SWT changes restrictions dramatically reducing validity!

[embers25]

SWT have introduced a new UO restriction code to many off peak day and period return tickets

The UO code is valid Out after 0930 and back after 1000.

In the case of Exeter to East Croydon route Honiton Not London it was US which is arrive after 1000 and depart after 0900 (+0820 allowed)

That means before you could travel out using the 0641 now you can't travel till 1026. Return you could travel from Clapham on the 0827 now you can't travel till the 1027.

This UO code seems to be used for many fares from numerous SWT stations to stations between London and East Croydon.

They have also changed many other tickets to UU which is also more heavily restricted.

Apparently the May fare change is now worse than January. You can get around this change by buying tickets beyond East Croydon or splitting en route as by doing this you normally get the normal US or UT restriction codes. Does anyone know why have they targeted just these few stations with such draconian and COMPLETELY unpublicised additional travel restrictions?

 

[wibble]

It might be worse than January, but it's till better than it was in December 2010... UO covers journeys to/from stations in the Travelcard area where off peak is at 0930 or later. UO has an easement which allows travel on any SWT service to connect in with their eased trains (e.g. 0820 Waterloo to Exeter)

Not sure how to insert tables so have have summarised the validity for East Croydon to Exeter below:

December 2010: Depart 0930 or later in both directions
January 2011: Arrive London 1000 or later; depart at 0900 or later (plus easements)
May 2011: Arrive London 1000 or later; depart non-SWT stations at 0930 or later. Valid on any SWT service to connect in with eased trains.

This isn't that much different to a journey from East Croydon to Northampton:
Euston to Northampton: DN valid 0845 - 1645 and from 1845
East Croydon to Northampton: 4A valid after 0930 (no evening restriction)

 

[RJ]

This isn't that much different to a journey from East Croydon to Northampton:
Euston to Northampton: DN valid 0845 - 1645 and from 1845
East Croydon to Northampton: 4A valid after 0930 (no evening restriction)

It's a non loophole, because the CDS from East Croydon is dearer than the SDS from Euston. Cross London CD fares set by LM are (almost) always more dear than the SD fare from Euston.

 

[wibble]

It's a non loophole, because the CDS from East Croydon is dearer than the SDS from Euston. Cross London CD fares set by LM are (almost) always more dear than the SD fare from Euston.

Buying the SVR from East Croydon means you can bypass LM's evening restriction from London rather than buying an SDS to travel in the peak from Euston.

 

[island]

Buying the SVR from East Croydon means you can bypass LM's evening restriction from London rather than buying an SDS to travel in the peak from Euston.

It does, but if you want to travel from London to Northampton in the evening peak West Brompton may be a better originating point.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Word from within SWT HQ:

The code is erroneous on some systems for it is back-to-front from that implied. From Exeter to Croydon it may used out exactly as with an OP Day Return - that is, any train arriving London 1000 or later. The return is any train after 0930 from Croydon.

 

[embers25]

That makes more sense. Thanks for the clarification

 

[wibble]

It does, but if you want to travel from London to Northampton in the evening peak West Brompton may be a better originating point.

The point I was trying to make was that you could bypass the evening peak restriction from Euston if you bought a ticket originating from any inboundary rail station.

 

[island]

The point I was trying to make was that you could bypass the evening peak restriction from Euston if you bought a ticket originating from any inboundary rail station.

Fair. Boundary Zone X tickets work too if you have a Travelcard.