Travel by Operator Shown

[MPA]

I'm travelling from Sheffield to Manchester. EMR and TPE both run this route. I'm going to be buying an off peak return. If I buy from the ticket office they sell me a "any valid route" ticket. If I buy online from TPE I can only seem to get "by operator shown" ticket. I want the freedom to travel by either company. Is there a way to buy a ticket online that doesn't restrict me to one operator?

 

[Haywain]

I'm travelling from Sheffield to Manchester. EMR and TPE both run this route. I'm going to be buying an off peak return. If I buy from the ticket office they sell me a "any valid route" ticket. If I buy online from TPE I can only seem to get "by operator shown" ticket. I want the freedom to travel by either company. Is there a way to buy a ticket online that doesn't restrict me to one operator?

Just buy an Off Peak Return at £26.60 (£17.55 if you have a railcard) and that will be routed 'AnyPermitted'. There is no other ticket at that exact price. It may not be the cheapest ticket offered but it seems to be the one you want.

 

[Gaelan]

The TPE website is quite misleading here:

But I strongly suspect that this ticket, if purchased, will be valid on any other operator, as £25.40 is the "any permitted route" single price.

However, for piece of mind, it might be worth finding an operator with a better website - any GB train operator's website will sell you the same tickets. LNER's website does a good job of showing different ticket options, for example.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

I'm travelling from Sheffield to Manchester. EMR and TPE both run this route. I'm going to be buying an off peak return.

So does Northern. It's a slower journey, but might suit if you've just missed an EMR or TPE service. The fare that @Haywain has suggested is valid at or after 0830 (Mon-Fri) will also be valid for use on Northern trains. BTW, where in Manchester is your actual final destination?

 

[MPA]

So does Northern. It's a slower journey, but might suit if you've just missed an EMR or TPE service. The fare that @Haywain has suggested is valid at or after 0830 (Mon-Fri) will also be valid for use on Northern trains. BTW, where in Manchester is your actual final destination?

Piccadilly. I've just looked on the EMR website and as I click through it doesn't seem to restrict me to EMR (unlike TPE). I think I'll try and go ahead and buy the ticket through EMR and keep my fingers crossed that the ticket doesn't show "by operator shown" on it.

 

[Haywain]

I think I'll try and go ahead and buy the ticket through EMR and keep my fingers crossed that the ticket doesn't show "by operator shown" on it.

If it's a different price to those mentioned above it will have additional restrictions.

 

[MPA]

thanks for your replies everyone, very helpful