Two advance tickets, missed return journey due to delays.

[185143]

Not actually had this happen before, so I'm not sure what the official line is.

I'm currently travelling on an advance single to Thanet Parkway. I've missed my connection out of St. Pancakes due to GWR cancelling my service from Bristol. It's a through ticket, not that it really should make a difference, so I know I'm OK on my outward journey.

But the return journey might be a different matter. I should have arrived at Thanet Parkway at 12:51 and left on the 13:07. Due to my delay, I'll only arrive at 13:51, so will have missed my booked train through no fault of my own. I've messaged Southeastern, and they've told me to explain the situation to the onboard staff on return. Which sounds like they're saying it's OK, but their reply stops short of actually saying so.

But officially, do I need a new ticket as it's obviously a separate journey?

(As an aside, are Seatfrog upgrades delay-repayable? Don't mind if not, given the fact the train was standing room only out of Bristol, that was a very good use of £13! But may as well have it if I'm entitled to it.)

 

[jfollows]

If your two tickets are

1. (somewhere) to Thanet Parkway arrive 12:51
2. Thanet Parkway to (somewhere or somewhere else) depart 13:07

then you are entitled to catch a later train with the same train operators for the second trip if your arrival into Thanet Parkway was delayed. You do not need a new ticket. It will help if you have an itinerary showing both trips from when you bought the two tickets, but this is not essential. You can also claim Delay Repay from GWR based on your final arrival time to your destination.

 

[185143]

If your two tickets are

1. (somewhere) to Thanet Parkway arrive 12:51
2. Thanet Parkway to (somewhere or somewhere else) depart 13:07

then you are entitled to catch a later train with the same train operators for the second trip if your arrival into Thanet Parkway was delayed. You do not need a new ticket. It will help if you have an itinerary showing both trips from when you bought the two tickets, but this is not essential. You can also claim Delay Repay from GWR based on your final arrival time to your destination.

The OBM on the service I'm on now agrees I'll be fine.

I don't have an itinerary showing both tickets as it's Portway Park & Ride-Thanet Parkway-London St. Pancras. Yes, I do have an advance from one new station to another! I did buy them from Trainsplit in the same transaction though.

 

[yorkie]

Yes, you may use two or more tickets for one journey, as per the conditions of travel.

While certainly not essential, it's a good idea to do as you did and buy them in the same transaction (ideally with a through itinerary; this can be particularly useful evidence in the event of any of the trains being retained or cancelled between the time of booking & time of travel).

 

[185143]

It was absolutely no issue at all in the end.

The OBM on the London train seemed like he'd have been happy for me to travel on his train without having been delayed by GWR first.

Yes, you may use two or more tickets for one journey, as per the conditions of travel.

While certainly not essential, it's a good idea to do as you did and buy them in the same transaction (ideally with a through itinerary; this can be particularly useful evidence in the event of any of the trains being retained or cancelled between the time of booking & time of travel).

I'm well aware of that, as you know, but can you really count Portway Park & Ride-Bristol-London-Thanet Parkway and then straight back to St. Pancras as one journey?

 

[yorkie]

I'm well aware of that, as you know, but can you really count Portway Park & Ride-Bristol-London-Thanet Parkway and then straight back to St. Pancras as one journey?

Ah, in that case, for future reference see https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/circular-journey-cancellations.227401/#post-5503031

This crops up every so often.

I previously said this:

...I agree that seeking staff advice is a good idea, and if station staff won't endorse the ticket, approaching on-board staff (where applicable) is a good idea.

I suggest a lengthy layover is planned for at least one place when on a 'circular' journey, because at some point you may have to 'define' what your 'journey' is, and it might not be to your advantage to state your journey is Bushey to London.

In your case I would have planned a break at Sheffield (perhaps visiting the Sheffield Tap) or Manchester Piccadilly, which would allow you to have two clearly defined journeys. This may be to your advantage if severe delays mean you may struggle to get back on track, and it may also be to your advantage to claim Delay Repay.

Perhaps posting future ideas to Trip Planning & Reports for others to advise on the viability of the itinerary before booking may help to reduce the potential for problems next time....

I also concur with this...

This is normally accepted without issue by guards unless they’re particularly commission hungry.

When it does get a bit awkward is if say you’d planned to have 2 hours there and you were delayed by an hour, you wouldn’t normally be allowed to delay your return for this reason (although it’s always worth contacting the operator as it has been known). But if you actually miss your return train it’s normally allowed.

If you end up buying a new ticket it would be worth a complaint and this may yield good results.

 

[jfollows]

I'm well aware of that, as you know, but can you really count Portway Park & Ride-Bristol-London-Thanet Parkway and then straight back to St. Pancras as one journey?

I'd say "yes", for sure.
You might, for example, be travelling to London but arranging to meet someone at Thanet Parkway to collect something from them, and as long as you allow the appropriate connection time between trains this would not be inappropriate. The fact that you're just having a day out doesn't alter this.

 

[BluePenguin]

I don’t mind to side track your question but why did/were you only planning on spending 16 minutes at Thanet Parkway before leaving again?

In contrast most of us who visited on open day were there 6 hours minimum, with no toilet

 

[MrJeeves]

I don’t mind to side track your question but why did/were you only planning on spending 16 minutes at Thanet Parkway before leaving again?

In contrast most of us who visited on open day were there 6 hours minimum, with no toilet

Same reason I went to Reading Green Park on the day of opening for 15 mins...

Sometimes people have other things to do! You can only see so much, and some may say there's no point standing about at a station for 6 hours to see the same units running the same routes stop at the same time past each hour for an entire day.

 

[BluePenguin]

Same reason I went to Reading Green Park on the day of opening for 15 mins...

Sometimes people have other things to do! You can only see so much, and some may say there's no point standing about at a station for 6 hours to see the same units running the same routes stop at the same time past each hour for an entire day.

Good point, but there was so much more to do than simply watch trains. On the contrary, everyone but the anti social spotter types mingled downstairs away from the platforms. There was a full on outdoor party on the day

We got to meet several high profile staff from Southeastern, who some of us spoke to about recruitment. We were given goody bags that included a Costa gift card, phone charger, biscuits, notepad, pen and water bottle. Even had a free coffee on presenting my ticket.

It was also a good opportunity to speak to ITV and BBC journalists and network with other enthusiasts who had travelled from far away for the day specially. Local councillors were also present getting their face time in too.

None of the above could be fully enjoyed in 15 minutes. I assume Reading Green Park opened quietly without any of the above hence the rapid visit?

A spotter I kept in touch with from Dorking went to the new Bristol station the following day. He was given a free empty GWR tote bag and nothing more! Madness really

 

[MrJeeves]

None of the above could be fully enjoyed in 15 minutes. I assume Reading Green Park opened quietly without any of the above hence the rapid visit?

Indeed! Your opening sounds like it was incredibly extravagant!

I was greeted with visible confusion and a grimace when I asked if I could be let through the gateline at Green Park so I could keep my ticket, on the other hand.