General availability of Day Returns

[DeeGee]

I'm interested in the availability of day returns. When I grew up in Connex-land, everything was a daytrip and would involve a cheap day return. Now I live elsewhere it isn't so easy.

I'm conscious that there's no Day Return for the Grimsby Town-York flow, despite the fact that this could potentially be a common journey, not very long, not forever on a train - a nice day out. Admittedly, the SVR is only a couple of quid more than the single, though.

Reading another thread, I noticed that there IS availability for a CDR from Liverpool Lime Street to Brighton, LM+Southern Only Via Kensington Olympia. Now for me, that wouldn't make a great day out and I suspect it probably doesn't sell very well.

Why do some flows, which could potentially have considerable day-trip traffic, not have Day Returns, while some unlikely flows do?

By the same chalk, what's the longest Day Return available, in terms of either mileage or time?

Are they a product, like Advances, that TOCs can use as they like, or are they regulated?

 

[CyrusWuff]

In general, Day Returns are only available for journeys up to 50 miles. There are exceptions, as you've noticed.

Similarly, period returns are only generally available for journeys over 30 miles (50 miles in the Network Area).

 

[DeeGee]

Thanks, so assuming this Liverpool - Brighton ticket is an anomaly, because it is operator only was it devised by Govia to keep more of the ticket revenue? Is it even intended for use as published - it seems to be a really odd ticket.

Are the Any Permitted version regulated?

 

[John @ home]

The 'Any Permitted' version of which ticket?

The Off-Peak Return Liverpool - Brighton route + Any Permitted is probably a Regulated and Protected fare.

I don't think there are any Regulated Off-Peak Day Return fares.

Anytime Day Return fares in and around major cities are often Regulated.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I do wonder if they have just used a formula to calculate that fare on all flows or similar, without consideration of how sensible it is.

I wonder how many they sell? I guess it is possible - but a very long day out!

 

[DeeGee]

The 'Any Permitted' version of which ticket?

Sorry, I meant "Any Permitted" Cheap Day Return fares, like what I used to buy when I was little. Something like this.

The Off-Peak Return Liverpool - Brighton route + Any Permitted is probably a Regulated and Protected fare.

I don't think there are any Regulated Off-Peak Day Return fares.

Anytime Day Return fares in and around major cities are often Regulated.

Does that also apply to Operator-only tickets such as those between Milton Keynes and London?

Just trying to understand a bit better how this all works.

 

[bnm]

Another long Off Peak Day Return (CDR), certainly in terms of journey time, is Weymouth to Broadstairs (route: via Barnham). Six and a half hours minimum each way! A bargain though at £25. And if you actually want more than a hour on the Kent coast there's the Anytime Day Return (SDR) for £27.60, or the Off Peak Return (SVR) for £29.90

 

[Starmill]

Thanks, so assuming this Liverpool - Brighton ticket is an anomaly, because it is operator only was it devised by Govia to keep more of the ticket revenue? Is it even intended for use as published - it seems to be a really odd ticket.

Are the Any Permitted version regulated?

I wouldn't call it an anomaly as such that there is a Southern + LM ONLY Off-Peak Day return from Liverpool to Glynde that cannot give you more than about an hour in Glynde - it's just the typical nonsensical pricing that private companies engage in. Take a bow, Northern. Take a bow Crosscountry. Take a bow Virgin Trains, many times!

There's nothing wrong with these fares, it's just that the TOCs aren't paying attention, oh how I would love to get in there and have a look how it really works.

 

[Hadders]

Liverpool - Brigton pre-dates Govia by some distance!

How about Kings Lynn-Exeter St David's via Honiton off peak day return at £98.60. A fair distance but not cheap.

Far better value and more few old time wise is Preston-Edinburgh off peak day return at £39.00.

 

[Starmill]

Liverpool - Brigton pre-dates Govia by some distance!

Route ✠SOUTHERN&LON MID, really?

 

[DeeGee]

Liverpool - Brigton pre-dates Govia by some distance!

How about Kings Lynn-Exeter St David's via Honiton off peak day return at £98.60. A fair distance but not cheap.

I can see that one as being a hangover from the old Network South East Region, though, isn't it? You can't buy a CDR from Plymouth to London, though, can you? Although I notice you can by a Travelcard! That's a more feasible journey - in fact, I've done it.

First "Saver Return" I ever bought was from Maidstone East to Ipswich. Now, that's not an unreasonable journey do do in a day, all in the Network, but no Day return available. I was travelling for a football match, so I did go there and back in the day.

I get the impression, though I could be completely wrong, that there's an abundance of Day Returns from many destinations to London, quite a few from other major cities to major tourist destinations such as Brighton, but no necessarily between other destinations with less direct commercial or tourist trade. Are they generally only there because of demand, do we reckon?