Oxford to Bristol Temple Meads Off-Peak Return

[SouthEastBuses]

The Oxford to Bristol Temple Meads Off Peak Return ticket has a route restriction that says as follows:

"Not valid for travel via (changing trains or passing through) Reading."

Does the not via Reading restriction apply at all times, or only on Monday to Fridays?

 

[JonathanH]

The Oxford to Bristol Temple Meads Off Peak Return ticket has a route restriction that says as follows:

"Not valid for travel via (changing trains or passing through) Reading."

Does the not via Reading restriction apply at all times, or only on Monday to Fridays?

All times. Why would it not apply at all times?

There is a Not via London fare that is intended to allow travel via Reading.

 

[SouthEastBuses]

All times. Why would it not apply at all times?

There is a Not via London fare that is intended to allow travel via Reading.

I thought ticket restrictions tend to be Monday-Fridays only, just like the time restrictions (e.g. not valid to depart on trains between a certain time, but restriction doesn't apply at weekends).

That said, I once bought a single from Gloucester to Oxford, also with the not via Reading restriction. However, I did change at Reading and didn't have a problem at all (although, this was on a Saturday).

 

[JonathanH]

I thought ticket restrictions tend to be Monday-Fridays only, just like the time restrictions (e.g. not valid to depart on trains between a certain time, but restriction doesn't apply at weekends).

Yes, time restrictions tend not to apply at weekends (although there are some examples of super-off-peak fares which do carry weekend restrictions). Route restrictions are a different matter - ie the basis on which the ticket is offered.

That said, I once bought a single from Gloucester to Oxford, also with the not via Reading restriction. However, I did change at Reading and didn't have a problem at all (although, this was on a Saturday).

When you say you didn't have a problem, was your ticket given more than a cursory glance between Reading and Didcot? I'd imagine that routeing may not be what the ticket examiner was looking for.

 

[SouthEastBuses]

Yes, time restrictions tend not to apply at weekends (although there are some examples of super-off-peak fares which do carry weekend restrictions). Route restrictions are a different matter - ie the basis on which the ticket is offered.


When you say you didn't have a problem, was your ticket given more than a cursory glance between Reading and Didcot? I'd imagine that routeing may not be what the ticket examiner was looking for.

My ticket was never checked on all trains I caught, that's why I didn't have a problem. Might have been a different story if I did actually get a ticket check either between Swindon and Reading, or between Reading and Oxford (my train didn't stop at Didcot, that's why I changed at Reading).

 

[Mcr Warrior]

I thought ticket restrictions tend to be Monday-Fridays only, just like the time restrictions (e.g. not valid to depart on trains between a certain time, but restriction doesn't apply at weekends).

Route restrictions normally apply 24/7/365.

That said, I once bought a single from Gloucester to Oxford, also with the not via Reading restriction. However, I did change at Reading and didn't have a problem at all (although, this was on a Saturday).

Gloucester->Oxford tickets are normally route "Any Permitted", aren't they?

 

[mangyiscute]

My ticket was never checked on all trains I caught, that's why I didn't have a problem. Might have been a different story if I did actually get a ticket check either between Swindon and Reading, or between Reading and Oxford (my train didn't stop at Didcot, that's why I changed at Reading).

Yeah if you had had the ticket checked, then you wouldve had a non-valid ticket - I expect if it was a genuine mistake you may have been let off but you never know what could happen regarding penalty fares. For the most part, especially when going to Bristol, its faster to change at Didcot anyway

 

[SouthEastBuses]

Yeah if you had had the ticket checked, then you wouldve had a non-valid ticket - I expect if it was a genuine mistake you may have been let off but you never know what could happen regarding penalty fares. For the most part, especially when going to Bristol, its faster to change at Didcot anyway

Penalty fares don't happen apparently, you just pay extra in order to allow to go via Reading.
@Hadders can explain more as he's qualified


I agree, definitely faster to change at Didcot, that occasion was a one-off because the train stopping at Didcot was cancelled and I wasn't going to wait an hour for the next one, so I just hopped on the next train changing at Reading, mistakenly also thinking that route restrictions work exactly like time restrictions, and therefore, thinking that the Not via Reading restriction wouldn't apply on weekends

 

[andylikestrain]

Remember going Bristol TM to Oxford once, there were engineering works near Swindon I think, so trains to Didcot & Reading were diverted via Westbury. I remember a guard telling me that my ticket wasn’t valid even though going via Reading was considerably quicker than the replacement bus on the normal route. No idea if this is/was correct though. Anyone know at all? (It was a walk up off peak day return).
Thanks

 

[JonathanH]

Remember going Bristol TM to Oxford once, there were engineering works near Swindon I think, so trains to Didcot & Reading were diverted via Westbury. I remember a guard telling me that my ticket wasn’t valid even though going via Reading was considerably quicker than the replacement bus on the normal route. No idea if this is/was correct though. Anyone know at all? (It was a walk up off peak day return).
Thanks

Unless an official easement is established the route restrictions continue to apply even that involves catching replacement road transport.

 

[mikeb42]

Remember going Bristol TM to Oxford once, there were engineering works near Swindon I think, so trains to Didcot & Reading were diverted via Westbury. I remember a guard telling me that my ticket wasn’t valid even though going via Reading was considerably quicker than the replacement bus on the normal route. No idea if this is/was correct though. Anyone know at all? (It was a walk up off peak day return).
Thanks

I clearly recall there was an easement that Not via Reading Bristol<->Oxford walkup tickets were valid via Reading when making this journey during all-weekend diversions via the Berks & Hants in January 22. Anticipating trouble, I had the easement notice to hand on my phone but nobody checked my ticket on outward or return legs anyway.

No evidence to back this up, but it therefore seems likely that this easement is meant to routinely be in effect in these circumstances. That said, this diversion happens all too often for a few trains on weekday nights and then if an equivalent easement is there, I've frustratingly failed to find it.

 

[andylikestrain]

I vaguely remember being told by the ticket office at Temple Meads that it was ok to go via Reading in this case, then got told off by the guard! It’s a good job that contradictory information is rare on the railways…

 

[Graham H]

That restriction was a pain back in the late 70's and 80's just after the HST were introduced as Didcot only had one westbound train per hour which alternated between Bristol and S Wales routes meaning Oxford to Bristol via Didcot was only possible every two hours although taking the S Wales one from Didcot and changing again at Swindon was possible but didnt seem to save much time Ticket office at Oxford even warned me I faced a long wait at Didcot but didnt suggest there was a via Reading higher fare.

 

[Benjwri]

I clearly recall there was an easement that Not via Reading Bristol<->Oxford walkup tickets were valid via Reading when making this journey during all-weekend diversions via the Berks & Hants in January 22. Anticipating trouble, I had the easement notice to hand on my phone but nobody checked my ticket on outward or return legs anyway.

Possibly that the easement was only for Oxford, but travelling to Goring and Streatley during those works the Bath ticket office definitely told me a not via Reading wasn’t valid, and made me pay for a not Via London ticket.