Threading through the system

[JBuchananGB]

On a good day a trip from Stafford to High Wycombe can be done in 2h30m with one change of trains at Banbury. Last Sunday 9 February I got a call from my daughter whose friend had stayed over at Stafford, and was planning to make the Stafford to High Wycombe journey home. She had received a text message from CrossCountry that the intended train for Stafford to Banbury at 10.26 was cancelled, and that she could opt to travel one train earlier or later. But the 9.26 seemed to be cancelled also. The itinerary starting with the 10.26 would anyway have taken 3h58m, with arrival at High Wycombe 14.24.
I was able to discover that by taking the 10.26 as planned (which was not cancelled, but terminating at Birmingham) then walking from New Street to Moor Street, the passenger could catch a Chiltern train (11.37) to Banbury. From there a bus to Bicester Village, followed by a train to High Wycombe, arriving on schedule at 14.24.
The passenger managed to achieve this revised itinerary, which I consider a triumph.

 

[30907]

I was able to discover that by taking the 10.26 as planned (which was not cancelled, but terminating at Birmingham) then walking from New Street to Moor Street, the passenger could catch a Chiltern train (11.37) to Banbury. From there a bus to Bicester Village, followed by a train to High Wycombe, arriving on schedule at 14.24.
The passenger managed to achieve this revised itinerary, which I consider a triumph.

Didn't think New St to Moor St in 30min was that difficult - unless you've never done it before.

 

[The exile]

On a good day a trip from Stafford to High Wycombe can be done in 2h30m with one change of trains at Banbury. Last Sunday 9 February I got a call from my daughter whose friend had stayed over at Stafford, and was planning to make the Stafford to High Wycombe journey home. She had received a text message from CrossCountry that the intended train for Stafford to Banbury at 10.26 was cancelled, and that she could opt to travel one train earlier or later. But the 9.26 seemed to be cancelled also. The itinerary starting with the 10.26 would anyway have taken 3h58m, with arrival at High Wycombe 14.24.
I was able to discover that by taking the 10.26 as planned (which was not cancelled, but terminating at Birmingham) then walking from New Street to Moor Street, the passenger could catch a Chiltern train (11.37) to Banbury. From there a bus to Bicester Village, followed by a train to High Wycombe, arriving on schedule at 14.24.
The passenger managed to achieve this revised itinerary, which I consider a triumph.

That’s very poor information from XC - any message giving a part-cancellation should provide a full alternative itinerary. They are after all still responsible for getting the passenger to the destination they’ve booked a ticket for.

 

[JBuchananGB]

Didn't think New St to Moor St in 30min was that difficult

My daughter had done that change before so was able to give her friend good advice. A successful journey in the face of various disruptions from normality.