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JayMac
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« on: January 22, 2018, 18:44:29 » |
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I'm sans automobile for a few days so I've been looking at rail travel from my nearest station. I thought I'd go into Taunton by bus to Axminster and then train, just for a bit of rail mileage. The direct bus from Chard is obviously the most sensible option, but I've not been on the rails for a while.
So, looking at fares from Axminster to Taunton:
Off Peak Day Return <via Exeter> (valid after 0929) £17.60
Off Peak Return <via Exeter> (valid after 0833) £17.40
Both have no evening restrictions. What point is there in having the Off Peak Day Return when the less restrictive Off Peak Return is cheaper? I can catch the 0905 from Axminster with the latter. With the former I'd have to wait until 1005.
Bonkers. And I wonder what I'd be sold if I asked at Axminster for the cheapest ticket to Taunton, coming back the same day. I might just do that tomorrow!
Any other examples of pointless fares forumites are aware of?
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"Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for the rest of the day. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life."
- Sir Terry Pratchett.
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lordgoata
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« Reply #1 on: January 22, 2018, 21:33:58 » |
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Given the punctuality, reliability, availability and consistency these day, most of the GWR▸ fares are pointless  |
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Worcester_Passenger
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« Reply #2 on: January 22, 2018, 22:17:39 » |
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Some time ago I came across Newquay - Ealing Broadway, route Not London, with prices for seven-day seasons, both First and Standard.
Needless to say the timetable was such that it was impossible to do the round trip within the day.
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johnneyw
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« Reply #3 on: January 22, 2018, 23:05:36 » |
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Bustitution▸ where a bus fare is the cheaper and no less speedy alternative. Bristol to Bath springs to mind. Bus fares certainly were cheaper and maybe still are.
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grahame
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« Reply #4 on: January 23, 2018, 07:19:10 » |
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For £29.20 you can buy yourself a 7 day season from Pilning to Bristol Temple Meads |
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Coffee Shop Admin, Acting Chair of Melksham Rail User Group, Option 24/7 Melksham Rep
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grahame
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« Reply #5 on: January 23, 2018, 08:20:20 » |
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Anytime Day Return, Severn Tunnel Junction to Bristol Temple Meads - £8.80
Off Peak Day Return, Severn Tunnel Junction to Bristol Temple Meads - £8.80
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Coffee Shop Admin, Acting Chair of Melksham Rail User Group, Option 24/7 Melksham Rep
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froome
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« Reply #6 on: January 23, 2018, 08:59:57 » |
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For £29.20 you can buy yourself a 7 day season from Pilning to Bristol Temple Meads And what would happen if someone purchased one (for instance online)? Is the onus on the passenger to ascertain first whether services exist, or assume that a ticket being sold means they do. I would have thought the latter, and that GWR▸ would face a lot of adverse publicity. |
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JayMac
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« Reply #7 on: January 23, 2018, 09:34:33 » |
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For £29.20 you can buy yourself a 7 day season from Pilning to Bristol Temple Meads Local easement allows tickets from Pilning to also be valid at Severn Beach. SVB- BRI» 7 day season is £9.00. So for the extra £20.20 you can use the two trains that call Pilning on Saturdays. Oh and you can double back via Severn Tunnel Junction or Newport if travelling from Bristol TM‡ to Pilning. Bargain!  |
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"Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for the rest of the day. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life."
- Sir Terry Pratchett.
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WelshBluebird
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« Reply #8 on: January 23, 2018, 10:20:29 » |
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Won't that kind of thing be down to one fare being regulated and the other not? So the more restrictive ticket was probably at one point a fair bit cheaper.
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IndustryInsider
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« Reply #9 on: January 23, 2018, 10:47:30 » |
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Some time ago I came across Newquay - Ealing Broadway, route Not London, with prices for seven-day seasons, both First and Standard.
Needless to say the timetable was such that it was impossible to do the round trip within the day.
Might that not have proven to be the best value fare if, in the unlikely event, you were doing six single trips over six consecutive days, first train in the morning, between the two? Cheaper than a 7-day rover. Just. Having suggested that, I doubt anyone has ever bought one.  |
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To view my GWML▸ Electrification cab video 'before and after' video comparison, as well as other videos of the new layout at Reading and 'before and after' comparisons of the Cotswold Line Redoubling scheme, see: http://www.dailymotion.com/user/IndustryInsider/ |
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JayMac
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« Reply #10 on: January 23, 2018, 17:04:18 » |
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Won't that kind of thing be down to one fare being regulated and the other not? So the more restrictive ticket was probably at one point a fair bit cheaper.
In which case, the operator should get rid of the pointless fare, rather than potentially overcharge customers. |
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"Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for the rest of the day. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life."
- Sir Terry Pratchett.
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ChrisB
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« Reply #11 on: January 23, 2018, 17:05:48 » |
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Quite possibly is unaware its out there, especially if it's been there for years.
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Fourbee
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« Reply #12 on: January 23, 2018, 17:08:01 » |
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Won't that kind of thing be down to one fare being regulated and the other not? So the more restrictive ticket was probably at one point a fair bit cheaper.
In which case, the operator should get rid of the pointless fare, rather than potentially overcharge customers. What you mean like...a fares simplification? ...oh I forgot the last one was an exercise in renaming |
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JayMac
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« Reply #13 on: January 23, 2018, 17:35:26 » |
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I've asked GWR▸ via Twitter why the pointless fare. Query referred to Fares Team. Let's see whether they try to justify, or instead, agree its pointless and reduce the price or remove. I made the query at Axminster station this morning. Asked for cheapest fare to Taunton after 1000 returning the same day. Was offered the Off Peak Day Return. No surprise there. I showed the clerk the error of their ways! They went above and beyond taking notes to feedback to SWR» bosses. Who in turn, I hope, will feed back to GWR who set the fares. It is only 20p I know. But I'd rather such errors were in favour of the passenger rather than the big bad corperation. |
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"Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for the rest of the day. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life."
- Sir Terry Pratchett.
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martyjon
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« Reply #14 on: January 23, 2018, 18:08:45 » |
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... I'd rather such errors were in favour of the passenger rather than the big bad corperation.
But you bet your bottom dollar (20p) that it'll be the other way.  |
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