Urmston to Warrington - Valid Routeing?

[Mcr Warrior]

Walk-up Anytime Singles/Returns (or Off Peak Returns) from Urmston to/from Warrington are, it would seem, currently issued to Warrington Ctrl/Bank Quay, route "."

Travelling directly from Urmston to Warrington Central, via Irlam/Birchwood, is obviously straightforward enough, but if Warrington Bank Quay is indeed a valid alternative destination, how do you legitimately get there, apart from first going to Warrington Central and then traipsing two-thirds of a mile across the town centre?

 

[Howardh]

Walk-up Anytime Singles/Returns (or Off Peak Returns) from Urmston to/from Warrington are, it would seem, currently issued to Warrington Ctrl/Bank Quay, route "."

Travelling directly from Urmston to Warrington Central, via Irlam/Birchwood, is obviously straightforward enough, but if Warrington Bank Quay is indeed a valid alternative destination, how do you legitimately get there, apart from first going to Warrington Central and then traipsing two-thirds of a mile across the town centre?

Good question; the only way to get to Bank Quay would be to go Urmston - Deansgate then Deansgate to Bank Quay - would that be valid? If a passenger is infirm that might be the only option?

 

[plugwash]

I put urmson to warrington bank quay return avoiding warrington central into NRE and it gave my itinaries via Manchester oxford road priced at either £10 or £8.50 which match the anytime and off-peak returns listed on brfares.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

I put urmson to warrington bank quay return avoiding warrington central into NRE and it gave my itinaries via Manchester oxford road priced at either £10 or £8.50 which match the anytime and off-peak returns listed on brfares.

So noted. This isn't my primary query, but what's to stop someone who's travelling from, say, Manchester Oxford Road to Warrington Bank Quay from buying a cheaper priced walk-up ticket from Urmston (to Warrington C/BQ) and then ostensibly "starting short" from Manchester?

 

[Watershed]

So noted. This isn't my primary query, but what's to stop someone who's travelling from, say, Manchester Oxford Road to Warrington Bank Quay from buying a cheaper priced walk-up ticket from Urmston (to Warrington C/BQ) and then ostensibly "starting short" from Manchester?

Right now, nothing. Next week, the fact that a negative easement will almost inevitably be introduced as you've posted about it here! If you want this thread to be hidden I can arrange this for you...

In reality, they shouldn't be issuing the fares to Warrington Stations (now relabelled to explicitly enumerate both stations) if they don't want you travelling to either station.

 

[yorkie]

Walk-up Anytime Singles/Returns (or Off Peak Returns) from Urmston to/from Warrington are, it would seem, currently issued to Warrington Ctrl/Bank Quay, route "."

Travelling directly from Urmston to Warrington Central, via Irlam/Birchwood, is obviously straightforward enough, but if Warrington Bank Quay is indeed a valid alternative destination, how do you legitimately get there, apart from first going to Warrington Central and then traipsing two-thirds of a mile across the town centre?

It's valid for the time being, however now that it's been highlighted on here, there is a strong possibility of action being taken to invalidate it.

 

[Howardh]

If I wanted Urmston to Birmingham - I would expect to be routed via Manchester, but if my starting point were Birchwood I would be "forced" to cross Warrington to BQ and pay £36 for the ticket (off peak single today) and not sure how many buses cover that route, but the bus fare would be on top.

BUT for an extra 80p I could choose to go Birchwood - Manchester Piccadilly - Birmingham and avoid the walk/bus fare - so could this not appear as an option when buying a ticket?

Here's the really daft bit though, Urmston to Birmingham is £46.80 via Piccadilly; Birchwood to Birmingham via Piccadilly £36.80 a further distance (both single off-peaks) - isn't that bonkers?? I can't imagine anyone in the west of Manchester thinking "ah, but if I book from a station further away it will be £10 cheaper??"

 

[Haywain]

if my starting point were Birchwood I would be "forced" to cross Warrington to BQ and pay £36 for the ticket (off peak single today)

What ticket is this? I can only see one Off Peak Single from Birchwood to Birmingham Stations, and that is routed 'Any Permitted' and priced at £36.80.

BUT for an extra 80p I could choose to go Birchwood - Manchester Piccadilly - Birmingham and avoid the walk/bus fare - so could this not appear as an option when buying a ticket?

If it doesn't it will be because journey times are quicker without going via Manchester. However, if you specify via Manchester it is likely that this fare will be offered. Checking this journey on the LNER website results in being offered fares via Manchester on an hourly basis today without specifying via Manchester; it also offers hourly journeys with a walk between the Warrington stations.

Here's the really daft bit though, Urmston to Birmingham is £46.80 via Piccadilly; Birchwood to Birmingham via Piccadilly £36.80 a further distance (both single off-peaks) - isn't that bonkers?? I can't imagine anyone in the west of Manchester thinking "ah, but if I book from a station further away it will be £10 cheaper??"

Yes, that is a bit daft but is a result of the fares being priced by CrossCountry from Urmston and by Avanti from Birchwood. That is one of the many "benefits" that privatisation delivered.

 

[Howardh]

What ticket is this? I can only see one Off Peak Single from Birchwood to Birmingham Stations, and that is routed 'Any Permitted' and priced at £36.80.

14.11 (today) via WC and WBQ (14.42); as per Northern's booking engine.

 

[Haywain]

14.11 (today) via WC and WBQ (14.42); as per Northern's booking engine.

Priced at £36.80, the same as the journeys either side which are routed with one change via Manchester Piccadilly (as shown in image below).

 

[Howardh]

Priced at £36.80, the same as the journeys either side which are routed with one change via Manchester Piccadilly (as shown in image below).

View attachment 168320

I stand 80p corrected!