Great Western Coffee Shop

This Wed I have to travel from A to D and back, (51/62 miles each way). I have to change at B or C en route. My appointment is mid afternoon. I have a Veteran’s Railcard. These are the fares that I eventually gathered.

Off Peak Return from A to D: £21.35
Split at C  (most obvious change/split point): £13.35 + £2.95 = £16.30
Split at B  (not so obvious) £6.00 + £8.25 = £14.25  (My choice)

I consider myself to be fairly wordly-wise when it comes to rail fares but I have to say that I was astounded by the sheer complexity of this “simple” journey.
My journey times fitted in well with the “cheap” off peak fare options available but anyone who was travelling at peak time and/or needing a period return would be absolutely lost, or fleeced. I cannot see anyone getting anything approaching a “reasonable” fare from a platform vending machine – even a very good ticket office clerk would struggle to find a ticket, if he had the time/inclination, other than the “full fare” open direct ticket.

I look at this and wonder how it would ever be possible to rationalise this existing system. There is a mix of day/period/anytime/off peak/special tickets – each with their own complicated availability conditions. Who would expect an “Evening Out” ticket to be valid from midday (apart from during the Waterloo “Evening” rush  !!) ?   It should be called an “Evening Out Day Return” anyway (I think !!)…….”Evening” and “Day” on the same ticket – that would really cause confusion.
One section of the journey will cost me £8.25 return…………that bit returning the next day would cost me two singles at £11.50 ea……………or possibly two (half used) Evening Outs at £8.25 each day ……………….sheer madness !
There are two direct routes from C to D; one of 5 miles, the other 16 miles – same fare ……………that knocks a simple pence per mile future system on the head – or does it ?

If anyone thinks there is any way to sort out the shambles of the fares system……….good luck !!  Closing ticket offices IS NOT the way.

PS: If any of the figures above are wrong ………it proves my point, AND just for good measure Trainsplit couldn’t/wouldn’t offer me anything !.

Do I get any points by suggesting this is something like Bath Spa to Eastleigh?    There's a direct train, you know?

Getting warm.................!

Probably Bath Spa to Chandler's Ford then judging by the mileages?   And I suspect Romsey and Salisbury splits.

I'll have to give you that one..............just noticed a typo in the mileage I quoted. The website gave a mileage of 41 m 51 ch - I must have copied the wrong two numbers  :-[   
Start point is WMN, split at SAL, WMN to SAL on an OPDR is £6..........bargain !   Interestingly, I checked your suggested starting point of Bath - the direct through ticket is the cheapest option from there.
As I have plenty of time tomorrow I shall take the scenic route via Southampton on the way out  :)