Tottenham - Cambridge: First Class cheaper!?

[ChristopherJ]

Just researching fares for a return journey from Tottenham Hale to Cambridge this afternoon, according to TheTrainLine it is cheaper to travel in First Class than Standard Class!? I have also checked the Greater Anglia website and it quotes exactly the same fares. Is this correct?

Photo attached:

 

[Ivo]

That £21 fare also exists in the NFM system. It is however specified as being valid on NXEA - now GA obviously - only, so no XC Stansted Turbostars.

 

[island]

The first class is route GRT ANGTRNS ONLY whereas the Standard is NOT VIA LONDON. Ticket type is FCD OFF-PEAK R, restriction J8 (barred from TOM northbound before 0940 and from 1641 to 1840).

 

[Mike395]

NFM11 agrees with you! The Off Peak Day 1st Return appears to be cheaper than the Off Peak Day Return, quite an anomaly if you plan to travel on Greater Anglia - successor to NXEA - anyway! (Main difference the Off-Peak Day Return is routed Not London, the 1st ticket is routed NXEA Only - not sure whether there are any additional routes permitted on the Not London ticket)

 

[Ivo]

NFM11 agrees with you! The Off Peak Day 1st Return appears to be cheaper than the Off Peak Day Return, quite an anomaly if you plan to travel on NXEA anyway! (Main difference the Off-Peak Day Return is routed Not London, the 1st ticket is routed NXEA Only - not sure whether there are any additional routes permitted on the Not London ticket)

See my post above (#2) - you won't be able to use XC from SSD.

 

[jopsuk]

It is quite odd. Be aware that there is a "Greater Anglia Only" Standard Off Peak Day Return from Liverpool Street to Cambridge at £18.60

 

[Failed Unit]

Would you be able to travel vai Finsbury Park on a not London ticket? Not done a 379 so don't know what 1st class is like, but i would rather travel standard on a 317/6 than first on a 317/5 or 317/8

If I walked up to the booking office at Tottenham Hale and asked for an off-peak return would the be oblidged to sell the 1st class ticket as it is the cheapest for the journey I wish to make? Not many people would take the non-direct trains.

 

[John @ home]

Would you be able to travel via Finsbury Park on a not London ticket?

A Tottenham Hale - Cambridge route + Not Via London ticket is valid via Victoria Line & Finsbury Park.

If I walked up to the booking office at Tottenham Hale and asked for an off-peak return would they be obliged to sell the 1st class ticket as it is the cheapest for the journey I wish to make?

The staff should seek to identify the passenger's requirement where necessary. In this instance a First Class Off-Peak Day Return Tottenham Hale - Cambridge route NXEA Trains Only ticket, if it still exists, would not be valid via Victoria Line & Finsbury Park.