In the fares data, the inter-available flow is set by West Midlands Trains (TOC code "LBR" in fares data, though the more common code for this TOC is of course "LM", as per the timetable data)
Note that West Midlands Trains uses the branding London Northwestern Railway (LNR) along this route, but for simplicity I will refer to them as WMT in this post.
So, in theory, as the inter-available fare setter, WMT shouldn't be able to set their own dedicated fares, yet they do. I am well aware this isn't a new thing, and WMT did not create these fares; the previous franchise holder (London Midland) had them too.
So my first question is: When were these dedicated fares created?
And my second question: Does anyone have any information regarding an exemption that allows the lead operator to set dedicated fares, and are there any other exemptions in place? Does anyone know the wording of these exemptions?
Note that West Midlands Trains uses the branding London Northwestern Railway (LNR) along this route, but for simplicity I will refer to them as WMT in this post.
So, in theory, as the inter-available fare setter, WMT shouldn't be able to set their own dedicated fares, yet they do. I am well aware this isn't a new thing, and WMT did not create these fares; the previous franchise holder (London Midland) had them too.
So my first question is: When were these dedicated fares created?
And my second question: Does anyone have any information regarding an exemption that allows the lead operator to set dedicated fares, and are there any other exemptions in place? Does anyone know the wording of these exemptions?