Season ticket routing

[metromuppet]

Good day-
A season ticket from Milton Keynes Central to Shrewsbury is the ticket in question- I am aware its Virgin who set this fare- Am I right in thinking its valid via Crewe and Birmingham? Would this permit access to the 1st class lounge as long as the season is a 1st class one?
Another question too- whilst playing with a few journey planners, I routed it via Leamington Spa to catch the Wrexham and Shropshire service- it still gave me a price- is that a valid route? (Milton keynes- coventry- leamington spa- shrewsbury) Seems slightly strange if so, but good news if that is the case! Not having access to any official routing guides makes it more hard to see whats legal and whats not!
Many thanks in advance for any assistance.

 

[clagmonster]

The routeing guide can be found on the ATOC website using the link below:
http://www.atoc.org/about-atoc/rail-settlement-plan/routeing-guide

If you ave any difficulties using it, ask and I'm sure someone will help.

 

[wintonian]

My knowledge of the routing guide is not the best but I'll have a go and others can correct me.

Milton Keynes Central is a member of Bletchley group and Shrewsbury is a routing point in it’s own right, so the fares check rule does not apply. (I hope)

The only maps listed for Bletchley and Shrewsbury are the combination of CA + TV.

Milton Keynes Central is not shown on map TV but as it is part of the Bletchley group then you can go any way between them within the group.

Maps CA + TV only seem to allow travel through Wolverhampton via Walsall or Smethwick, and Birmingham and Rugby either through Northampton or avoiding Northampton.

Someone please point out where I have gone wrong here as I am still getting to grips with the guide.

Edit: of course Direct trains or the shortest route (or within 3 miles of it) as defined by the National Rail timetable, are always permitted routes.

 

[metromuppet]

The routeing guide can be found on the ATOC website using the link below:
http://www.atoc.org/about-atoc/rail-settlement-plan/routeing-guide

If you ave any difficulties using it, ask and I'm sure someone will help.

Thanks for that- although it does seem rather complex and quite hard to get to grips with!

 

[clagmonster]

Wintonian, the only point in your post that I would disagree with is that as Milton Keynes is the origin station, doubling back within the Bletchley group is not permitted.

You could also go up the West Coast to Nuneaton on map TV then take up map CA there.

I can't see any valid routes via Crewe or Leamington, however you could use Wrexham & Shropshire from Tame Bridge to Shrewsbury or vice-versa.

 

[wintonian]

Wintonian, the only point in your post that I would disagree with is that as Milton Keynes is the origin station, doubling back within the Bletchley group is not permitted.

Ah ok I thought you could if the starting or destination were members of a group, but obviously I was wrong in thinking that.

You could also go up the West Coast to Nuneaton on map TV then take up map CA there.

Yes indeed you can - I missed that one, thanks.

 

[yorkie]

Ah ok I thought you could if the starting or destination were members of a group, but obviously I was wrong in thinking that.

There is a lengthy discussion about Group stations here (note post #3) although it could take time to read all the detail!

To summarise, you can double back within a group, but not if the origin or destination (or both!) are members of the group.

ie, Fenny Stratford - Leighton Buzzard is valid via MKC. But Bletchley - Leighton Buzzard is not.

 

[metromuppet]

One would asume a Milton Keynes to Crewe season is valid via the west midlands through New Street- but what about Nuneaten to Birmingham? Or is this a grey area?

 

[yorkie]

Permitted routes are determined in the Routeing Guide, available on the ATOC website.

http://www.atoc.org/about-atoc/rail-settlement-plan/routeing-guide

 

[philjo]

A weekly season Milton Keynes to Nantwich is £135.90 (std class), the same price as the "any permitted" season MKC to Crewe.
Not bad value (the anytime return fare is £134 for one return journey)

The EC journey planner is allowing a Milton Keynes-Nantwich journey via Crewe or Shrewsbury. (if you put via Water Orton it also gives times changing at Nuneaton & Birmingham NS)

Someone may be able to clarify this bit - As this is a season, I assume that you can use the trains that go non-stop Crewe-Shrewsbury (i.e. through Nantwich) with this ticket?