Preston - Milton Keynes

[afyutr]

Hello all,

I'm after a bit of advice for my wife who will soon be undertaking a weekly commute to Milton Keynes (MKC) from Preston (PRE) (out Mon am, back Fri pm). She has driven similar commutes in the past but is keen to avoid the M6 however possible. We're working on the fact that a return car journey would cost about £60, so even though a train would remove some of the pain of a drive, it has to be financially workable. Arrival for an early start on Mon or staying for 5pm on the Friday is not essential.

At the moment I have the following; splits etc don't really seem to save much here and not changing would be preferable. The main bit of advice I need is on the SVR at £72.60:

- I understand the first train out of Preston would be 0817 to arrive MKC at 1058. If she wanted to go any earlier she would need an Anytime (SOR/SOS) ticket. Is this right?

- If so, she may as well buy an SOS at £114.50 and get an SVH for the return leg (see below) as returns appear to be exactly double the single on this route.

- Coming back the restriction code (2C) talks about no train departing Euston 1500-1845, however itineraries are offered on all trains through the afternoon from MKC towards Preston when attempting to purchase a SVR. Does that code therefore only apply if you actually board at Euston, and could she catch any train back with a SVR (or a SVH)?

- As an aside, why the frig is a seven day season £1 cheaper than an anytime return?

Any advice on the above or any further magic for this route would be much appreciated.

Cheers.

 

[Bletchleyite]

- If so, she may as well buy an SOS at £114.50 and get an SVH for the return leg (see below) as returns appear to be exactly double the single on this route.

The SVH is indeed half a SVR but remember that the only way to obtain one is to book it in advance on a Trainline site (use VT's as unlike Trainline proper there are no fees), even though it is a ticket valid for travel on any off-peak train in that day.

- Coming back the restriction code (2C) talks about no train departing Euston 1500-1845, however itineraries are offered on all trains through the afternoon from MKC towards Preston when attempting to purchase a SVR. Does that code therefore only apply if you actually board at Euston, and could she catch any train back with a SVR (or a SVH)?

Restrictions are by a combination of ticket and train, so as long as the ticket she has is MKC-PRE there are indeed no evening restrictions. If she had a EUS-PRE ticket the restrictions would apply.

VT are not, by the terms of their franchise agreement, allowed to impose northbound evening peak restrictions from MKC, which is why there aren't any. They did apply some a while ago but were caught and they were removed again.

So yes, this is valid. And IME it is properly known by staff, she won't get an argument.

- As an aside, why the frig is a seven day season £1 cheaper than an anytime return?

Because I guess one was increased and the other wasn't. I doubt it causes many to be sold, because you'd have to faff getting a photocard if you didn't have one. I wonder do any staff advise it as cheapest, though?

Neil

 

[cool110]

An important thing to remember is that SVHs are only intended for those buying an advance in the other direction, although the Virgin website will sell one with any other ticket.

The relevant part of the 2C restriction for this restriction is not arriving at MKC after 06:38 and before 10:48 on the outward and not departing MKC after 04:29 and before 09:51, so there is no evening peak.

 

[Bletchleyite]

An important thing to remember is that SVHs are only intended for those buying an advance in the other direction, although the Virgin website will sell one with any other ticket.

That was the original concept but it's been implemented as OK when bought with any other single ticket since day one so if that was wrong it'd have been "fixed" by now.

Neil

 

[30907]

Hello all,

- If so, she may as well buy an SOS at £114.50 and get an SVH for the return leg (see below) as returns appear to be exactly double the single on this route.

Assuming the weekly commute is a definite, it would be worth checking the price of an Advance even at short notice, and even a First Advance.

But ANYTHING rather than the M6...

 

[afyutr]

Thanks all - clarifies that restriction and the SVH well. She will absolutely look for advances but they already look fairly scarce. It's only for the next few months. I think as long as the mon am late start is ok the SVR will be the winner. I completely forgot she has a railcard as well so definitely worth it over the M6.

 

[bb21]

Thanks all - clarifies that restriction and the SVH well. She will absolutely look for advances but they already look fairly scarce. It's only for the next few months. I think as long as the mon am late start is ok the SVR will be the winner. I completely forgot she has a railcard as well so definitely worth it over the M6.

If she has a Railcard then the SVR will be valid on all trains. Which Railcard does she have?

 

[afyutr]

HM Forces. Not on the mon morning peak ones?

 

[bb21]

HM Forces Railcard is absolutely fine.

Holders of Off-Peak ticket types SVS/SVR, which are discounted using 16-25, Senior, Disabled Persons, HM Forces and Family & Friends Railcards and Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card, can travel on Virgin Train services at any time, provided that all travel is on Virgin Trains services only. This easement does not apply for journeys wholly between Milton Keynes Central/Northampton and London Euston in either direction.

 

[30907]

Just to emphasise that travel must be on VT, as bb21's NFM quotation says.