Worcester to Alvechurch permitted routes

[jednick]

Until today, if I were to travel from Worcester to Alvechurch, I would buy a "Not via Birmingham" ticket and travel from Worcester to University, then cross onto the other platform at University and travel to Alvechurch.

This was the only way to travel between the two stations, avoiding New Street, of course, as the ticket wouldn't allow it.

I believe there had always been an easement allowing the traveller to "double back". The same would apply if I was travelling to Barnt Green or Redditch from Worcester.

But, from today the situation is different with the introduction of the new electric service from Bromsgrove to Birmingham.

Now, travelling from Worcester to Barnt Green, a change can be made at Bromsgrove, perhaps cutting half an hour off the journey.

To get from Worcester to Alvechurch, however, National Rail Enquiries says I can either do the journey the old way changing at University. Or I can change at Bromsgrove and also Barnt Green and get there quicker.

So, do I take it that I would still actually be able to change at University with a Worcester to Alvechurch ticket with no problems? Is that "doubling back" easement still in force despite the new electric trains? National Rail Enquiries seems to suggest it's fine.

 

[lyndhurst25]

If National Rail Enquiries offers an itinerary using a certain ticket then the route is valid.

You are allowed to break your journey anywhere along your route using an Off Peak Day Return ticket. That includes starting or finishing your journey short of the origin or destination on your ticket.

Ticket barriers are rubbish at determining whether or not a ticket is valid. Sometimes they pass invalid tickets. Sometimes they reject valid tickets.

I don't know if or when the current list of easements will be changed to reflect changes in train service patterns.