SWR West Of England Line Closure Warning

[embers25]

During the two week closure of the West of England Line between Yeovil and Salisbury at the end of November, SWR have just confirmed that Network Cards will not be valid on the direct services that are diverted via Westbury. So if you have a Network Card you will have to use the replacement bus service taking up to 2.5 hours longer than usual. So for example, you leave London at 1350 and won't arrive in Exeter until 1944 which is also 2 hours after the 1350 arrives!

 

[Coolzac]

Another fantastic example of our consumer friendly railway!

 

[DelW]

That seems very naughty. I could understand refusing Network Card discount to any stations which are on the diversion route but outwith the card's validity. But refusing to accept it to stations which are on the normal WoE line, just because the train has got there via a roundabout route, seems quite wrong.

 

[swt_passenger]

That seems very naughty. I could understand refusing Network Card discount to any stations which are on the diversion route but outwith the card's validity. But refusing to accept it to stations which are on the normal WoE line, just because the train has got there via a roundabout route, seems quite wrong.

It seems yet another example of SWR being unwilling to alter the routeing or fares data temporarily during planned diversions.

I’d expect on train staff will accept through tickets with the discount set, I’d also expect they probably have done every time it’s happened before. It’ll be journey planner based sales that apply the precise rules, I bet a normal TVM or ticket office will still sell it on the day.

 

[Silver Cobra]

I'm guessing that the Annual Gold Card will also be affected in the same way, as only the direct route between Salisbury and Exeter via Yeovil is within it's area of validity.