Rail + Metrolink in Manchester Zone 1

[lammy]

A couple of questions regarding journeys on Metrolink and National Rail within Zone 1 in Manchester after a frustrating attempt at what should be a simple journey!

• Is there a ticket I can buy at New Islington tram stop (Zone 1) which will be valid through to Oxford Road, changing at Piccadilly for a National Rail service? The "Combined Travel – Tram Bus Train and Railzone" option doesn't appear to be available for Metrolink stations in Zone 1. (I went to St Peter Square and walked instead - cost £1.40).
• Is there a ticket I can buy at Oxford Road for the same journey the other way, i.e. back to New Islington? The chap at the station said the only way was to buy a ticket from Salford Central to Metrolink Z1-2 for £3.60. This was then rejected by the ticket barriers (I made the journey anyway).

It's not just me, is it?

 

[janb]

For number 2 my workaround would have been Salford Crescent to Manchester Central Zone £2.50 single.

Otherwise I think you're combining travelcards for Zone 1 metrolink (£1.80 or £2.60) with day returns Piccadilly to Oxford Road (£2.70 or £3.20) assuming travel is all one day.

 

[sonic2009]

For number 2 my workaround would have been Salford Crescent to Manchester Central Zone £2.50 single.

Otherwise I think you're combining travelcards for Zone 1 metrolink (£1.80 or £2.60) with day returns Piccadilly to Oxford Road (£2.70 or £3.20) assuming travel is all one day.

Deansgate to Manchester Central Zone comes in at 30p cheaper £2.20 single.

 

[lammy]

Deansgate to Manchester Central Zone comes in at 30p cheaper £2.20 single.

Why is there a ticket available from Deansgate to Manchester Central Zone, when Deansgate is part of the Manchester Stations group? Why is there therefore not a ticket available from Oxford Road to Manchester Central Zone?

Adding to my question, let's say I had the opportunity to purchase my ticket at a ticket office within Greater Manchester. (the day before, perhaps). Could I buy a "Manchester Cltz to Deansgate" (or "Manchester Cltz to Oxford Road") day return ticket, then use it for the whole return journey from New Islington to Oxford Road? The wording on the "Freedom of the City" scheme seem to imply that the Metrolink leg must follow the train leg on the outbound journey, but I'm not sure whether it's actually the case, or indeed whether it's enforced.

 

[janb]

Adding to my question, let's say I had the opportunity to purchase my ticket at a ticket office within Greater Manchester. (the day before, perhaps). Could I buy a "Manchester Cltz to Deansgate" (or "Manchester Cltz to Oxford Road") day return ticket, then use it for the whole return journey from New Islington to Oxford Road? The wording on the "Freedom of the City" scheme seem to imply that the Metrolink leg must follow the train leg on the outbound journey, but I'm not sure whether it's actually the case, or indeed whether it's enforced.

You can't buy a ticket with Manchester Ctlz as the origin.