Merseytravel Area B Saveaway

[joke2711]

Hi

Some advice please...

My partner works shifts and often travels to and from work by Rail using an Area B Saveaway issued by Merseyrail/Merseytravel.

Her Journey starts and ends in Area B with a change at Hamilton Square. However as Hamilton Square was closed when she started making this journey she would have to change at James Street (with no problems for going out of zone I hasten to add)

Since Hamilton Square has reopened, the journey planner for her journey advises her to change at Hamilton Square and rather than cross from Platform 1 to Platform 3 with an 18 minute wait, stay on Platform 1 for the service 5 minutes later and go into Liverpool and around the loop.

Is this still a valid journey when travelling on an Area B saveaway as technically you are going into a different zone and I wouldn't want her to fall foul of a revenue check? She is able to cross to platform 3 without trouble but deems it better to get on the train than sit on an uninspiring platform for 15 minutes ...

Any help would be appreciated ...

Thanks

 

[Merseysider]

It is not valid to go round the loop on an Area B Saveaway. She would be liable for a Penalty Fare in the extremely unlikely event her ticket was checked between Liverpool stations.

If the journey planner indicates an 18 minute wait, that hints that there might be a 3 minute connection available that isn't shown as it doesn't 'officially' allow enough time.

Walking from Birkenhead Central to Conway Park or vice versa is another way to spend those 18 minutes and not get into trouble.

 

[joke2711]

It is not valid to go round the loop on an Area B Saveaway. She would be liable for a Penalty Fare in the extremely unlikely event her ticket was checked between Liverpool stations.

If the journey planner indicates an 18 minute wait, that hints that there might be a 3 minute connection available that isn't shown as it doesn't 'officially' allow enough time.

Walking from Birkenhead Central to Conway Park or vice versa is another way to spend those 18 minutes and not get into trouble.

The journey plan gives a 5 minute wait on the same platform that would send her around the loop, rather than wait for 19 minutes and cross to platform 3.

For clarity ... she catches the service originating from Ellesmere Port at 2149 and arrives Hamilton Square 2221.

Journey planner states she should catch the 2226 to West Kirby rather than cross to catch it at 2240 from Platform 3

 

[Clip]

Yes but JakeF has pointed out that you cannot use a ticket that is only valid for one area in another area or you will be liable for a penalty fare irrespective of the wait at platforms.

 

[Merseysider]

It doesn't matter that the journey planner shows an itinerary for going round the loop or for changing at Hamilton Square. The first option is only available to passengers who hold point-to-point tickets, or a Saveaway that covers area C as well.