement bus 2350 New Cross - Gillingham 0238 would mean you were still travelling at 0230 so the right to complete that part of the journey applies.

It seems that the person who wrote the definition of "Break of Journey" may not have considered rail replacement buses.

It seems that your first train to Broadstairs from Gillingham is
0547 Gillingham - 0611 Faversham 0615 - Broadstairs 0654.

 

[Mike395]

Ended up just buying another ticket to save hassle - although I'd still be interested in opinions on the wording of the ticket restrictions - NRE seems to interpret the suggestion above as valid, as on the journey planner it offers you the return portion of the ticket as an option for the journey, complete with overnight stop.

(As an aside, Gillingham is an interesting place to go for a 3hour wander at night - very easy to get lost though!)

 

[466.networkers]

Ended up just buying another ticket to save hassle - although I'd still be interested in opinions on the wording of the ticket restrictions - NRE seems to interpret the suggestion above as valid, as on the journey planner it offers you the return portion of the ticket as an option for the journey, complete with overnight stop.

(As an aside, Gillingham is an interesting place to go for a 3hour wander at night - very easy to get lost though!)

Gillingham? Interesting? I really wouldn't say that .. it's dodgy all the time!

(Sorry for the off topicness of this post ...)