Travelling Short Advice

[littletorelate]

Hi All. This travelling short question has probably been answered many times before, but I couldn't see anything exactly similar...

I want to travel short on an EC Inverness -> York Web Advance ticket, getting off at Newcastle instead. Obviously I could do this legally by travelling to York and then doubling back on a York -> Newcastle single ticket. I'm happy to buy such an additional single ticket and present it at the barrier at Newcastle. But do I physically still need to make the journey to York to make this legal? If this is the only legal way, how likely am I to be caught if I don't make the physical journey? Thanks in advance - no pun intended

 

[Timster83]

Can't say how likely you are to get challenged, but you may have difficulties in explaining why you are getting off at the wrong platform for a train which hasn't yet arrived in the station...

 

[jb]

I think most would say that physically doubling-back is probably not necessary, although purchasing the extra single probably is.

Some say that many individual rail staff wouldn't have a problem at all with you stopping short (i.e. no additional single needed) although this is surely hit-and-miss at best, and probably not to be relied upon.

Can't say how likely you are to get challenged, but you may have difficulties in explaining why you are getting off at the wrong platform for a train which hasn't yet arrived in the station...

This is very unlikely to be a problem. Most of the time the single will simply work the barrier. Should there be a revenue block or other check then you have a valid combination of tickets. Assuming you hold the single, there is nothing to explain.

 

[bb21]

The best strategy for you is to buy the additional single ticket, present both to the guard onboard and ask. I would be astonished if you are told to go all the way to York and then back.

 

[Harpers Tate]

Some say that many individual rail staff wouldn't have a problem at all with you stopping short (i.e. no additional single needed) ...

There was a case in the press a couple of years ago where someone did alight at Darlington (IIRC) short with an "Advance". And was penaltied the full single from KGX - close to £200. If I remember right, EC did eventually and reluctantly back down in the face of the massive publicity (I really am not sure on that). Anyhow, it's not something I'd rely on.

 

[DaveNewcastle]

There was a case in the press a couple of years ago where someone did alight at Darlington . . . . .

ah, yes. That will have been this thread:
Professor slapped with £155 railway fine for getting OFF the train one stop early.

The general principles, and just about every conceivable opinion, was debated at the time, and again in these two subsequent threads which might be worth reviewing:
Stopping Short with Advance Single

getting off the train early

 

[littletorelate]

Thanks all for the advice. I'll buy & present the single and see what happens. I'm happy not to try travelling short on just the advance. It is against the T&Cs, and frankly it was a good deal for a sightseeing trip down the Highland line.

 

[cjp]

Thanks all for the advice. I'll buy & present the single and see what happens. I'm happy not to try travelling short on just the advance. It is against the T&Cs, and frankly it was a good deal for a sightseeing trip down the Highland line.

Just a thought but why not deal with it on the train?
Ask the guard if, with the appropriate single, you can do what you want to to and offer to buy from them.
You have sought permission and they have the chance to earn a modicum of commission.

 

[34D]

Just a thought but why not deal with it on the train?
Ask the guard if, with the appropriate single, you can do what you want to to and offer to buy from them.
You have sought permission and they have the chance to earn a modicum of commission.

Yes. Presumably the guard on the service will change at Edinburgh and at Newcastle?

 

[littletorelate]

Hi all,

Just to let you know this worked OK. The YRK to NCL single ticket was accepted at the NCL barrier, despite not having actually made the physical journey.

Thanks again for all the advice.