Another round of Fare Increases

[whole diary]

[plejaren]

Yeh.

Taking a National Express example:

Kings Cross - Edinburgh
Current SVR ^168
May SVR ^171.40

whats a svr
you cant mean saver return
as saver returns arent THAT expensive
its off peak return now

and no im not trying to critcise you
id just like to know what a svr is

[thetrout]

That does mean Off Peak Return

When they changed the ticket names, they didn't change any of the ticket codes. For example:

Off Peak Day Return ticket which used to be Cheap Day Return, still uses the same code CDR^▸ (Off Peak Day Return [ticket type] (formerly 'Cheap Day'))

Same as a Standard Off Peak Return still uses SVR as the ticketing code

Hope that explains it

[plejaren]

it does

and hang on how is it that expensive

i went to newcastle recently and it was with a railcard around 68 and without about 110

how is edinburgh so much more expensive

it cant be that much futher

[thetrout]

Bearing in mind it's over 100 Miles...!

If you buy a Return to Bristol, It's cheaper than a Return to Bath Spa. Which is logical... But when you go via Westbury which is a valid route... It becomes more expensive, for a shorter distance journey...! I can't work that out myself...

Equally I bought a First Class Off Peak return from Taunton - Bristol Parkway yesterday, which is the same price as Bristol Temple Meads, yet it's further up the line...!

Same as Bristol Parkway - Chippenham, Same price from Filton Abbey Wood and Bristol Temple Meads! I worked that out for travelling to evening classes after college once a week

[plejaren]

yes stupid fares

just like a off peak return and off peak single are about 30 pence difference sometimes!!

[plejaren]

anyone ever wondered what the companies are smoking when you see fares such as single 50.20 and return 50.40 ?

[devon_metro]

Yeh.

Taking a National Express example:

Kings Cross - Edinburgh
Current SVR ^168
May SVR ^171.40

whats a svr
you cant mean saver return
as saver returns arent THAT expensive
its off peak return now

and no im not trying to critcise you
id just like to know what a svr is

Clearly they are that expensive...!

[Zoe]

As talked about in another thread, the TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company) expect you to book in advance if you want to travel at an affordable price now.

[willc]

As talked about in another thread, the TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company) expect you to book in advance if you want to travel at an affordable price now.

I think that's what's called a gross - and pretty inaccurate - generalisation - I don't think anyone could seriously call many FGW^▸ (First Great Western) walk-up off-peak fares unaffordable, especially not if you are in an area where a railcard can be used as well - eg Network Card area, Devon & Cornwall, Cotswold Line. I consider my ^5.30 Moreton-in-Marsh to Oxford CDR^▸ (Off Peak Day Return [ticket type] (formerly 'Cheap Day')) on a Cotswold Railcard excellent value, it's less than petrol would cost alone, never mind putting another 60 miles on the clock on the car if I did drive - and less than i was paying last year, thanks to a fare cut in January, one of quite a number in the Thames Valley and Cotswolds, following up those in the South West mentioned previously.

That's not to say that some peak fares are value for money, nor can it be denied that there are lots of anomalies about, but that's been the case ever since they stopped charging by distance travelled.

[inspector_blakey]

CDR^▸ (Off Peak Day Return [ticket type] (formerly 'Cheap Day')) Oxford to Bristol ^17.80, or ^11.75 with railcard. Absolute bargain - try travelling by car city centre to city centre and parking for that!

And, incidentally, it's almost impossible to beat the CDR fare for that journey using a combination of Advance fares 

The off-peak return fare back to the parents' in west Wales (^47.50 with railcard, but I still wouldn't baulk at ^73.00 without) also offers total flexibility for a journey of some 200 miles each way and again, in my book represents good value.

[Zoe]

Sorry, I was not clear I was referring to intercity fares to and from London.  As I said in another thread I find the Devon & Cornwall off peak day returns very good value.