Great Western Coffee Shop

Please can those people with NFM confirm that this is the cheapest split ticketing:

I hold a network card.  I want to travel with my wife on 28th July from Farnborough to Warminster leaving after 10am and returning same day.

My plan is to buy Off-peak day rtn FNB - SAL using network cd (2 @ ^13)

Then buy two Off-peak day rtn Sal - Wmn (2 @ ^5.80)

Making total cost of ^37.60

Many thanks.

Farnborough Main - Grateley 2xCDR with Network Railcard = ^14.50 (^7.25ea)
Grateley - Warminster 2x CDR = ^17.40 (^8.70ea)

Total ^31.90

Taking the 1003 from Farnborough Main and changing at Basingstoke (arr 1028, dep 1037) then changing at Salisbury (arr 1118, dep 1141). Arrive Warminster 1200.

Remember on the return journey to pick a Salisbury to Basingstoke service that calls at Grateley!

Bignosemac, the minimum Network Card fare of ^13 as suggested by the original post would apply as 28th July is a midweek.

Ooops.  :-[ :-[

Sorry bigdaz, SB is indeed right. Kinda tripped myself up by just putting 'RAILCARD' in the 'Discount' box in NFM06.

Looks like your original prices are indeed the best deal.

One for me to remember, as NFM program gives blanket 34% deduction even if you specify 'NETWORK RAILCARD' and a weekday date.

Humblest apologies,

bignosemac.

Hmm. Thanks, bignosemac.  :)

This is surely yet another example of what an extensive minefield the rail fares system is, even for a comparative expert using the NFM - never mind the occasional traveller with no idea of what they should be asking for?

Been a while since I've tripped up. In my defence I have been celebrating England's fantastic victory over an old enemy.




at cricket

Maybe railcards should just be scrapped, simpler then ;)

Wouldn't that make it a rather more 'expensive' minefield, rather than just an 'extensive' one?  :o ::) ;D

C.  :-\

Thank you, bignosemac - I hadn't figured out what the 'Discount' box was for. In my defence, the 'help' instructions are best described as minimal!

Typing * in so as to get the complete list (why isn't this a drop-down list?) is amazing. I counted 132 separate discounts, some of  which are very obscure.

Very true, especially as the restrictions vary on different railcards.  Network has a minimum fare weekdays, except public holidays.  16-25 has min fare weekdays before 10am, except public holidays and July/August.  Senior doesn't have min fares (as far as I know).

Senior has restrictions though, the main one being that they can't use it in the morning peak if the journey is solely within the Network South East area.

I've obviously become used to my DSB discount, which offers 34% across the board, no minimum fares, no peak restrictions, no NSE restrictions.....

It does state "Minimum Fare:^    13.00" when you look at the details of the selected fare however in fairness, it doesn't state what this means or when it should be applied.

DSB?

<slaps own wrist for using abbreviation without explanation>

Shortcode for Disabled Persons Railcard used on National Fares Manual program.

...and re-visiting the topic. DSB is what is printed on the ticket(s) when purchased with a Disabled Persons Railcard. The shortcode to be used on the Avantix Traveller (NFM0x) program is DIS.

As each day passes I get more and more certain that ATOC are out to screw the travelling public.... even those that use all tools at their disposal.

Mods? Can I call ATOC a bunch of b*st*rds? Can I cite Arkell versus Pressdram (http://countlazarus.wordpress.com/2006/11/20/arkell-v-pressdram/) as a defence?