Ticket to London Underground Zone 1 Validity on London Buses

[Full Standing]

Hi, first post here. I started reading this forum when I moved to the UK last October, and prior to that I already observed discussions on the German ICE-Treff forum.

As part of a split ticket journey from Oxford to Glasgow Queen St bought on the forum's site, I got an anytime day single from Slough to London Underground Zone 1, with a 16-25 railcard discount. In London, I needed to transfer from Paddington to King's X, and I was wondering whether I could use this ticket on the bus as well.

I asked the GWR guard as he checked my ticket, and he said yes (but he seemed unsure whether that's really correct). Another passenger also heard my question and also confirmed that the ticket would be valid on the bus. But just to be sure, I also asked LU staff at the Paddington LU gateline. They were unsure as well and told me that the ticket would not be valid on the bus. In the end I used the tube.

So, who is in the right here? I can't find anything online unfortunately. Many thanks!

 

[Hadders]

Welcome to the forum!

Unfortunately the ticket is only valid on the Undergorund and DLR. Staff working in London really should know something so simple...

The easiest (and fastest way) from Paddington to Kings Cross is to get the Hammersmith & City Line or Circle Line. There are two underground stations at Paddington - you want the one near the entrance to the canal (near Sheldon Square), not the one at the front of the station.

Other ways you can make the journey:

Bakerloo Line to Oxford Circus then Victoria Line
Bakerloo Line to Baker Street then Circle/H&C/Met
Elizabeth Line to Farringdon then either Thameslink or Circle/H&C/Met
You could even walk to Lancester Gate and take the Central Line to Oxford Circus and change to the Victoria Line

Paddington to Kings Cross is getting harder to do by bus as the direct 205 route is about to be diverted to Marble Arch meaning that a journey from Paddington to Kings Cross will require a change en-route. I think this is effective from next week.

 

[Full Standing]

Thank you so much for this helpful advice, @Hadders. This is greatly appreciated.

In the end, I took the Bakerloo Line to Oxford Circus and then the Victoria Line. I used it as opportunity to see the desperate condition of the 1972 stock myself (see https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...rground-trains-graffiti-and-disrepair.275777/).

 

[kacper]

It's not allowed but London bus drivers accept anything that even looks like it would be valid

 

[Hadders]

Thank you so much for this helpful advice, @Hadders. This is greatly appreciated.

In the end, I took the Bakerloo Line to Oxford Circus and then the Victoria Line. I used it as opportunity to see the desperate condition of the 1972 stock myself (see https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...rground-trains-graffiti-and-disrepair.275777/).

The Bakerloo is in a bad place at the moment, although if you get an un vandalised car it does have a heritage feel.

 

[Full Standing]

It's not allowed but London bus drivers accept anything that even looks like it would be valid

That may work, yes. But what would happen if a team of RPIs joins en route? Wouldn't I be in significant trouble then, with potential legal repercussions? I may however be a bit biased by the threads in the Disputes & Prosecutions sub-forum.

The Bakerloo is in a bad place at the moment, although if you get an un vandalised car it does have a heritage feel.

You're absolutely right, but unfortunately I got a vandalised car... And anyways, they are way to loud in the tunnels for a fun ride. But it would indeed be nice to ride an unvandalised car on the northern section outside the tunnels.

 

[kacper]

But what would happen if a team of RPIs joins en route? Wouldn't I be in significant trouble then, with potential legal repercussions? I may however be a bit biased by the threads in the Disputes & Prosecutions sub-forum.

Yes you would so I wouldn't advise it