Great Western Coffee Shop

An Off Peak return Newton Abbot to London Terminals Any Permitted used to be valid via both Taunton and Honiton.  Since FGW renamed Off Peak to Super Off Peak and hiked the Off Peak fare by 20%, is the cheapest walk-on fare (Super Off Peak) valid via Taunton only as SWT do not have a Super Off Peak return?

According to NFM07, SSR route "any permitted" is GBP 68.70 (restriction WP, available outward by all trains departing NTA at or after 1010, return valid on service departing PAD/WAT between 1010 and 1501 or after 1900, by any train in either direction at weekends). Route Honiton, SVR is GBP 72.50 (restriction WW, outwards valid by all trains departing EXD at or later than 0810, return available on services departing PAD/WAT between 0810 and 1640, or after 1831, by any train at weekends).

So yes, you are correct.

I don't think the existance of the route Honiton SVR is conclusive proof of this as this ticket existed before FGW hiked the SVR last year.

Conclusive proof of what? I don't really understand what you're asking, but NFM07 clearly shows that those are the two cheapest "walk up" fares for the respective routes.

Sorry, I understand what you are saying now.  I thought you were saying that a SSR was not valid via Honiton as a via Honiton fare existed but now I see you are quoting the routes.

As the Super Off Peak is routed 'Any Permitted' it is valid via either Honiton or Taunton.

It would seem that is not the case though as SWT do not have Super Off Peak returns on that route.

Thats irrelevant as the Any permitted fare is set by FGW so goes by their rules.

It is irrelevant whether SWT have Super Off Peaks on that route. The ticket says 'Any Permitted' and via Honiton is a permitted route. Put Honiton in the 'via' box on a booking engine and you'll see that the SSS/SSR fares are available.

An 'Any Permitted' ticket is valid with any operator over any route that is defined in the National Rail Routeing Guide.

For SWT not to accept the Super Off Peak, FGW would have to make the fare TOC specific, something they cannot do as they are the 'lead operator' for the Newton Abbot to London Terminals flow. Lead operators are not permitted to offer TOC restricted walk-up fares.

What SWT trains could do, as they are not lead operator, is offer their own Super Off Peak routed: Honiton and keep all the revenue, excepting the seller's commission. Something they already do with several other ticket types from Exeter and beyond to London Terminals.