I bought a super saver ticket for the 11.12 train from London Bridge to Brighton. The ticket said Thameslink only. When I got to London Bridge there was a 10.42 on platform 11 which was a Thameslink train. I waited for the 11.12 to come up. Sure enough it appeared on Platform 12 BUT this was a Southern train. It was the same time and arrived at the same time in Brighton. There was no Thameslink 11.12 train. I wondered if there were other platforms in London Bridge where there were Thameslink trains but there was certainly no signs to these. I also thought that it was highly unlikely there was a Southern train and a Thameslink train leaving LB and arriving at Brighton at exactly the same time. Can anyone throw any light on this. Would I have been fined for being on the Southern train with a Thameslink only ticket? I have searched the net for answers but they don't seem obvious. The Train Line who sold me the ticket are no use at all on the matter.
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Right train to Brighton?
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EM2
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Southern and Thameslink are now part of the same franchise. Some trains operated by Thameslink are in Southern colours.
Usually, the announcement will tell you the company that is operating the service, for example, 'The next train on platform 12 will be the 11.12 Thameslink service to Brighton'. Also the information screen usually shows the operator.
Usually, the announcement will tell you the company that is operating the service, for example, 'The next train on platform 12 will be the 11.12 Thameslink service to Brighton'. Also the information screen usually shows the operator.
The 11.12 London Bridge to Brigthon is a Thameslink service
( http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/L06028/2015/08/21/advanced )
Possibly they used Southern-branded stock to run it. (I've seen this several times.)
Obviously that could be confusing and I'd hope that staff would be sensibly flexible on operator restrictions if it was running in the wrong colours.
Was it announced as a Southern Service or Thameslink?
greatkingrat
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I don't think Thameslink have advance tickets, so I assume you had a Super Off Peak Day Return? If so, you could have taken the 1042 train, even if you had selected the 1112 when booking.
No, they're rather useless.r1b1c7 said:
Next time you need tickets, try buying from the Southern website. You get your money back if you don't travel (and don't collect the tickets), you don't pay a booking fee, and if there's a problem on the day, customer service will be more clued up than the trainline.
)
There, I've fixed that for you.
Surely this is a type of journey that is just as well paid for on the day at the booking office?.......
Yes, that feeling that you get when there is an issue and you say those immortal words: 'where did you buy your tickets from'?
'The trainline'. :roll:
I sometimes feel a bit of a fraud when I say, 'next time, try our website'. But I know from speaking with you guys on here I can say that with a clear(ish) conscious.
I order via FGW for Nectar points but do think I might change to Southern just because of the rainy day refund.
Far to many people don't realise you can buy from a TOC, without fees and possibly even extras, instead of a supposed independent company like thetrainline.
But even if I tell some people, they're sure I might be wrong - especially if they misread the advertising as they're supposed to.
Far to many people don't realise you can buy from a TOC, without fees and possibly even extras, instead of a supposed independent company like thetrainline.
But even if I tell some people, they're sure I might be wrong - especially if they misread the advertising as they're supposed to.
Indeed you can. Although I've moved out of the Southern area now, I still use their website. The only downside is having to collect from Southeastern machines, which appear to be operated by snails.
Thanks for all the very useful replies. It has sorted this out in my head. Just a few comments. When the train came up on the board it came up as Southern. I didn't know the companies had merged (lord help Southern passengers - I live on Great Northern where Govia have done nothing since their takeover). I didn't hear the announcement since we got on the train before that and there wasn't one on the train. Also I did try the Southern site for tickets but couldn't see the £10.50 Super Off Peak fare, just one at £17. (I could see the £10.50 on The TrainLine but it wasn't on Redspottedhanky However I have since looked at the Southern site again and it very clearly now has that ticket on similar trains, so I'll use that in future. It also tells you exactly what trains you can use the ticket on and that you don't need to choose a timed ticket unless you want to reserve a seat. So a pretty good site. And as you say doesn't charge a fee. Presumably thetrailine shouldn't have sent me a receipt with the train time on it and the ticket shouldn't have said Thameslink only. So thanks to this forum I am now clear, which is more than can be said for thetrainline.
Thetrainline is always best avoided due to their booking and credit card fees. Sadly they never mention this is their advertising - they just give the impression that you can always save 43% if you buy from them.
Incidentally I see that thetrainline is having a re brand and is now simply 'trainline'.
Incidentally I see that thetrainline is having a re brand and is now simply 'trainline'.
This is not the trainline's fault, but I agree their fees are best avoided!
Southern and Thameslink were merged; its all one Train Company
http://www.gtrailway.com
See http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=119656 for another example of confusion.
I suspect Govia will ask ATOC to ask the DfT for.permission for NRCoC 10 to be changed so that tickets can be restricted by 'brand ". At present the restriction can only be by Train Company.
I strongly believe a Train Company is a Train Company and trying to confuse things by brands is a nonsense and causing unnecessary confusion.
Southern and Thameslink were merged; its all one Train Company
http://www.gtrailway.com
See http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=119656 for another example of confusion.
I suspect Govia will ask ATOC to ask the DfT for.permission for NRCoC 10 to be changed so that tickets can be restricted by 'brand ". At present the restriction can only be by Train Company.
I strongly believe a Train Company is a Train Company and trying to confuse things by brands is a nonsense and causing unnecessary confusion.
Indeed but already some staff claim tickets for the wrong brand are not valid. We know that's not enforceable but many passengers either won't be familiar with the situation or may have an interpretation different to our own.
Some people have previously argued that a Train Company doesn't need to exist and can simply be made up for the purpose of ticketing. We will have to agree to disagree with that view!
Some people have previously argued that a Train Company doesn't need to exist and can simply be made up for the purpose of ticketing. We will have to agree to disagree with that view!
paul1609
Established Member
I believe that GOVIA will abolish all differential fares on the BML within the current franchise. Obviously this may well mean that the premium that Southerners have to pay to unfairly subsidise ultra cheap fares to the North may be reduced. I welcome this. Substancial fares increases on East. Coast Advances would appear to be an easy target.
Maybe that's the 43% saving (losing the 'the').
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