Swindon, 16:00 to 19:00 ish duty yesterday evening. I travelled up on the 14:32 train, 25 minutes, and arrived at around 15:00 - cost GBP 5.15 return on my railcard. An hour early, coffee in Costa as the 16:00 was a fixed start time and others relied on my being there in time. But now for my return
Swindon to Melksham ...
18:52 train, except thet
GWR▸ are not running it at the moment, 19:15 at Melksham Station (19:40 home)
19:00 train to Bath Spa, 19:45 bus to Melksham arrive 20:20 at Town Centre (20:30 home)
20:00 National Express coach direct to Melksham arrive 20:55 on Spa Road (21:00 home)
20:45 train, direct, 21:10 at Melksham Station (21:35 home)
Google is good these days in finding these options (care needed on connection times) - but what about the fares? Should there not be an "any reasonable route" option whether or not it's a coach, a train, a bus, or a mixture? Where "any reasonable route" includes any route on which passengers turning up can next arrive at their destination. So each of the above would be a valid route. With all public transport (not sure about NEx) receiving government support at present, does this not make sense?
Wanting to save an hour ... as GWR are failing to provide the 18:52 at present, I took the route via Bath Spa, and I also took the "OK - how do I change my ticket to make that valid" challenge!
I *think* I did my best ... an off peak single from Chippenham to Bath Spa with senior card purchased from the manned ticket desk at Swindon prior to boarding, and just learning to use my
ENCTS▸ card on the Faresaver 273. BNM may come back with an alternative
... but pity Jo Public trying to work this out!
