Split Season Ticket Question

[Andytravel]

Apologies for any cross posting on this one but as I'm poised to give GWR a substantial amount of money I would appreciate advice as to whether what I've gleaned from the websites and regs is correct.....

I'll be commuting from Bath Spa to Reading and am looking at an annual season ticket. The Bath to Reading ticket is £7852 but if I get Bath to Didcot (£4528) and Didcot to Reading (£1868) season tickets the saving is £1456. All the trains between Bath and Reading go through Didcot, although not all stop there. My questions are:

1. Can I buy 2 season tickets in the way outlined above?
2. If so, must I make sure I am on trains actually stopping at Didcot (it's obviously a recognised route but I don't know how officious the train managers can be about this)?
3. Can I just buy both season tickets in one visit to Bath station or am I likely to be turned away in disgrace?!

Any advice from seasoned travellers greatly appreciated

 

[yorkie]

1) Yes you can
2) No need for the train to call at Didcot, under the current conditions of travel, but some Guards might not like you doing it.
3) Yes you can. They might not be happy about selling it though

 

[ForTheLoveOf]

Apologies for any cross posting on this one but as I'm poised to give GWR a substantial amount of money I would appreciate advice as to whether what I've gleaned from the websites and regs is correct.....

I'll be commuting from Bath Spa to Reading and am looking at an annual season ticket. The Bath to Reading ticket is £7852 but if I get Bath to Didcot (£4528) and Didcot to Reading (£1868) season tickets the saving is £1456. All the trains between Bath and Reading go through Didcot, although not all stop there. My questions are:

1. Can I buy 2 season tickets in the way outlined above?
2. If so, must I make sure I am on trains actually stopping at Didcot (it's obviously a recognised route but I don't know how officious the train managers can be about this)?
3. Can I just buy both season tickets in one visit to Bath station or am I likely to be turned away in disgrace?!

Any advice from seasoned travellers greatly appreciated

Though it is entirely valid, it might be easier to buy the tickets online (yes, you can buy multi-thousand pound tickets online nowadays!) as then there can be no awkward questions asked about why you're doing this - or outright refusals as some ticket offices would do.

Buying online will also enable you to earn a good amount of Nectar points (if you care about those) if bought through the correct site! Be aware, however, that you can only get a season ticket refund from the same retailer you buy from (in person or online), so consider this if there is any chance you might need this later. Also, many ticket offices will be difficult about tickets issued by a different train company for getting changeovers (even though they are obliged to change it over if they provide trains along any permitted route for your current ticket).

 

[MotCO]

Also be aware that some online sites charge fees - on a season ticket this could be expensive.

 

[yorkie]

Also be aware that some online sites charge fees - on a season ticket this could be expensive.

Trainline don't charge a booking fee for seasons but do charge £7.50 for special delivery. I don't think it would be sensible to have a season ticket delivered by regular post, to be fair.

 

[fizzwheel]

3. Can I just buy both season tickets in one visit to Bath station or am I likely to be turned away in disgrace?!

If you are unable to purchase at Bath, then I would suggest trying the ticket office at Reading, I've been buying split season tickets from the ticket office there for the last two years, never had a problem purchasing what I wanted.