Great Western Coffee Shop

New poster here, so apologies for repetition of familiar issues.

Here's the lowdown

I make a return journey from Montpelier to Newport (Gwent) three or four times a week, mostly off-peak (late morning), returning early evening.

My work is seasonal so a season ticket would rarely if ever work for me, whereas a carnet would be much more useful.

The only reference I can find to a carnet on the FGW website is in the section entitled "Business Travel" and as far as I can understand this is only available to businesses rather than individuals if you open a "business account". None of it very clear, and after some googling around it seems that I'm not the only one to be confused by this. I'm aware that there are some carnets available for other routes, but my interest is in journeys from Bristol to South Wales.

Can anyone advise on this? Any talk of making carnets more available?

I believe the carnets are based on the Anytime Return fare price, although they are not well publicised.  I have no idea where/how they can be purchased.

Depending on the number of journeys you make, a Freedom of Severn and Solent Rover may be cheaper.  They come in a 3 days in a 7 days period (http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/promotions/pr8bb6ac0a0400040155984b49bbe4b3/details.html) and 8 days in a 15 days period (http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/promotions/pr1c94e40a0400020191e8b12e8fa4b2/details.html) version.

CArnets only available to/from barrierd stations (and Digby) in Devon and Cornwall, don't think there are any outside this area.

Thanks for the replies. The carnet sounds as unlikely as ever, but the longer Rover ticket (which I didn't know of) sounds much more promising. Based on my calculations, at ^63.50 the 8 in 15 day version could bring me a decent saving of between ^15 and ^22 over a two week period, depending on where I travel from - fantastic! What's more, it's actually valid from 9.00am, 30 minutes earlier than off-peak, which could also come in useful.

I'm going to try it out. Many thanks for the heads up!

Uh-oh - maybe I was too hasty  >:(

On the  National Rail page for the 8 to 15 day Rover (http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/promotions/pr1c94e40a0400020191e8b12e8fa4b2/details.html) it lists the Adult fare as ^63.50

This might be misleading, however - according to the Rail Rover site the full adult fare is ^100.50!!

http://www.railrover.org/pages/freedom-of-the-south-west-rover.html

It seems that the National Rail page just lists the concessionary fare, but not the full fare (which I would have to pay, not having a Railcard)  >:(

Hoping that this is a mistake...but sensing that my elation will be short-lived :'(

Get back to being elated.

The ^100.50 refers to a different rover - Freedom of the South West which stretches right down to Penzance so is good value for those wishing to travel that far but is further than you need.

I think I need to keep my elation under control for the time being!  :-[  :-X

I've emailed natrionarail.co.uk to ask about the prices listed and will report back when I get a clear answer...  ???

This is the rover you need (Severn & Solent), as bobm says you were looking at the Freedom of South West rover on National Rail which covers a broader region.

http://www.railrover.org/pages/freedom-of-the-severn-and-solent-rover.html

(The information on National  Rail is correct)

As others have said, there are two different tickets at different prices.

Freedom of Severn & Solent is ^63.50
Freedom of South West is ^100.50

The South West ticket covers a larger area, hence the higher price.

As a footnote, if you are buying the ticket on-board the train at Montpelier and the guard cannot find the ticket, it is listed as "FOSS ROVER 8IN15" under the "Rover Enquiry" screen.

Drinks all round! National Rail also confirmed the correct price in a prompt answer to my email.

Can I offer everyone a virtual drink for all the kind advice?

Cheers!  ;D

Just in case anyone is searching this forum, the even simpler code for this Rover ticket is "WR7"

I've saved ^ since hearing about it on this forum - still encounter FGW ticket sellers who haven't heard of it!