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Excessing a return portion of ticket

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WelshBluebird

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Got a bit of a question here.

I have an unused return portion of an Anytime Oldfield Park to Cardiff Central ticket. I would like to use this on Friday, but because of certain timing issues, I would rather start at Bath Spa instead of Oldfield Park (Bath Spa is one station further from Cardiff than Oldfield Park is).

I popped into Bath Spa station today (as I was passing - and I will be rushing on Friday) to enquire about excessing it and I was told that as the outward portion of the ticket was used, I could no longer excess the return portion. My only options were to buy a Bath Spa to Oldfield park ticket, but the train must then stop at Oldfield Park for me to change over which ticket I am using (I know this bit is correct regarding split ticketing - and the Bath - Cardiff trains don't stop at Oldfield Park) or to buy a ticket from Bath Spa to Bristol Temple Meads (and then swap onto my current ticket at Bristol).

Just want to double check this is actually the case (or not).
Cheers.
 
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ian13

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Got a bit of a question here.

I have an unused return portion of an Anytime Oldfield Park to Cardiff Central ticket. I would like to use this on Friday, but because of certain timing issues, I would rather start at Bath Spa instead of Oldfield Park (Bath Spa is one station further from Cardiff than Oldfield Park is).

I popped into Bath Spa station today (as I was passing - and I will be rushing on Friday) to enquire about excessing it and I was told that as the outward portion of the ticket was used, I could no longer excess the return portion. My only options were to buy a Bath Spa to Oldfield park ticket, but the train must then stop at Oldfield Park for me to change over which ticket I am using (I know this bit is correct regarding split ticketing - and the Bath - Cardiff trains don't stop at Oldfield Park) or to buy a ticket from Bath Spa to Bristol Temple Meads (and then swap onto my current ticket at Bristol).

Just want to double check this is actually the case (or not).
Cheers.

Just to confirm, you purchased an Anytime Return from Cardiff Central to Oldfield Park, and have the return portion unused?

I believe that an over-distance excess on the return portion can be issued (despite used outward portion being used), and the excess should be: £0.
 

WelshBluebird

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Just to confirm, you purchased an Anytime Return from Cardiff Central to Oldfield Park, and have the return portion unused?

I believe that an over-distance excess on the return portion can be issued (despite used outward portion being used), and the excess should be: £0.

Correct.

I don't really have the time to argue it at the station though (certainly won't have the time on Friday, and am pretty busy tomorrow too).

Thinking of it, I will need to go from Oldfield Park to Cardiff next week too, so will probably just use my current ticket next week (it is valid until May 12th), and buy a new ticket for this week.

Thanks though!
 

aleph_0

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From memory, didn't you previously mention an easement that journeys to/from Oldfield Park may go via. Bath Spa? If so, is it possible to start your Oldfield Park-Cardiff via. Bath Spa journey short at Bath Spa?
 

Brucey

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From memory, didn't you previously mention an easement that journeys to/from Oldfield Park may go via. Bath Spa? If so, is it possible to start your Oldfield Park-Cardiff via. Bath Spa journey short at Bath Spa?

There is no easement, but as the distance between the two stations is just 1 miles and 1 chain, doubling back would be allowed by the 3 mile rule (provided the shortest distance is taken for the rest of the journey).

So the OP need not excess their ticket, simple start the journey at the intermediate station of Bath Spa.
 

ian13

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From memory, didn't you previously mention an easement that journeys to/from Oldfield Park may go via. Bath Spa? If so, is it possible to start your Oldfield Park-Cardiff via. Bath Spa journey short at Bath Spa?

Can't spot one in the current routeing guide easements section.

Edit: Brucey is right though. Doubling back that distance wouldn't be an issue.
 

tony_mac

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That was for excessing the outward portion, which has been used.

I think it would be rather absurd if you couldn't get an excess on an unused return portion, otherwise there wouldn't be much point in getting an excess.
Eastcoast's excess rules certainly imply that you can (as, in some circumstances, you need to show proof of outward travel).

But, nothing would surprise me at the moment.
 

hairyhandedfool

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Over-distance (over-riding) is for traveling beyond the destination station shown on the ticket (source: The Manual). To excess the origin of the return portion, you would have to excess the destination of the outward ticket for travel in both directions.
 

WelshBluebird

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Seems a bit of confusing over the excess thing then.
But seems like I don't need it anyway. Never thought about starting short, even though I have broke the journey at Bath Spa before (which got a few questionable looks from the gateline assistant!)
Will see how much time I have when I get to Bath Spa station tomorrow (I don't fancy having to argue with the gateline assistant if I don't have much time until the train is due!).
Thanks for all the replies though.
 

Aictos

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Over-distance (over-riding) is for traveling beyond the destination station shown on the ticket (source: The Manual). To excess the origin of the return portion, you would have to excess the destination of the outward ticket for travel in both directions.

Just I understand it properly if a passenger brought a Anytime Day Return Finsbury Park to Stevenage if they wanted to travel to Kings Cross on the return portion of their tickets then they would have excess the tickets to London Terminals to Stevenage right?

How much would the excess be priced as well?
 

yorkie

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Just I understand it properly if a passenger brought a Anytime Day Return Finsbury Park to Stevenage if they wanted to travel to Kings Cross on the return portion of their tickets then they would have excess the tickets to London Terminals to Stevenage right?

How much would the excess be priced as well?
This excess is possible, the price is £0.00 as the fare is the same, but good luck getting such an excess, especially a zero one! Knowledge of excess fares is poor among many ticket offices. King's Cross are not good at it (despite EC generally being good), no idea about Stevenage but probably not as it's managed by FCC!

I really would not rely on getting an over-distance excess, and instead buy the ticket from Kings Cross and start short. It's the same price and a lot less hassle. Even if it cost a few pence more, the faffing around isn't worth it!

You do not need to worry about change of route & ticket type excesses as if the ticket office can't do them the price is the same on board.

An over distance excess is a different kettle of fish, and must be bought before travel (where facilities exist). What is not clear, is if your excess is refused at the ticket office, does that class as having no facilities? Hmm...! I'd certainly not be risking it on FCC. If I taking EC then approaching the guard, explaining the ticket office could not do it, may see it correctly issued.
 

Aictos

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This excess is possible, the price is £0.00 as the fare is the same, but good luck getting such an excess, especially a zero one! Knowledge of excess fares is poor among many ticket offices. King's Cross are not good at it (despite EC generally being good), no idea about Stevenage but probably not as it's managed by FCC!

I really would not rely on getting an over-distance excess, and instead buy the ticket from Kings Cross and start short. It's the same price and a lot less hassle. Even if it cost a few pence more, the faffing around isn't worth it!

You do not need to worry about change of route & ticket type excesses as if the ticket office can't do them the price is the same on board.

An over distance excess is a different kettle of fish, and must be bought before travel (where facilities exist). What is not clear, is if your excess is refused at the ticket office, does that class as having no facilities? Hmm...! I'd certainly not be risking it on FCC. If I taking EC then approaching the guard, explaining the ticket office could not do it, may see it correctly issued.

If the passenger had already travelled to Stevenage on the outbound part of their tickets and wanted to travel to Kings Cross on the return portion then the booking offices at Stevenage could excess their tickets for £0.00 then?
 
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