Levenshulme-Huddersfield commute

[tomoufc]

Hi,

I've been looking at ways of saving money on my commute from Levenshulme to Huddersfield (actually the commute is from Levenshulme to Leeds, but I have an M card that covers me from Huddersfield to Leeds).

I found out yesterday that it is cheaper to get an off-peak return from Huddersfield to Levenshulme than it is to get an off-peak return from Levenshulme to Huddersfield, because the latter doesn't give me a saving using my 16-25 railcard due to the minimum spend on anytime tickets using a railcard. I asked for a return from Huddersfield to Levenshulme yesterday at Leeds station. I was offered a ticket at £9.20 (as opposed to the £12 if I buy a ticket in the reverse direction). Although this is an off-peak ticket, the counter staff said that I would be able to use the return portion at peak time. I have done so today, but was this advice correct?

Looking at BR fares it shows the £9.20 ticket with a 16-25 railcard, but also says that 'minimum fare of £12 may apply'.

Using NR's journey planner I cannot find this £9.20 fare, when inputting a HUD to LVM evening journey, with an early morning peak return the next working day using a 16-25 railcard, only the £12 fare. Perhaps I was sold this ticket incorrectly?

Thanks for your help, lovely ticket people.

 

[CyrusWuff]

The £12 minimum fare applies if either leg of the journey starts between 0430 and 0959 Mondays to Fridays (excluding public holidays and in July & August), and ticket office staff are supposed to check when you intend to travel so they apply the minimum fare correctly.

The ticket restrictions vary depending on which way round you buy the ticket:

Levenshulme to Huddersfield is not valid on trains timed to deoart between 04:30 and 08:30.

Huddersfield to Levenshulme, meanwhile, is not valid on trains arriving at Manchester Stations (Deansgate, Oxford Road, Piccadilly and Victoria) before 0930.

One thing to be aware of, however, is that if you buy them the "wrong" way round, the outward portion IS NOT valid without the unused return portion.

 

[bb21]

As above, you cannot get around the £12 minimum fare if you need to travel before 10am on a weekday, for either leg of your journey (except July and August). If you travel before that time with a discounted ticket under that fare, you will be expected to pay an excess fare.

 

[yorkie]

Hi,

I've been looking at ways of saving money on my commute from Levenshulme to Huddersfield (actually the commute is from Levenshulme to Leeds, but I have an M card that covers me from Huddersfield to Leeds).

I found out yesterday that it is cheaper to get an off-peak return from Huddersfield to Levenshulme than it is to get an off-peak return from Levenshulme to Huddersfield, because the latter doesn't give me a saving using my 16-25 railcard due to the minimum spend on anytime tickets using a railcard.

The minimum fare applies to most ticket types before 1000 during September to June (inclusive)

It's worth noting that Advance tickets are exempt from any minimum, however they are not available for your journey.

I asked for a return from Huddersfield to Levenshulme yesterday at Leeds station. I was offered a ticket at £9.20 (as opposed to the £12 if I buy a ticket in the reverse direction). Although this is an off-peak ticket, the counter staff said that I would be able to use the return portion at peak time. I have done so today, but was this advice correct?

Unfortunately that was incorrect information, except during July & August.

Looking at BR fares it shows the £9.20 ticket with a 16-25 railcard, but also says that 'minimum fare of £12 may apply'.

Using NR's journey planner I cannot find this £9.20 fare, when inputting a HUD to LVM evening journey, with an early morning peak return the next working day using a 16-25 railcard, only the £12 fare. Perhaps I was sold this ticket incorrectly?

Thanks for your help, lovely ticket people.

That's right, you were given wrong info at the ticket office. A Guard would be entitled to charge you an excess fare of £2.80.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
If you can say what time you need to arrive into Huddersfield, if you are commuting during July & August, I think there is scope for making some savings during those months...

 

[34D]

Do you do any travel at a weekend that could make the £60.40 weekly season offer better value compared to £12 x 5 days (ie trips to Manchester etc)? Sadly the season Levenshulme to Marsden is the same price.

I assume your M-Card is green (assumption made because of the YP railcard reference)? If it's pink you would save a couple of pounds by splitting your tickets at Dewsbury instead.

Is your destination Leeds city centre or do you take a bus?

 

[ASharpe]

Would this be a valid 19C split?

Manchester traincard at £28.90
Greenfield to Marsden 7DS at £27.30
Green 16-25 M-Card

This would be slightly cheaper than 5*£12 and give you weekend travel in Manchester on the trains.

 

[Merseysider]

As above, you cannot get around the £12 minimum fare if you need to travel before 10am on a weekday, for either leg of your journey (except July and August). If you travel before that time with a discounted ticket under that fare, you will be expected to pay an excess fare.

I agree with your post, but wish to raise a point of caution. I was once told at Salford Crescent upon arrival that an £11.80 ticket (16-25) was not valid before 10am at all and when I offered the 20p extra, I was just told 'you're alright but remember your ticket isn't valid if it's under the minimum fare'.

 

[Solent&Wessex]

Would this be a valid 19C split?

Manchester traincard at £28.90
Greenfield to Marsden 7DS at £27.30
Green 16-25 M-Card

This would be slightly cheaper than 5*£12 and give you weekend travel in Manchester on the trains.

Yes, that would be valid. They cover the entire journey and one ticket is a season ticket and the others are not.

 

[34D]

Would this be a valid 19C split?

Manchester traincard at £28.90
Greenfield to Marsden 7DS at £27.30
Green 16-25 M-Card

This would be slightly cheaper than 5*£12 and give you weekend travel in Manchester on the trains.

Arguably the Greenfield-Marsden ticket isn't needed clause 19A allows two zonal tickets.

NOT recommended though, as there is dispute on whether GM and WY meet - discussed to death in this thread: http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=57197