Northampton - London Z1-6 Off Peak Travelcard

[IanD]

My friend has bought the above and now finds that she may need to return from London earlier than 7pm. Am I correct in thinking that the return restriction only applies if she boards at Euston so she would be OK catching a Southern Train from West Brompton/Kensington Olympia towards Milton Keynes or even a London Midland train from Harrow and Wealdstone (using the Bakerloo/Overground to get there) and changing from either service on to a Northampton train further north.

Or we she be better off trying to get a refund/exchange for a peak ticket or a Northampton to Boundary Zone 4 ticket and a z1-4 travelcard which has no evening restrictions? (She has a senior railcard).

 

[causton]

The restriction for the ticket is:

Return Travel
Not valid on any train
departing London Terminals
between 1645 and 1900
inclusive.

Now this means they could use a Southern train to Milton Keynes Central (as that doesn't touch a London Terminal) but go no further... the restriction applies wherever you board as long as the train comes from London Terminals. Only problem with getting the SN train is that it's not the fastest option and isn't as frequent as LM!

You could buy a single for £5.65 from MKC-NMP if doing the above (with Senior discount) which would probably be cheaper?

 

[bangor-toad]

Hi there,
There are no evening restrictions if you travel from Rugby.

A LM One Day Travelcard is £31 from Rugby compared to £29.80 from Northampton so there's not much additional cost. (Those fares are before any railcard discount).

Of course this probably isn't helpful if you don't live on the right side of Northampton...

Jason

 

[island]

Hi there,
There are no evening restrictions if you travel from Rugby.

A LM One Day Travelcard is £31 from Rugby compared to £29.80 from Northampton so there's not much additional cost. (Those fares are before any railcard discount).

Of course this probably isn't helpful if you don't live on the right side of Northampton...

Jason

But before anyone suggests starting short, it would be in breach of the ticket conditions and result in an excess fare of £25.75. An off-peak day Travelcard from RUGBY (1087) to LONDON ZONES 1-6 (0035) route LDN MIDLAND ONLY (42) carries restriction SK, which prohibits break of journey on the outward leg.

 

[bnm]

Could the Travelcard be purchased from Northampton and then over-distanced excessed to Rugby prior to making the return journey?

Then the OP wouldn't have to start their journey at Rugby and would be free to end the return journey short at Northampton as the excess would make the ticket valid to Rugby in the evening peak and there are no restrictions on ending the journey short on the return leg.

 

[IanD]

Could the Travelcard be purchased from Northampton and then over-distanced excessed to Rugby prior to making the return journey?

Then the OP wouldn't have to start their journey at Rugby and would be free to end the return journey short at Northampton as the excess would make the ticket valid to Rugby in the evening peak and there are no restrictions on ending the journey short on the return leg.

I like the sound of this.

If such an excess is possible then presumably the excess would be 75p at the most?

Could she excess the return before she set off as long as she makes it clear that she needs to now return to Rugby rather than that she wants to return early?

 

[island]

As there is no LDN MIDLAND ONLY Travelcard from Northampton, you would be excessing from ANY PERMITTED to LDN MIDLAND ONLY, which might not be accepted without some proof the outbound journey was on LM. Also, you could get an issue with the booking office clerk insisting you purchase a change of ticket type excess as your real intention is to go back during the evening peak rather than go to Rugby.

 

[transportphoto]

If the excess is possible it should be the full difference at £1.20.

TP

 

[IanD]

Thanks for all the advice. In the end she decided to come back on the last afternoon off-peak service at 16:13!