Oxford to Guildford Validity

[gembercannelle]

Is an off-peak return from Oxford to Guildford routed not via London valid via Basingstoke and Woking? I have been advised once or twice to take that route when Guildford - Reading line was shut, but I am wondering whether I need a special permission to use it every time?

 

[walkingsophie]

Is an off-peak return from Oxford to Guildford routed not via London valid via Basingstoke and Woking?

It doesn't seem valid either via the Routeing Guide or via the National Rail Route Planner

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Is an off-peak return from Oxford to Guildford routed not via London valid via Basingstoke and Woking? I have been advised once or twice to take that route when Guildford - Reading line was shut, but I am wondering whether I need a special permission to use it every time?

I feel as though -- tedious as it sounds -- were the North Downs line shut you'd be advised to take XC from Oxford to Basingstoke, SW to Woking, and SW to Guildford.

 

[JonathanH]

I feel as though -- tedious as it sounds -- were the North Downs line shut you'd be advised to take XC from Oxford to Basingstoke, SW to Woking, and SW to Guildford.

In disruption, yes, it is the obvious thing to do.

 

[gembercannelle]

In disruption, yes, it is the obvious thing to do.

So do I need to ask for an excess?... and what do I do if it is late and the ticket office happens to be closed?...

 

[JonathanH]

So do I need to ask for an excess?... and what do I do if it is late and the ticket office happens to be closed?...

No. In the instance of the Reading to Guildford line being shut and GWR being unable to provide a service, a passenger may well be directed to go via Woking and Basingstoke without further payment. Reading and Guildford are both staffed so the staff would give direction as to when this is necessary. However, such disruption is relatively unusual. It happened to me about five times in twelve years commuting on the route.

 

[Crithylum]

During disruption/engineering it could arguably be valid due to being the shortest route.