Break of Journey question

[cuccir]

Hello,
I always forget this one, and can't find anything on it in the Fares & Ticketing Guide.

If starting short on an Off-Peak ticket which permits a Break of Journey, do the time restrictions apply as if I'm travelling from the origin station, or from the station at which I'm actually boarding?

To help with a (real life) example: I'll be using an Off-Peak Return from Durham to Exeter*, but starting my outward journey at Derby. The ticket is not valid before 09:30. Can I take any train from Derby after 09:30 or do I have to wait for a train that has left Durham after 09:30, in which case the 12:27 would be my earliest direct train?

Ta!

*I know: I could have saved by splitting but am travelling on expenses and HR gets in a tizz when the ticket does not have the 'right' destination/origin on it!

 

[headshot119]

Firslty as you've said the restriction code says no travel till after 09:30 I'm assuming you are using :

Durham - Exter St Davids SVR Route: NOT LONDON Cost: £178

Is that correct?

The restriction code text reads

Restriction Code: 2V

Applicable days

Mondays to Fridays

OUTWARD AND RETURN TRAVEL

Not valid on trains scheduled
to depart after 04:29 and
before 09:30.

It is my opinion that as the restriction code text doesn't specify a particular station it is permitted to start a journey short at Derby on any train scheduled to depart after 0930.

Though I am conscious of the fact that not everyone shares this opinion.

If the restriction code text had specified something like this :-

Cardiff Central - London Terminals SVR Route: ANY PERMITTED Cost: £92.50

OUTWARD TRAVEL:

Not valid for travel on trains
timed to depart after 04:29
and before the times shown
from the following stations:

Swansea 0715
(also valid between 0200 and
0430)
Neath 0725
(also valid between 0200 and
0430)
Port Talbot Parkway 0745
(also valid between 0200 and
0500)
Bridgend 0735
(also valid between 0200 and
0445)
Cardiff Central 0810
(also valid between 0200 and
0530)
Newport 0830
(also valid between 0200 and
0545)
Bristol Parkway 0845
(also valid between 0200 and
0530)

Bristol Temple Meads 0815
(also valid between 0200 and
0510)

Then I would say that it IS NOT permitted to start the journey short at Swindon on a train that had departed Swansea at a banned time.

 

[cuccir]

Yeah, it's code 2V. If it's something that isn't established by consensus then I'll probably check in with Cross Country and see what they have to say...

 

[headshot119]

Yeah, it's code 2V. If it's something that isn't established by consensus then I'll probably check in with Cross Country and see what they have to say...

You will probably find they won't give a particularly helpful answer, though they might surprise me.

Other people might come along and give there opinion on this.

 

[talldave]

Since the 2V ticket from Derby would allow boarding trains after 09:30, I think you're OK doing that with your Durham ticket. You're travelling off-peak but voluntarily decided to donate extra funds to the TOC by purchasing a ticket from further afield. Since, from what you write, you appear to be starting short, rather than actually breaking your journey?

Had you thought about a Derby Exeter return and a cheap advance for the Derby-Durham trip?

 

[bb21]

I agree that the way the restriction text is worded suggests to me that you would be fine as long as you do not use the ticket before 0930, regardless of starting short or not.

 

[cuccir]

Thanks all!

Had you thought about a Derby Exeter return and a cheap advance for the Derby-Durham trip?

Short answer - it doesn't fit my needs.

Long answer - I'm travelling for work at the start of the working week - I'd normally just travel from Durham, but it's occurred to me that the flexible ticket gives me the option of travelling (by car, with someone else who'd drive back) to family in the East Midlands at the weekend and then joining the train in Derby, and indeed arriving a little earlier to get on with work. However keeping the ticket from Durham (which is what has been budgeted for!) allows me to change weekend plans back if needed!