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Is a Barnstaple to Bristol Temple Meads rte Any Permitted (^36.00) Off Peak Return valid via Westbury?

The Routing Guide seems to permit it (Map SW), but I don't have access to the Fares database to check if there's a higher fare.

It is indeed. Criteria for vaild routes are:

• Direct trains from Barnstaple to Bristol Temple Meads (there are none)
  
  
• Shortest Route: 114.25 miles (BNP-EXD-BRI via Worle avoiding WSM)
  
  
• Mapped Routes (subject to fares check):
  EXETER GROUP - BRISTOL GROUP:
  
  • CE (http://www.atoc.org/clientfiles/File/Maps.pdf#page=13)
  • SW (http://www.atoc.org/clientfiles/File/Maps.pdf#page=104)

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Exeter is the only Routeing Point for Barnstaple so there's no need for a 'fare's check' (http://www.atoc.org/clientfiles/File/RSPDocuments/nrg_detail.pdf#page=4) to find valid Routeing Points. So for permitted routes using an 'Any Permitted' ticket we have Map SW on which you can trace any route form Origin Routeing Point (Exeter) to Destination Routeing Point (Bristol) without doubling back through any station. To get to the Origin Routeing Point you must take the shortest route - which in this case (BNP-EXD) - is the only route. As you can see Map SW then allows a route to be traced through Westbury. In fact it's possible to trace a route through Swindon without doubling back and without needing to go via Melksham! Using the same map I often travel from Bristol to pick up west bound HSTs at Westbury or Castle Cary for Devon and Cornwall destinations. Maybe a slightly longer journey but does avoid XC Voyagers and changing at Taunton!

All walk-up fares between Barnstaple and Bristol (http://brfares.com/#fares?orig=BNP&dest=BRI&rlc=) are 'Any Permitted' so no problems there. Finally there are no negative easements (http://www.atoc.org/clientfiles/File/easements.pdf) disallowing travel via Westbury.

EDIT: Should this be a day trip then a split at Taunton into two Off Peak Day Returns (still allows travel via Westbury) will be cheaper than the the Off Peak Return

Ta, muchly :)

I have to say that is the clearest explanation of the Routeing Guide I have seen, thanks BNM. I have struggled with the maps many a time.

As for going via Westbury to avoid a Voyager. I have done that from Swindon - only to discover I had avoided one of the few XC HSTs!  ;D

What kind of idiot puts an apostrophe in "Fare's"? Jeezus...  :-[

Haven't they recently changed some of the Via Westbury tickets? I know Taunton - Bristol used to be valid via Westbury, however not any more (no surprise when it works out cheaper than Taunton - Westbury!)

Made my day has that. You are human after all. Also what kind of idiot spells the name of Our Lord and Saviour with two e's and a z?  :P

Taunton to Bristol remains valid via Westbury. No recent changes to tickets that I'm aware of that have changed anything. And yes, it is cheaper to buy TAU-BRI and end short at WSB on some ticket types.

However, Taunton to Westbury is not valid via Bristol on some ticket flows. These have a specific 'Not via Bristol' routeing.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Jeezus

See #4.

I do wonder how many train managers, on being presented with a Bristol to Taunton ticket approaching Swindon from the Bristol Parkway direction (or even on the leg up from Temple Meads to Parkway) would accept it, particularly if you didn't have a print out of the routeing guide. Do they keep copies with them? 

I hope you forgive me altering the quote below slightly...


...because I don't know, since my ticket didn't get checked after Umberleigh until I passed Cathays!

Quite, would anyone risk that? :o :o

And thanks BNM for that explanation  ;) - the routing guide is completely new to me. I bet there are lots of tricks you can do to save money (although probs not on the Cotswold line). >:(

...and didn't get checked on the way back anywhere between Pentre-bach and Newton St Cyres - not even at the barriers at Cardiff Central!

<pedant alert>. In UK railway terminology it's 'Routeing Guide'. That 'e' is important, lest there be confusion with guides giving tips on how to tile a bathroom or making grooves in woodwork, for example.  :P