Dorchester Connections

[whole diary]

[ReWind]

I'm on the journey planner on the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) website planning a little jolly to Bournemouth for the end of the month.  I'd like to go down via Weymouth as this is a line I have never been down before.  I'll come back the usual via Southampton way.

However, after entering my requirements into the journey planner, it's telling me to alight at Dorchester West and walk to Dorchester South to continue my journey.

Is this normal?

Would a Yate to Bournemouth saver return not be valid all the way to Weymouth and back out?

I'm a little aprehensive about going this way now as i'll have luggage and a small child with me, therefore a walk in unfamiliar terrority is unappealing, especially if it rains too. 






 

[Kingfisherdart]

The walk from West to South is only 5 minutes - but, as you say, it's not great if it's unfamiliar to you.

I don't think that ticket would be valid into Weymouth (correct me if I'm wrong.) Your cheapest bet would probably be to buy a return from Dorchester to Upwey, and change at Upwey - some connections that cannnot be made in time at Weymouth, can be made at Upwey.

Other than a walk, or the above suggestion, Weymouth it is!

Regards

[Timmer]

The interchanging between Dorchester West and South stations by the mode of transport called Walk is quite common. I believe you can go into Weymouth if you need to change trains from one train to the next and I'm sure someone will clarify what the paramiters are for being able to do this.

[JayMac]

Changing at Weymouth is perfectly valid. Have checked FGW^▸ (First Great Western) journey planner and others. All allow the option.

The National Routeing Guide also concurs, with a specific easement listed:

300356 Customers travelling from Bournemouth or Branksome via Dorchester West may travel via Weymouth. This easement applies in both directions.

[inspector_blakey]

You should be able to force the change at Weymouth and get journey times using the "via" option on the NRES^▸ (National Rail Enquiry Service) journey planner, which assuming it's "on-message" with the Routeing Guide should also be able to produce the appropriate fares.

[Kingfisherdart]

Ah excellent! Will certainly bear the Weymouth allowance in mind!

[TheLastMinute]

Yes, travel via Weymouth is allowed for all journeys that pass though Dorchester West and South as both these stations plus Upwey and Weymouth are part of the Weymouth Group.

GROUP STATIONS
Some stations are grouped together to improve interchange between trains by offering customers access to a wider choice of train services and station facilities. A customer may travel via any station in such a group, including doubling back, provided that the group is on one of the permitted routes between their origin and destination stations. This extended availability is for interchange purposes only and  does not apply where the origin or destination stations are part of a group.

ReWind, I note that a Off peak return (SVR) Yate to Bournemouth route either Yeovil or Salisbury is ^31.70. It may save you a few ^ to get a SVR from Yate to Weymouth route Yeovil for ^23.30 and then excess the return leg to route Salisbury for ^4.70 and break your journey at Bournemouth saving ^3.70. Just make sure that they don't take your ticket off you when you exit at Bournemouth, those SWT^▸ (South West Trains) RPI^▸ (Revenue Protection Inspector, or Retail Price Index, depending on context)'s can be quite, umm, keen!

Cheers,
TLM

[ReWind]

Thanks for that info, TLM.  Anything that saves money is worth doing, so I will certainly make use of your advice.

Will go via Weymouth now then.  Lunch at Weymouth it is.

Cheers all.

[The Grecian]

As lukefarley says, you can also change at Upwey which can allow you to make some connections that Weymouth wouldn't. Having said that, facilities in the immediate vicinity of the station are best described as limited compared to Weymouth.