alistairlees
Established Member
- Joined
- 29 Dec 2016
- Messages
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On Saturday I travelled with some friends from Paddock Wood (PDW) to Ramsgate (RAM) to walk round the coast to Margate (MAR), then get the train back to Paddock Wood.
Because of diversions it means changing at Ashford Int (AFK).
I bought Off-Peak Day Returns (CDR) which have restriction code B3. This doesn't mention anything about BoJ restrictions, on either leg.
We missed our outward train (the 08.56) from Paddock Wood, so got the next train (09.26) to AFK, then got the 10.05 from there to Canterbury West (CBW) where it terminates. We could have waited at AFK for the next direct train to RAM via CBW, but didn't want to wait at AFK and thought we might as well go for a stroll around Canterbury for about 30 minutes - better than waiting at Ashford.
As we tried to exit through the barriers at CBW we were told Off-Peak tickets are not valid for break of journey on the outward portion, though you can break as often as you like on the return.
When I said I didn't think that was the case, and that you could break unless it was explicitly denied, I was told no it was correct. On saying that this was what the National Rail website that said this, I was told that that was "just National Rail, it isn't always correct". On further querying, I was told that "train companies have different rules". We were then told that we would be let through if we were quick (like they were doing us a favour) and that "people ask us this all the time, and we always let them then through, even though we shouldn't".
I asked a different member of the gateline staff on the way back in and he said the same thing.
At no point did either of them attempt to look at the restriction code (it's in fairly small writing); they just looked at the "Off-Peak" text (larger writing).
At no point did either of them seem to consider looking up the question via any reference material (is there any?) or by asking another member of staff. They just were convinced they were right, and did not want to countenance that they might not be.
Regarding the break of journey:
The NRE ticket type code web page does not list any restrictions
The Southeastern booking website explicitly states there are no break of journey restrictions for this ticket on this journey
The NRE website on the Off-Peak detailed T&C page states that break of journey is permitted on the outward (and return), "unless otherwise indicated by a restriction". These were day return tickets, but the NRE page for Off-Peak Day detailed T&Cs makes no mention of BoJ for some reason.
Thoughts, please? Things like this only serve to annoy and confuse customers, and to cause disrepute to the railways in general.
Because of diversions it means changing at Ashford Int (AFK).
I bought Off-Peak Day Returns (CDR) which have restriction code B3. This doesn't mention anything about BoJ restrictions, on either leg.
We missed our outward train (the 08.56) from Paddock Wood, so got the next train (09.26) to AFK, then got the 10.05 from there to Canterbury West (CBW) where it terminates. We could have waited at AFK for the next direct train to RAM via CBW, but didn't want to wait at AFK and thought we might as well go for a stroll around Canterbury for about 30 minutes - better than waiting at Ashford.
As we tried to exit through the barriers at CBW we were told Off-Peak tickets are not valid for break of journey on the outward portion, though you can break as often as you like on the return.
When I said I didn't think that was the case, and that you could break unless it was explicitly denied, I was told no it was correct. On saying that this was what the National Rail website that said this, I was told that that was "just National Rail, it isn't always correct". On further querying, I was told that "train companies have different rules". We were then told that we would be let through if we were quick (like they were doing us a favour) and that "people ask us this all the time, and we always let them then through, even though we shouldn't".
I asked a different member of the gateline staff on the way back in and he said the same thing.
At no point did either of them attempt to look at the restriction code (it's in fairly small writing); they just looked at the "Off-Peak" text (larger writing).
At no point did either of them seem to consider looking up the question via any reference material (is there any?) or by asking another member of staff. They just were convinced they were right, and did not want to countenance that they might not be.
Regarding the break of journey:
The NRE ticket type code web page does not list any restrictions
The Southeastern booking website explicitly states there are no break of journey restrictions for this ticket on this journey
The NRE website on the Off-Peak detailed T&C page states that break of journey is permitted on the outward (and return), "unless otherwise indicated by a restriction". These were day return tickets, but the NRE page for Off-Peak Day detailed T&Cs makes no mention of BoJ for some reason.
Thoughts, please? Things like this only serve to annoy and confuse customers, and to cause disrepute to the railways in general.