Split ticketing and disruption/cancellation

[BrianTheLion]

Apologies if this has been discussed previously, I couldnt find anything relevant via the search option.

Say for example I had booked a train from Edinburgh to Kings Cross leaving at 10:00 via Doncaster and I had a split from Edinburgh to Doncaster, then Doncaster to London.

Now if this train was to be cancelled for whatever reason and I was told to board the next Kings Cross train (10:30) how would a split work in this scenario as this train wouldnt stop at Doncaster, and the next one to stop at Doncaster wouldnt leave until 12:00.

Would I be able to travel on the 10:30 with a split or would I be forced to wait 2 hrs for the next Doncaster train because of the way the split was purchased?

 

[DaveNewcastle]

Now if this train was to be cancelled for whatever reason and I was told to board the next Kings Cross train (10:30) . . . .

If you are told to board the 10:30 then board it as instructed.
I'm assuming that when you are 'told to board', that this instruction comes from someone who is fully aware of the tickets you hold.

There is no automatic right to be conveyed on an alternative service which doesn't stop at the 'splitting point' but it would be surprising if, following a cancellation, you were not given that permission. But you should not presume that permission will always be given.

However, as with most instances of being 'told by the man on the platform', it is always worth checking that a) their advice is fully informed by your actual tickets, b) they are adequately authorised to approve your travel on the alternative train (the train guard would be the best person to ask), and c) if they will not be the guard on your service all the way to your final destination, then they mark your ticket for you to demonstrate to subsequent ticket examiners that you have been authorised.

In my experience of East Coast staff during disruption, such permission will be granted if the Guard is asked before departure.

 

[BrianTheLion]

Thanks for the above....

Ive noticed a few disruptions on the ECML lately and it was a scenario that I thought about because a lot of people seem to use splits these days...

I think ill just stick to a simple A to B fare, couldnt be bothered with the potential hassle!

 

[Ferret]

Thanks for the above....

Ive noticed a few disruptions on the ECML lately and it was a scenario that I thought about because a lot of people seem to use splits these days...

I think ill just stick to a simple A to B fare, couldnt be bothered with the potential hassle!

Just get the staff at the station to endorse the tickets if that scenario confronted you. As a Guard, I'd be fine with it anyway - no different to accepting an advance on a later train after delays/cancellations.

 

[Marton]

On a similar theme we have previously had posted the fares manula section for split advance tickets when there is a delay.

I understand that to mean a Journey is A to C, if Advance Tickets are held A-B, and B-C.

What is the position of one holds Off Peak and Open tickets with a split?

I sometimes do A-E, with tickets A-B, and B-D, but change at C or D. The train always stops at C.

If I am delayed is there a duty to get me to D if i miss the last train because of delays before B?

 

[redthunder]

I had a refund claim on a split advance ticket that I did with Cross Country, and surprisingly I got both of the sections of the journey refunded even though they layed on a replacement train at Birmingham due to the delay. I also had my 2nd half endorced too after Birmingham due to a change of crew. So it should be okies, but I agree never take it all for granted, all you need is one funny train manager/guard on the journey and it could be disasterous and you could be left out of pocket!!!!!!! So always make sure its okayed with the train manager/guard on duty in such a situation (ideally before the train leaves, just to cover your back really)

 

[DaveNewcastle]

On a similar theme we have previously had posted the fares manula section for split advance tickets when there is a delay.

. . . .

What is the position of one holds Off Peak and Open tickets with a split?

I wonder if there might be a slight misunderstanding here.
The reason for being so concerned about travel with "Advance" tickets is that they are only valid on specific trains; miss the train and the ticket is worthless.
Clearly, there is a concern that a passenger might miss a booked train for a variety of reasons, but if the reason is a delay caused by an earlier connecting train arriving late, then the Railway operators will honour the Advance ticket for the missed train (because the passenger missed it as a consequence of a problem with the railways).

In your example, travelling on Off Peak or Open (i.e. "Anytime") tickets, this concern simply doesn't arise, as the tickets will still be valid on later trains. A delay to a connecting service can't undermine the validity of an 'open' ticket which can be used (as the name suggests) on any service.

Perhaps there is an exception where a delayed earlier service will cause a passenger to join a later train after an evening 'peak period' has begun and where they held an Off-Peak ticket. In that case, I would expect the passenger to approach the Guard of the 'peak' service and explain that the dealy to the connecting service was the only reason for failing to travel during the off-peak, and I would expect the ticket to be honoured, following the process explained above in respect of Advances.

So it should be okies, but I agree never take it all for granted, all you need is one funny train manager/guard on the journey and it could be disasterous and you could be left out of pocket!!!!!!! So always make sure its okayed with the train manager/guard on duty in such a situation (ideally before the train leaves, just to cover your back really)

Your conclusion is quite correct, but I don't quite agree with your reasonsing!
Its got nothing to do with a "funny train manager/guard". Its quite correct that they should be insisting that holders of Advance tickets only travel on the service stated on their tickets. As we know, one of the commonest errors on board is passengers travelling on the wrong service with an Advance; its a Guard's duty to disqualify such a passenger's ticket.
By approaching the Guard before boarding a later train, you are giving them the opportunity to verify that whatever earlier service was delayed was, indeed delayed, and as a result, giving them the opportunity to offer you the right to travel on their leter service.