Validity question

[Zoe]

A few months ago I had to go from Devon to Hemel Hempstead. I used a Super Off Peak return. On my return I was intending to use the first Super Off Peak train from Paddington but when I got to Hemel Hempstead the London Midland staff didn't want to let my through the barriers claiming Super Off Peak was not valid between 4 PM and 7 PM. I said that I thought this only applied from Paddington for that ticket and they decided to let me through and my ticket was checked on the train with no issues. Does anyone know if the ticket was actually valid for that journey?

 

[TEW]

It is only valid on trains connecting in to valid trains from Paddington, as you were going for a valid connecting service your ticket was valid.

 

[First class]

We need more details please!

Origin would be a good start! However, if we use Plymouth-Hemel H (super off peak) here is the restriction:

Available as listed below     
MONDAYS to FRIDAYS. (By any   
train on Saturdays, Sundays   
and Bank Holiday Mondays).    
                              
TOWARDS LONDON:               
Available on the following    
trains and all later services.
                              
FROM:                         
St Germans_______________0915 
Saltash__________________0920 
Plymouth                 1015 
Ivybridge                0945 
Totnes                   1030 
Newton Abbot             1010 
                              
FROM LONDON:                  
Available on the following    
trains: See Note A below      
                              
Note A                        
Only valid on services        
departing London Paddington or
London Waterloo between 1010  
and 1501, or after 1900       
(departing Reading, heading   
west (that is services        
passing through Didcot        
Parkway, Oxford or Newbury    
ONLY) between 1030 and 1530,  
or after 1900).               
                              
SUPER OFF-PEAK TICKETS FROM   
STATIONS NOT LISTED ARE VALID 
FOR CONNECTIONS INTO THE ABOVE
TRAINS.                       
                              
Notes:                        
In addition to the specific   
restrictions shown, the       
following restrictions apply: 
                              
Validity Code Q8 applies to   
all journeys via Fareham/     
Southampton/Salisbury.        
                              
Validity Code 2W applies to   
journeys via Didcot Parkway/  
Newbury, not passing through  
Reading.                      
                              
Validity Codes CI/CJ_apply    
for all journeys via London   
St Pancras International.     
                              
Restrictions are lifted on    
First Great Western services  
on 24th, and 27th to 31st     
December 2010 inclusive..     
                              
Overnight Break of Journey_-  
restarting journey from an    
intermediate station:         
On day 2, restrictions as     
above apply and journey must  
recommence before 1200.       
SSS/SSR/OPS/OPR/SOP           
SUPER OFF-PEAK

So that ticket would be valid for the journey you made. London Midland's own Super Off Peak tickets have that restriction, but it is First Great Western that set your ticket's restriction which is not preventing you travelling from HML at that time. But, they saw sense and let you through so no real harm done on this occasion.

 

[Greenback]

This is not an uncommon situation. Tickets are so complicated now that staff need to check restriction codes more often, but usually they see the ticket name and apply the usual restrictions from that particular station to London!

 

[yorkie]

the London Midland staff didn't want to let my through the barriers claiming Super Off Peak was not valid between 4 PM and 7 PM.

Did they look up the restriction? No, they didn't or they would have realised it's valid.

They really should be trained to know that for tickets between a Network Area station and a non-Network Area station, there is no restriction between the Network Area station and London. It's possible they were told but didn't pay attention at the training.

Unfortunately barrier staff are not always knowledgeable. This is a common problem. If they don't know, fair enough, but for goodness sake they should look it up.

If they can't be bothered to look it up or have no means to, then accept the ticket. Lying and attempting to charge passengers more or deny entry is pathetic and inexcusable, but sadly not uncommon, particularly in the London area.

Would they like it if they went to their vet and their vet started diagnosing their cat as if it was a dog? No, they wouldn't. Other people can't make such mistakes in their jobs, why should they get away with making such mistakes in their job? Many people would be out of a job if they made the job up as they went along!!!