Another imbalance

[whole diary]

[John R]

When i go to cardiff, i always split it Didcot Parkway to Bath Spa, Bath Spa to Cardiff Central.  It works out a hell of a lot cheaper.  It's madness really.

But for that journey it takes a fair bit longer than a direct train. The real anomalies are when you can catch the same train and save a fortune.

[JayMac]

Here's another great fare anomaly (or rip off if you prefer)

Want to get to Birmingham NS from Exeter SD before 1200 on a weekday, returning up to 1 month later? Then NRES^▸ (National Rail Enquiry Service) and TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company) will quote you ^123.00 for a  Standard Class Anytime Return (SOR).

Split the journey at Bristol and Cheltenham and you save over ^50

EXD^» (Exeter St Davids - next trains)-BRI^» (Bristol Temple Meads - next trains) (SOR) ^26.60
BRI-CNM^» (Cheltenham Spa - next trains) (SOR) ^19.60
CNM-BHM (SOR) ^26.50
Total: ^72.60.

It don't end there....if you are coming back the same day you can buy Off Peak Day Returns (CDRs^▸ (Off Peak Day Return [ticket type] (formerly 'Cheap Day'))) from BRI-CNM after 0830 and CNM-BHM after 0930. So If you catch the 0743 XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) service from EXD you can get a day return fare to BHM for:

EXD-BRI (SOR) ^26.50
BRI-CNM (CDR) ^7.40
CNM-BHM (CDR) ^18.00*
Total ^51.90

*XC set fare. So their petty CDR restrictions means no return between 1530 and 1815. The Off Peak Return (SVR) is ^19.60 and is valid on any return train.

I use this example to highlight what a complex system we currently have. A system that hides information from the public, overcharges the unwary or those 'not in the know' and generally treats the passenger as a cash cow. Even the publically available Avantix^▸ (Ticket Issuing System used on board trains) fares CD^▸ (Capital Delivery)-ROM is full of errors and omissions when it comes to ticket restrictions. These restrictions form part of the contract between the TOC and the passenger, yet to get access to them the passenger has to buy the CD-ROM! Oh and don't say 'ask at the station'.  Some Ticket office staff are often in the dark as much as the passenger when it comes to what ticket's valid when. TVMs^▸ (Ticket Vending Machine) are even worse in giving accurate validity and you can't buy split tickets from them at all. 21st Century? Pah!