St Albans season ticket

[Cinnamon009]

Hi, I'm moving to St Albans in a couple of weeks from Oop North and will be commuting daily from St Albans city station into the centre of London. I will be working near Cavendish Square so easiest journey is St Albans city to St Pancras then tube to Oxford Circus.

I looked at the season tickets and after reading around I'm now confused. If I get the most expensive season ticket which states Zones 1-6 it also states as a warning that it may not apply to underground. If I got this ticket would I be able to do the most straightforward route of St A to St Pancras then tube to Oxford Circus.

If this doesn't cover underground travel what does?

If I chose the cheaper ticket which just says its valid to Thames Link stations I could walk from St Pancras. But I also read that St Pancras isn't a Thameslink station so now I'm wondering where this ticket would be valid to?

I thought it was fairly simple assuming the difference between the two season tickets was inclusion of underground travel but the more I read the more confused I get!

 

[swt_passenger]

The National Rail season ticket finder seems to put that general warning on every fare. (I thought it was just a London area oddity, but they provide the warning for Southampton to Portsmouth, and even Newcastle to Carlisle!) It's a hammer to crack a nut, and definitely overridden by the 1-6 travelcard.

In your example from St Albans it should really only be shown with the London Thameslink option.

From the north, St Pancras is definitely included in the 'London Thameslink' definition.

I think the usual problem you read about is only relevant to people trying to get to St Pancras from stations south of London, from where 'London Thameslink' is not available, and 'London Terminals' isn't valid. Don't worry about that...

 

[hairyhandedfool]

London Thameslink is the name used for London St. Pancras, Farringdon, City Thameslink, London Blackfriars, London Bridge and Elephant & Castle when travelling from stations between Bedford and West Hampstead (inclusive) on FCC (Thameslink) services, so a season ticket from St Albans will cover you to St. Pancras.

A Travelcard covers regular bus services, trains, London Underground, Docklands Light Railway, Croydon Tramlink and possibly a few other bits and pieces. It is valid to Oxford Circus, but if you can walk it, it does seem a bit pricey (for another idea on how to save money, there is another relevant thread you might want to look at).

 

[Mojo]

I used to live near Cavendish Sq and the walk from St Pancakes was about 20-25 Min. You could also consider an annual 'Boris bikes' subscription for £90, but I have no idea what the availability is like in the vicinity (possibly not very good if it's like most London Terminal stations in the morning). The ticket to 'London Thameslink' would not be valid on the Underground; you would need a Travelcard for that.

 

[maniacmartin]

St Albans to London Zones 1-6 is definitely valid on all National Rail, London Underground, London Overground, DLR and London buses in the London zones.*

St Albans to London Thameslink is valid as far as Elephant and Castle, but you can board and alight before then if you wish.

If you're moving from up north, and you are buying an annual, buy it after you have moved as season tickets for travel within the South East, issued at a station in the South East will be issued as a Gold Card, which gives you extra discounts off other services.

*except HS1, Heathrow Connect at the Heathrow end, and Heathrow Express.

 

[Cinnamon009]

Thanks everyone. That's really really helpful.

Just a quick question - if the expensive ticket is valid on the underground does that give me unlimited travel or only a return journey each day ie to Oxford Circus and back. Trying to weigh up the advantages of having that vs having the cheaper season ticket and then just using my Oyster card when I don't want to walk. But if it means I can nip around London if I need to it might be worth it.

I did look at the thread re the guy suing FCC but not sure if I have the nerve to wonder if they will refuse me entry to the St Albans train on a different station eason ticket. I'd have a guilty 'stop me' face every day!!

 

[LexyBoy]

The Travelcard gives you unlimited travel on the Tube and National Rail within Zones 1-6, all TfL buses and trams, and the DLR. Only Southeastern high speed services from St Pancras, Heathrow Express and Heathrow Connect past Hayes are not covered. Your season ticket is also of course valid to start/stop at any point between St Albans and London.

I did look at the thread re the guy suing FCC but not sure if I have the nerve to wonder if they will refuse me entry to the St Albans train on a different station eason ticket. I'd have a guilty 'stop me' face every day!!

If you're not happy with arguing your case most days, and probably being threatened with fines or prosecution, then it's not for you.

 

[bb21]

I did look at the thread re the guy suing FCC but not sure if I have the nerve to wonder if they will refuse me entry to the St Albans train on a different station eason ticket. I'd have a guilty 'stop me' face every day!!

Then don't use it. The amount of added hassle and stress is probably not worth it. For all we know, that guy in the report may well have too much free time on his hands. (Not saying that is definitely true.)

 

[GoByThameslink]

Then don't use it. The amount of added hassle and stress is probably not worth it. For all we know, that guy in the report may well have too much free time on his hands. (Not saying that is definitely true.)

The local papers (eg www.hertsad.co.uk/news/fcc_closes_rail_fare_loophole_after_sued_by_st_albans_commuter_1_2836807) are reporting that FCC have closed that loophole.

FCC are quoted as saying "Mr Myers uncovered a previously unknown historic routing guide error that harks back to the days of British Rail. Tickets from Watford North should be valid only via Watford Junction to Euston, not via St Albans, which is a six mile, 14 minute detour north east away from London followed by a 20 minute walk across town between St Albans Abbey and St Albans City to take one of our services into St Pancras International. The Association of Train Operating Companies has now closed this loophole on our behalf."