Southern DaySave validity

[class377man]

I'm hoping to use a Southern DaySave ticket on the new route to Milton Keynes, but according to this they're only valid to Watford Junction.

Have Southern not updated the map yet, or am I going to have to pay the fare from Watford to MK on top of the DaySave?

 

[yorkie]

Looks like they have not updated the map yet. It is claimed to be valid on "all" Southern services, and someone enquired and was told this was the case, someone used one from MKC without any problems (this cropped up on another topic recently)

 

[class377man]

Excellent, thanks a lot

In fact, I've just noticed that map still says King's Cross Thameslink, so I'll not expect an update anytime soon

 

[87015]

I've used plenty north of Watford. Even had one accepted on LM!

Also done some leaps on the 442s south of Gatwick in the evenings which may or may not be valid but didn't see a gripper so didn't find out whether it was actually allowed.

 

[Pumbaa]

I've used plenty north of Watford. Even had one accepted on LM!

Also done some leaps on the 442s south of Gatwick in the evenings which may or may not be valid but didn't see a gripper so didn't find out whether it was actually allowed.

I've used it Watford > Hemel late at night, when you get the Southern services that terminate at Watford instead of MK. Similarly though, I've been prevented boarding one of the Gatwick Express through runs to Brighton. Guy was decent, explained whilst it's included in the South Central franchise, the DaySave/Downlander tickets are valid for Southern branded services only.

 

[metrocammel]

I've been prevented boarding one of the Gatwick Express through runs to Brighton. Guy was decent, explained whilst it's included in the South Central franchise, the DaySave/Downlander tickets are valid for Southern branded services only.

Is that actually true or not? I was under the impression that, other than the branding, there was no difference between Southern / Gat Ex now. Most, if not all other tickets on that route are 'inter-available' (ie, no rte 'Not Gatwick Express), so I wonder why a ticket ticket that claims to be valid on 'all' Southern services is being restricted?

 

[MCR247]

Day saves arent valid on GatEx when I rang up around Christmas!

 

[glynn80]

On reading the Southern Website, it states the ticket is available-

"for unlimited travel on Southern services on the date shown on the ticket...DaySave is only valid on the Southern network...Please note that you cannot use the services of any other Train Operator with this ticket."

Now, all Gatwick Express services are operated under the Southern TOC as the Gatwick Express franchise ended in June 2008, the separate branding however is still kept this in a similar fashion to the Stansted Express operation within the Greater Anglia franchise. So I can find nothing prohibiting anybody from using a Daysave on Gatwick Express.

 

[MCR247]

On reading the Southern Website, it states the ticket is available-

"for unlimited travel on Southern services on the date shown on the ticket...DaySave is only valid on the Southern network...Please note that you cannot use the services of any other Train Operator with this ticket."

Now, all Gatwick Express services are operated under the Southern TOC as the Gatwick Express franchise ended in June 2008, the separate branding however is still kept this in a similar fashion to the Stansted Express operation within the Greater Anglia franchise. So I can find nothing prohibiting anybody from using a Daysave on Gatwick Express.

I rang them up at Christmas and they said they were looking into but you cant use it on GatEx
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Also NR classes southern and GatEx different companies. They also class NXEA and Stanstead Express different TOCs. On NR it says its only valid on Southern. but Watford nor MK or Ashford are on the stations list and Southern serve those station. I understand the MK might not have been updated but Ashford, havent they served there a a while with 171s. :???:

 

[glynn80]

I rang them up at Christmas and they said they were looking into but you cant use it on GatEx

Well they need to advertise that, it is not in any of the internal railway manuals or their website. It could have been that the operative on the telephone just answered when in reality they didn't know. With the wording on the website there is no way they could refuse travel to someone. It says valid on "Southern services" and Gatwick Express services are Southern services.

 

[yorkie]

They should simply state it's not valid on Gatwick Express services between Victoria and Gatwick.

It seems daft to restrict it south of Gatwick on trains which are extended Gatwick Express trains running in place of the previous Southern trains at the request of the DfT.

