Trainline Advance Split Ticket with tight connection

[GlasRail]

I am travelling soon with elderly parents who are mobile but will need to take their time connecting trains.

I booked on the train line and it has issued my tickets as split tickets A - B - C. I need to change trains at location B and it's only 6 minutes to change trains which could involve using an underpass.

What would happen if I miss this connection? I know that normally with an advance ticket a missed connection would allow you to take the next service, but since the tickets are split would I be out of luck and on the hook for completely new tickets?

I've had a look, the way that the services work I can't book an earlier train to allow some buffer time. My second train always leaves about 6 minutes after the original train arrives.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Jun 2024 ==

Thanks for any help you can provide

 

[30907]

Which station?

If the split tickets have been issued, then they satisfy the minimum time allowed. If the first train is delayed, you will be allowed to take the next train with the same train company.

For the future, you could try using a site (this forum has one, end of ad.) which allows extended connection times. Alternatively, you may be able to get the second set of tickets changed for a small fee if you are still concerned.

 

[jfollows]

As long as the minimum connection time for the station you are changing at is 6 minutes or less, if you miss the connection you can take the next service with the same operator, split tickets do not alter this. If you booked the split tickets in one transaction then it will have checked the connection time to be valid anyway.

 

[GlasRail]

Which station?

If the split tickets have been issued, then they satisfy the minimum time allowed. If the first train is delayed, you will be allowed to take the next train with the same train company.

For the future, you could try using a site (this forum has one, end of ad.) which allows extended connection times. Alternatively, you may be able to get the second set of tickets changed for a small fee if you are still concerned.

that's really helpful, thank you.

Would this also apply if the first train was on time, but still missed the connection due to my parents requiring additional time (not much but just unable to run if it's at the other side of the station).

It's at Preston changing from Northern to Avanti

 

[ainsworth74]

Just for information next time you book you can get Trainsplit to allow additional time for any changes. If you tap "More Options" and scroll down you'll see an option to add extra change time. So next time you can ensure a more relaxed interchange!

 

[Watershed]

that's really helpful, thank you.

Would this also apply if the first train was on time, but still missed the connection due to my parents requiring additional time (not much but just unable to run if it's at the other side of the station).

It's at Preston changing from Northern to Avanti

The minimum connection time at Preston is 8 minutes. Are you sure that the connection is scheduled to be just 6 minutes? Perhaps you could tell us the date and time of the respective trains so we can check. I would be surprised if any retailer had sold tickets with a connection such as this (though it wouldn't be unheard of).

If you think your parents may be unable to make the change in 6 or 8 minutes, you may wish to book assistance for them. That way, if the connection is missed, the responsibility can safely be said to be out of their hands. 8 minutes should be plenty to change trains at Preston in my experience, even between opposite ends of the station. It's reasonably large station, but there is a footbridge at the northern end as well as an underpass at the southern end, so you shouldn't have to walk too far.

 

[jfollows]

It's at Preston changing from Northern to Avanti

Minimum connection time at Preston is 8 minutes?
Watershed has already made the point I was about to make …..

 

[GlasRail]

Sorry my mistake, 8 minute connection.

12.33 arrival from Liverpool, 12.40 departure to Glasgow

 

[jfollows]

12:41 to Glasgow I think …. 12:40 would make it 7 minutes!
Platform 1 to platform 3.

 

[Watershed]

Sorry my mistake, 8 minute connection.

12.33 arrival from Liverpool, 12.40 departure to Glasgow

Those trains are scheduled to use platforms 1 and 3 respectively; 8 minutes is more than sufficient for that change. If your parents use one of the front coaches of the train from Liverpool, those will stop near the footbridge. From there it can't be more than 50 yards to platform 3.

As I say, if you still have concerns then I'd suggest booking assistance. But personally speaking I would have no concerns over such a connection.

 

[GlasRail]

12:41 to Glasgow I think …. 12:40 would make it 7 minutes!
Platform 1 to platform 3.

You are correct! Sorry, It's been one of those days!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Jun 2024 ==

Thank you all for the advice - I haven't used Preston in a while and seem to remember it being fairly large so was a bit concerned but the consensus seems to be that 8 minutes shouldn't be an issue.

Although they wouldn't be able to make a made dash, my parents don't have any great mobility issues so will suggest we get on a front coach at Liverpool to be near to the footbridge.

Thanks for all the tips - really appreciate the advice.

 

[wilbers]

Not much use for this occasion, but if you make the same journey again in future there is the direct Transpennine service just over 30 minutes after the trains you have booked. Pros and cons to both options.

 

[class17]

If you are coming from Liverpool and your Avanti train is stopping at Wigan, could you change there? It should be the same platform.
Of course, this isn't according to your booked itinerary and if the reserved seat from Preston to Glasgow is reserved London to Preston (and or someone is sat in them), you would not be able use them until Preston.
Even if you do decide to stay on till Preston, and your train from Liverpool is running late, this may be an option, so as not to miss your Glasgow train.

I speak here from experience. I caught a late running train from Liverpool (after Wigan) and saw the Glasgow train pass us and due to a stop outside of Preston, I missed the Glasgow train. Nothing I could have done about it of course, but there were some passengers from Liverpool, who if they had changed at Wigan, they would have caught their Glasgow train.

 

[30907]

Those trains are scheduled to use platforms 1 and 3 respectively; 8 minutes is more than sufficient for that change. If your parents use one of the front coaches of the train from Liverpool, those will stop near the footbridge. From there it can't be more than 50 yards to platform 3.

I agree. Small point: I've always found the subway, which is nearer the Liverpool end, easier to use. And if the Avanti train switches platforms, it will only be to Platform 4 which is the other side of the same island platform.

 

[yorkie]

I am travelling soon with elderly parents who are mobile but will need to take their time connecting trains.

I booked on the train line and it has issued my tickets as split tickets A - B - C. I need to change trains at location B and it's only 6 minutes to change trains which could involve using an underpass.

What would happen if I miss this connection? I know that normally with an advance ticket a missed connection would allow you to take the next service, but since the tickets are split would I be out of luck and on the hook for completely new tickets?

I've had a look, the way that the services work I can't book an earlier train to allow some buffer time. My second train always leaves about 6 minutes after the original train arrives.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Jun 2024 ==

Thanks for any help you can provide

If the first train you take is delayed and this causes you to miss the connection, you are absolutely covered in the event of delays; this is regardless of whether or not you use one ticket, or a combination of tickets.

In future, you may wish to consider using our booking site; we offer the ability to add additional interchange time, as well as a seat selector (where applicable)