re: Chiltern railways to Didcot parkway friday 5th november

[whole diary]

[ChrisB]

This is what prevents tickets to either station not being valid on the opposite route.  Can you actually buy tickets to 'Bicester stations'? 

Not currently.

As I said above, Chiltern will need to change that (and create 'Bicester Stations') once they gain control in May11

[paul7575]

As we've discussed before, even Oxford to London will need looking at regarding 'route any permitted' fares to London terminals, as from Oxford Chiltern will be in a similar sort of position as SN are at Southampton re 'London terminal' fares.

Hadn't heard of the responsibility for the route changing as soon as May 2011 - is that pubic knowledge yet?

Paul

[ChrisB]

May11 TT change date is what I've been told. I don't think it's a secret....always assuming the public enquiry result is announced by then & goes in favour of Chiltern.

I don't think Oxford - London needs looking at does it? FGW^▸ (First Great Western) will be lead operator and Chiltern will be able to set their own 'Chiltern only' fare.

BUT - once 'Bicester stations' is created, it will mean that a Banbury - London season will be available via Bicester North, Bicester Town, Oxford & London. Because the excess would be zero. And, I guess, Banbury - Haddenham, reverse to Oxford & Padd.

[paul7575]

Yes, but what I'm wondering is if they'll have to decide if they want Oxford to London Terminals, set by FGW^▸ (First Great Western), to be valid both ways - AIUI^▸ (as I understand it) this is down to how any routeing guide amendments are made?

Paul

[IndustryInsider]

Passengers I've spoken to are mainly driving to Aylesbury / AVale Parkway. AS are Banbury commuters which has now opened eyes at Chiltern who are worrying about capacities in those car parks....!

Friday evening out of Padd to Didcot is going to be no fun with Chiltern's commuters from Banbury northwards trying to travel that route....which is why people are thinking of Aylesbury.

Chiltern need to get this right because there's another closure just before the full new TT comes in in May.....

....From April 22 to May 7 inclusive!

Thanks to all of those who clarified the routing of tickets.  Not just the car parks, but will the trains be able to cope as well?  I don't think anything longer than a 6-car can work the Aylesbury to Marylebone route as that's the length of Wendover and the Metropolitan Line operated stations, and these are already presumably busy commuter services picking up all the way into Marylebone?

If demand does indeed outstrip supply, perhaps the April/May block would allow Bicester passengers to go via Oxford and the new massive free car park at Bicester Town could help share the load?

[willc]

It does say right at the bottom of the Chiltern alterations page that the Aylesbury route will be operating a revised timetable but until the journey planners are updated, who knows what that might mean.

[gwr2006]

Chiltern Railways 2-car Class 165 No. 165015 arrived at Didcot Parkway at 13:30 on a proving run from Aylesbury via Claydon, Bicester Town and Oxford.  Displaying "Quainton Road" on the front of the train!

[coachflyer]

Saw a notice at Reading today saying that there were easements on Chiltern tickets over a number of weekends but didn't have time to read fully. Will check when back this afternoon and report back.

[willc]

Have been easements via Oxford for many weekends lately, with many more to come, during blockades at various places between Banbury and London.

There is to be an hourly Banbury-Kings Sutton-Bicester North shuttle train operating on November 5

[IndustryInsider]

Still no exact timings for next Friday appearing on the Chiltern Railways website or the journey planners.  Pretty poor show!

[ChrisB]

Indeed - I've been pushing for these for 10 days now!

[JayMac]

Yes, but what I'm wondering is if they'll have to decide if they want Oxford to London Terminals, set by FGW^▸ (First Great Western), to be valid both ways - AIUI^▸ (as I understand it) this is down to how any routeing guide amendments are made?

According to the Routeing Guide, Oxford to London Terminals is already valid to either Paddington or Marylebone on 'Any Permitted' tickets.

[ChrisB]

That will be in preparation for the Oxford - MYB^▸ (London (Marylebone)) direct service. I doubt XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) would accept it between Oxford & Banbury, for example.

[JayMac]

Don't see why not. The current map shows Banbury so CrossCountry cannot arbitrarily opt out of an 'Any Permitted' fare. If the route is permitted and they run trains on the route then they have to accept the ticket.

In fact I just tried a journey planner and it gives up plenty of options utilising CrossCountry between Oxford and Banbury.

Also a trawl through previous Routeing Guides show that Oxford - London via Chiltern Main Line to Marylebone has been a permitted route for a number of years.

The current map for Oxford - London Terminals is Map CS:



Of course, this map could be modified at a future date with a Bicester routeing point added at the 'junction' (on the map) between Oxford and Banbury. That would then prevent journeys via Banbury as routeing rules forbid travelling through a routeing point twice on one journey.

[inspector_blakey]

Isn't there also an issue because of the back-double caused by passing through Kings Sutton twice...?