Otherwise you can be stranded in Gatwick for quite a while with only FCC or Gat Ex trains (unless you go via Hove or Lewes, I suppose)

 

[Mcr Warrior]

:roll: I rest my case, m'lud.

DaySave tickets are only valid on trains operated by Southern.

Gatwick Express is operated by Southern.

 

[yorkie]

Good point!

I'm sure they don't intend it to be banned south of Gatwick, but do intend it to be banned on the Victoria-Gatwick part, but the current wording is ambiguous and I think if someone printed off that quote on the Gatwick Express website and presented it if any guard queried it, they would have a pretty sound case.

 

[spoony]

a quick question please, can I use a Southern daysave to Portsmouth. Someone Ive had a discussion with on another forum reckonns the Southern network stops at Warblington and that I need a single from there onto Portsmouth

 

[bangor-toad]

a quick question please, can I use a Southern daysave to Portsmouth. Someone Ive had a discussion with on another forum reckonns the Southern network stops at Warblington and that I need a single from there onto Portsmouth

Hi there,
The other person is wrong. If you're on a Southern train then you can use a Daysave ticket to go anywhere that train is going. I've used Daysave tickets to/from Portsmouth, Southampton, London and Milton Keynes. Marvellous ticket, GBP10 off peak or GBP30 peak is great value.

What you can't do is use a Southern Daysave ticket on the services between Portsmouth and Havant/Southampton that are operated by South West Trains. Maybe that's what the other person was referring to?
Cheers,
Jason

 

[yorkie]

a quick question please, can I use a Southern daysave to Portsmouth. Someone Ive had a discussion with on another forum reckonns the Southern network stops at Warblington and that I need a single from there onto Portsmouth

Yes, you can use a Daysave on Southern services to Portsmouth as Southern operate to Portsmouth, they do not terminate at Warblington (I've never heard of Warblington! what a strange name for a place)

 

[clagmonster]

Valid to Portsmouth, as long as you travel on Southern services via Gatwick.

 

[paul1609]

Yes, you can use a Daysave on Southern services to Portsmouth as Southern operate to Portsmouth, they do not terminate at Warblington (I've never heard of Warblington! what a strange name for a place)

Warblington is one of those odd stations. its an unmanned concrete ramp in a suburb of Havant. Its mostly famous for the unruly schoolchildren that attend the local comprehensive school and are its main customers.

In terms of ticketing its an oddity being 1 of only 2 southern stations in Hampshire. It has 2 fares for journeys to London route Hassocks/ Horsham and also route any permitted which allows journeys via Havant in to Waterloo. Unfortunately for SWT both flows are owned by Southern. A Off peak day return route any permitted from Warblinton is actually about £1 cheaper than a super off peak return from Havant and about a £5 cheaper than a off peak day return from Havant. Needless to say its become very popular with Havant customers

 

[MCR247]

never mind didnt read post properly

 

[Pumbaa]

Emailed Southern and got this response:

Dear Mr

Thank you for your Webform.

I can inform you that the DaySave ticket and Downlander tickets are not valid on the Gatwick Express, they are only valid on Southern services. In regards to the 09:13 Milton Keynes service, even though it is an off-peak service - these tickets would not be valid as they are not valid for use until after 10am.

I trust this information clarifies your query.


Regards

Still ambiguous though as to whether they're valid Gatwick - Brighton though...

 

[paul1609]

Don't think it ambiguous they are valid Gatwick to Brighton on Southern services but not Gatwick Express Services. These are clearly advertised as such on PIS etc.

 

[glynn80]

Don't think it ambiguous they are valid Gatwick to Brighton on Southern services but not Gatwick Express Services. These are clearly advertised as such on PIS etc.

It is ambiguous because Gatwick Express is no longer a separate franchise, the Daysave according to their website is only valid on services operated by Southern and on the Gatwick Express website it states that Gatwick Express services are in fact run by Southern.

Most logical people would therefore conclude that the Daysave was valid on Gatwick Express...