Rover validity advice during FGW diverts please?

[spark001uk]

Hi,
I quite often buy rovers on FGW as they're generally good value. However as we know, on 27/28 Dec they're diverting some services to Marylebone, and some to Waterloo. Now, what I sometimes do, is buy an Oxford rover (valid from Banbury down to Reading and also cotswold line), and also a Thames branches one (valid anywhere between Reading and Paddington), and I use them both together, one of the reasons being I can go from Oxford right to Pad.
So my query is, what routes am I really allowed on? Last time, when they had the blockade at Reading, I used them to go from Oxford to Pad (via Banbury and Northolt) and they allowed me that. So can I use them on the Oxford to Marylebone run? And how about the other run, from Reading to Waterloo?

I'd quite like something definitive, as last time I asked an RPI and they said yes they would allow it, because it's not my fault I couldn't go the usual route, but someone else I asked said no.

 

[PermitToTravel]

I think strictly speaking with rovers you need to keep to the routes on the map unless you're told otherwise, but I'd love to be wrong

 

[Starmill]

I think the honest answer is: nobody knows.

Normally when trains are diverted the principle is that tickets that would have been valid on the original route will be valid on the diverted trains. So London - Oxford tickets are valid tomorrow on through trains via Banbury.

I could not answer your question for certain, but when there are diversions in place you can expect that there is additional validity on the diversionary routes to what might otherwise be the case.

 

[NSEFAN]

I think that in this case the Thames branches rover would not be valid between reading and marylebone, as there is no direct train doing this journey. It might however be valid for journeys between reading and Waterloo on the diverted HSTs, although I'm not sure that you could break your journey at intermediate stations.

 

[spark001uk]

True. Tho my argument is it's not my fault I can't complete the journey as expected without significant delay. I think it's just going to be the case of ask each guard for a yes or no, after all it's ultimately up to them if I get on!

 

[bkhtele]

I would expect it would be allowed, you could ask the train manager before you board, they are a friendly lot!

 

[spark001uk]

It's OK, we were fine on both routes, I found that atoc had made two temporary easements, which allowed for the two routes mentioned. (easement 700586 & 587). Had a good day, looks like quite a few had the same idea as some of the trains were loaded with fans!

 

[TOCDriver]

They are valid as long as your destination and departure point are within the rover boundaries.