What's the difference between Frodsham and Helsby? Double!

[JamesM]

Could someone explain to me the thinking here?

Frodsham - Lancaster tomorrow, return. £18.10
Helsby - Lancaster tomorrow, return. £37.10

Why the astonishing difference in price?

 

[Searle]

1) Frodsham is part of the Warrington Stations Cluster and Helsby is part of the Chester Cluster, so it could be related to comparing a Warrington - Lancaster and Chester - Lancaster ticket, which would be more understandable.

2) The Frodsham - Lancaster ticket is an Off Peak Day Return whereas the Helsby - Lancaster is an Off Peak Return.

3) The Frodsham - Lancaster ticket is from any ticket after 0930, the Helsby - Lancaster ticket is valid on any train (with no break of journey).

That should be why

 

[bb21]

In addition to the above, they are priced by two different TOCs.

Frodsham - Lancaster is priced by Virgin West Coast, and Helsby - Lancaster is priced by Arriva Trains Wales.

Someone with access to historical fares data might be able to explain in more details as to what happened, however the Helsby Off-Peak Return fare you saw has no time restrictions, therefore the compatible Frodsham fare I suspect would be the Anytime Return, which costs £38. Of course the Frodsham Off-Peak Return only has a nominal restriction so acts just like an Anytime Return in most cases, however that is not the point. My guess is that the Helsby Off-Peak Return and the Frodsham Anytime Return were actually the same fare types prior to "simplification". They have simply gone in different directions since then due to differing policies at Virgin and ATW.

 

[kieron]

Why the astonishing difference in price?

Well, if you compare 1st class anytime returns, you get:

Frodsham - Lancaster £97
Helsby - Lancaster £91.40

Clearly they need to find money from somewhere to maintain this bargain fare.

 

[JamesM]

Very interesting chaps - thanks.

It's amazing how if you ask around, or do some playing on NRE that these huge fare differences can be found, which makes doing an extra few miles in the car much more worth it.

 

[CaptainHaddock]

Very interesting chaps - thanks.

It's amazing how if you ask around, or do some playing on NRE that these huge fare differences can be found, which makes doing an extra few miles in the car much more worth it.

As ever, a quick check at www.brfares.com is always worthwhile (use expert mode to find which stations are grouped together).

On a similar note, if you want an off-peak day return to Derby from Elsecar it's £21.20 but the same fare from Chapeltown (just a couple of miles away) is £10.80!

 

[button_boxer]

On a similar note, if you want an off-peak day return to Derby from Elsecar it's £21.20 but the same fare from Chapeltown (just a couple of miles away) is £10.80!

But it's not the "same" fare. Elsecar to Derby doesn't have an off-peak day return fare, so the £21.20 is the off-peak return valid for one month. The same fare from Chapeltown would be £19.60.

 

[CaptainHaddock]

But it's not the "same" fare. Elsecar to Derby doesn't have an off-peak day return fare, so the £21.20 is the off-peak return valid for one month. The same fare from Chapeltown would be £19.60.

You and I know that but Joe Public who gets on the train at Elsecar and asks for a day return to Derby is unlikely to be offered a split fare combination.

And being pedantic the £21.20 is a Standard Day Return; the Off-Peak Return (valid for a month) is a whacking 20p more expensive!