Preston to Blackpool - Some help...

[afyutr]

I have just search for what I thought was a nice simple journey this weekend and NRE has confused me. Details:

4 people, 2 railcards (HMF).
Preston to Blackpool North, out Sat at around 10am, back Sun around 11am.
No preference for any train or class of travel.

It only offers first class travel for return tickets. Why? I guess only for certain trains as they're the TPE ones? But where's the normal return tickets?

Any advice on what stupid mistake I've made would be gratefully received...

 

[30907]

For shorter journeys at least in the NW there are only day single and return fares not longer period ones. It's not the only part of the country - London led the way many years ago.

You need to use separate tickets out and back.

Why TPE offer a TPE only First Return I don't know, but as they are the minority operator I suspect it's because they think it will make them a bit of money. Northern don't have first class anyway.

 

[dzug2]

Only day returns seem to be offered in standard class. As to why - pass, but it's the same in much of the London area

 

[afyutr]

Thanks - might just go FC on the TPE ones then! Can't believe a FC return on a TPE train costs less than a "return" on a Northern Rail dust bucket...

 

[extendedpaul]

Expect a pretty horrible journey that time of day towards Blackpool. Tried it last year with my teenagers but never again. Like the worst rush hour crush with added expletives and could even smell fag smoke. The Pleasure Beach has a cheap deal over Easter so if it's decent weather the trains are likely to be rammed.

We let one train go but the next was even worse.

The bus takes a lot longer but worth considering.

 

[afyutr]

Thanks for the advice. Will see what the prevailing wind is and maybe take the auto.

 

[Agent_c]

Expect a pretty horrible journey that time of day towards Blackpool. Tried it last year with my teenagers but never again. Like the worst rush hour crush with added expletives and could even smell fag smoke. The Pleasure Beach has a cheap deal over Easter so if it's decent weather the trains are likely to be rammed.

We let one train go but the next was even worse.

The bus takes a lot longer but worth considering.

If you're going to the pleasure beach, take the Blackpool South line and get off at PB

 

[Starmill]

TPE really shouldn't be allowed to price First Class tickets like that - it's grabbing revenue and stymies development of the market. Basically they don't want to share any First Class revenue because they know that you only buy a First Class ticket and go on Northern because either you're a complete idiot or you've missed the train.

The revenue allocation system doesn't take account of that though, so instead they remove the passenger's flexibility to get their bigger slice of the pie. It gets better - if you buy a TPE Only First Class and then miss the train, you must purchase a brand new ticket to get the next one (if it's not a TPE, obviously) - you can't excess it. And that is for no reason at all other than because they know they can get away with exploiting you like that.

 

[snail]

The revenue allocation system doesn't take account of that though, so instead they remove the passenger's flexibility to get their bigger slice of the pie.

That doesn't make sense. How are TPE removing flexibility by offering a return ticket when the only other option is two singles?

As pointed out by 30907 most shorter journeys from Preston are priced as day returns or singles only. I know Chorley, Lancaster and Wigan all have the same arrangements but without the option of a 1st return for a reasonable price.

 

[afyutr]

Why oh why can't they just make it simple for the consumer... We'll probably just drive, it'll be a lot cheaper for four of us after the bus etc is added on. I've seen those platforms (1/2) on a holiday weekend at Preston now I think about it and would rather get there quicker and in more comfort.

 

[LeylandLen]

Yes I get similar results to initial post, that is Preston - Blackpool Sat 4th about 10 am returning next day about 11 am, as a return trip with one inquiry on NR website. Cant understand it though. However doing two separate inquiries gives a single with (senior) railcard of £5.10 Single each way , giving return of £10.20.,so at least £40.80 return for 4 adults with railcards so even with car parking charges it will be much cheaper by car if you keep to speed limit !!

 

[Starmill]

I don't quite understand the nature of the query.

Fares available from Preston to Blackpool North are, full price:

First Class Anytime Day Return, Any Permitted - £19.80
First Class Anytime Return, TPE Only - £14.90

First Class Anytime Day Single, Any Permitted - £9.90

Standard Class Anytime Day Return, Any Permitted - £8.60

Standard Class Anytime Day Single, Any Permitted - £7.70

 

[TrainfanBen]

The bus takes a lot longer but worth considering.

Avoid stagecoach 68, long boring route, poor value (Approx £7 for a single). The 61 is seemingly quicker, but probably just the same cost.

Seems to me that Lancashire County council are stingy in providing subsidy for public transport, that and Stagecoach/Northern Rail are silly.

 

[Starmill]

Might I suggest four of those First Class Anytime Returns on TPE ONLY? Just make sure you take a TPE train, they are valid at any time of day to return within one month. You can book online and make seat reservations - just make sure you don't try to use the ticket on a Northern or Virgin Trains service. Being in First should alleviate the crowding, and it'll be quicker and definitely more comfortable than the bus.

Alternative is 4 standard singles each way on both days.

 

[Merseysider]

Might I suggest four of those First Class Anytime Returns on TPE ONLY? Just make sure you take a TPE train, they are valid at any time of day to return within one month. You can book online and make seat reservations - just make sure you don't try to use the ticket on a Northern or Virgin Trains service. Being in First should alleviate the crowding, and it'll be quicker and definitely more comfortable than the bus.

Alternative is 4 standard singles each way on both days.

Which is more expensive! The TPE Only 1st return is quite good value.
There's a chance you'll get complimentary drinks (non-alcoholic) and snacks but can't be guaranteed as 1st class catering tends to shut up shop towards the end of the route.

 

[Starmill]

I don't think I have ever seen a host travel beyond Preston on a Blackpool / Lakes service! Wouldn't count on it!

 

[afyutr]

starmill, the problem I came across is that there are no Standard non-Day returns for the route, only Firsts, which threw me a bit. It's therefore cheaper to travel first class if not returning on the same day than standard, given you stick to TPE. That just seemed odd to me and had me wondering what was wrong with NRE.

I have a vague understanding of tickets and it makes sense once pointed out on here; someone getting that result back with no knowledge of the system (let's say, a member of the general public) would probably just be confused.

 

[LeylandLen]

I basically got a similar reply to the original query. I think the problem was the phrase ' No Fares Available' which is just silly !! In my query , going Preston to Blackpool NORTH tomorrow ( Bank Holiday) and returning 10.00 am Tuesday , it gives a First class fare of £14.90 anytime return as ONLY ticket available, yet if you state you are going to Blackpool ( no suffix ) then it does give cheapest fare of £7.70 anytime single to Blackpool N or £7.10 to Blackpool South. ( deduct 33.3% for railcard). Of course journey can be free by bus if you , like me , qualify for a Bus Pass!!!!!. I prefer the TPE service, but will try the Stagecoach BUS if the weather stays good here in North West .

 

[Starmill]

starmill, the problem I came across is that there are no Standard non-Day returns for the route, only Firsts, which threw me a bit. It's therefore cheaper to travel first class if not returning on the same day than standard, given you stick to TPE. That just seemed odd to me and had me wondering what was wrong with NRE.

You're right about the strangeness of it, but that is an accurate summary of the situation. Generally TOCs don't like to offer Period returns for short distances (Grand Central and some wild cards great exceptions!), as they're less likely to be needed especially where there is frequent service as in the case of Blackpool North, and also because people might try to reuse them if they're unlikely to get checked.

TPE have kept that policy here, but deviated from it for their own 'TPE ONLY' ticket, for reasons as I said before of trying to net themselves more revenue.

This is true elsewhere. Bolton to Manchester Airport is a great example - a Standard Class Anytime Return is available... but the First Class one is cheaper!