Works in barriers - so is it valid?

[Timmyd]

I bought an annual season ticket for the first time between my local station West Dulwich and London Terminals, and was pleased to discover that the ticket also bears on it the words ‘also valid from Tulse Hill’, another nearby station, which opens up a number of other useful opportunities.

This made me think yesterday when I travelled from another very nearby (and also zone 3 but on a different line) station West Norwood to Victoria that I should try the ticket in the barriers to see if it was valid from there, expecting to have to use my oyster instead. However it did work in both directions at both ends of the journey. My question is whether the fact a ticket works barriers indicates validity, or could I find myself being challenged making such a journey?

 

[Intermodal]

Welcome to RailUK.

Whether the ticket is accepted in barriers has no bearing on validity. Many invalid tickets are accepted in barriers and many valid tickets are rejected. Should you come under scrutiny for fare evasion then "it worked in the barriers" would not be a defence.

The validity of tickets is decided by the ATOC Routeing Guide combined with local easements (and negative easements). If you want us to look into the validity of your ticket at a specific station you can post the full details and we can have a look for you.

 

[yorkie]

The ticket is West Dulwich to London Terminals, also available at (AAA) Tulse Hill.

Tulse Hill to Victoria is permitted via West Norwood; it's within 3 miles of the shortest route (via Herne Hill) and is therefore valid under the shortest route rule, with no need to consult the Routeing Guide maps.

 

[Timmyd]

Many thanks to you both for the welcome and quick replies. Yorkie that is that is exactly the ticket I have.

A follow up question to this if I may. I suspected the TUH to VIC via WNW was the reason the ticket might be validly that route. Does that mean the ticket is valid for exit-entry at West Norwood? And - pushing my luck I know - if so would I also be able to make a journey from West Norwood to Clapham Junction, and West Norwood to Waterloo (via Clapham Junction) using this ticket?

 

[maniacmartin]

With a season ticket, you may start or finish short at any station on a permitted route between the stations named on the ticket.

 

[yorkie]

Indeed.

As for Tulse Hill to Waterloo via West Norwood, this is less than a mile longer than the shortest route (0.89 to be precise), so well within the 3 mile rule.

 

[Timmyd]

Thank you for all your replies, seems my ticket is even better value than I thought it was when I bought it!