No off peaks to Heathrow any longer - use split ticketing instead

[whole diary]

[grahame]

From the Mirror

Thrifty air travellers are able to skip a new hike in fares on train routes to Heathrow Airport.

Off-peak fares on trains and the Tube linking central London with Heathrow airport have suddenly been scrapped as of Sunday.

Commuters taking the new Elizabeth line through the central zone to London's busiest airport will be charged £12.80, up from £10.80, while those on the Piccadilly line will pay £5.50, up from £3.50.

However, several online blogs have now found a cheaper alternative for budget-conscious travellers.

In order to sidestep the 57% fare increase on the Piccadilly Line all you have to do is take a few extra minutes and plan out your route.

When travelling from central London on the dark blue line, get off at Hatton Cross - one stop before Heathrow - and tap out at the barriers.

Then tap back in and catch the next tube to the West London travel hub.

The same trick can be used on the Elizabeth Line by hopping off at Hayes and Harlington Station, tapping out and then in again, and boarding the next train.

[plymothian]

What they don't mention is that TfL^» (Transport for London - about) split ticketing does not work the same as rail split ticketing.
You need to leave the station long enough to convince the system that you are making 2 separate journeys, or use 2 different payment methods, as the system automatically joins up journeys to charge a fare.
A staight forwards out and back in using the same payment method will be counted as a continuous single journey.

[Ralph Ayres]

A staight forwards out and back in using the same payment method will be counted as a continuous single journey.

No it won't!  Linking journeys only happens at stations specifically set up as interchanges and even then it can depend on which gateline you use.  There are also complications at stations with stand-alone validators (which have to work out if you're coming or going) rather than gates, but Hatton Cross is a simple gated station and will always split the journeys if you go out then back in again.  It's still a bit of a faff though, particularly if you've got luggage.

[Mark A]

Split ticketing aside, what this does mean is yet again, the inexpensive option (tube) has a price hike out of proportion to the other routes.

Mark

[ChrisB]

A staight forwards out and back in using the same payment method will be counted as a continuous single journey.

No it won't!  Linking journeys only happens at stations specifically set up as interchanges and even then it can depend on which gateline you use.  There are also complications at stations with stand-alone validators (which have to work out if you're coming or going) rather than gates, but Hatton Cross is a simple gated station and will always split the journeys if you go out then back in again.  It's still a bit of a faff though, particularly if you've got luggage.

Strangely, the forum that the Mirror picked this up from *does* suggest you use a different payment card, to avoid a continuous journey.