Using two parts of a return out of order

[politicfool]

I travel frequently between Cambridge and London. Looking for a day trip at weekends the cheapest fare that allows travel on the fast FCC services is a Super Off Peak Day Return for Cambridge - London Terminals, route Any Permitted, costing £16.00.

However in the reverse direction, London Terminals - Cambridge, there are no Super Off Peak fares available, so next best is an Off Peak Day Return instead at £23.00.

What would happen if you bought the Cambridge - London Super Off Peak ticket and used the two parts out of order to travel London - Cambridge?

 

[telstarbox]

Not allowed under NRCOC Condition 17:

17. Using a return ticket
A return ticket (including a two-part return ticket) is only valid for the outward journey shown on that ticket if the ticket is completely unused. You may not use the outward part of a return ticket after you have used the return part.

However, you could use the return before the outward portion of a different ticket (although this doesn't help if you only do day trips).

 

[jkdd77]

If you did so, you would be travelling without a valid ticket when returning from Cambridge to London, and would be liable to a PF or prosecution.

 

[extendedpaul]

I've never done this and never would but out of interest has anybody ever been caught and prosecuted for this offence ?

Do RPIs actually ask to see the other part of a return ticket when carrying out checks and if they did what would be to stop the passenger saying they had bought a return in error and thrown it away ?

 

[swt_passenger]

Do RPIs actually ask to see the other part of a return ticket when carrying out checks and if they did what would be to stop the passenger saying they had bought a return in error and thrown it away ?

I've been asked to show both portions on SWT and XC by normal train crew, never mind RPIs, often enough not to try this trick...

 

[yorkie]

Do RPIs actually ask to see the other part of a return ticket when carrying out checks...

Not unless they are suspicious (or if using the outward portion of an Anytime Return after the first day of validity - then I'd expect to be asked to show an unused return portion!)

and if they did what would be to stop the passenger saying they had bought a return in error and thrown it away ?

They could still be asked to buy a full fare single ticket.

 

[Chrisgr31]

I cant recall ever being asked to provide both the outgoing and incoming portions of the ticket at inspection time, and of course if their are automatic barriers at the outgoing destination you wouldnt have the ticket to show anyway.

However every time I travel on an advance ticket where a seat reservation is necessary I have been asked to show the seat reservation even when it says any seat!

 

[LexyBoy]

I cant recall ever being asked to provide both the outgoing and incoming portions of the ticket at inspection time, and of course if their are automatic barriers at the outgoing destination you wouldnt have the ticket to show anyway.

As yorkie says, this is only likely for Anytime Returns where travel is not on the first day (the outward is valid for 5 days). That said, I haven't been asked for the RTN portion even in these circumstances.

The rules only concern the OUT part - as you say you may well not have the OUT once used and there is no requirement to show (or keep) it.

However every time I travel on an advance ticket where a seat reservation is necessary I have been asked to show the seat reservation even when it says any seat!

Yes, the ticket is only valid on the booked service so the guard needs to check this to ensure you're on the right train. They won't care whether you're in your booked seat though!

 

[bb21]

I don't understand the point of asking how often a return portion is requested on inspection. It is not permitted to use the OUT portion after the RTN portion and that is it.

If that is what is being considered, then my advice is "don't". You will be regretting your actions if caught.

 

[politicfool]

It looks like my original post may be moot, because a number of TOC websites I've checked now offer a Super Off Peak Return in the direction London Terminals - Cambridge at the same price as in the opposite direction.

 

[jkdd77]

Assuming this is the ticket you are referring to, be aware that the £15.40 London- Cambridge Super Off-Peak Day Return is valid on (slow, infrequent) Greater Anglia services only.

 

[politicfool]

Assuming this is the ticket you are referring to, be aware that the £15.40 London- Cambridge Super Off-Peak Day Return is valid on (slow, infrequent) Greater Anglia services only.

Actually no, I was referring to the £16.00 London-Cambridge Super Off Peak Day Return, route Any Permitted. Doesn't show up on brfares.com but seems to be available for purchase.

 

[Sacro]

This one?

 

[politicfool]

This one?

That link is for Cambridge-London. As I previously stated, the same fare in the direction London-Cambridge does not show up on brfares.com, but nonetheless does appear to be available to purchase.