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'VWC and connections' advance ticket

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Carefree

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Hi. I have an advance ticket from Milton Keynes Central to Blackburn (route 'VWC and connections'. Upon booking, the journey planner gave me a route of Milton Keynes - Stockport - Bolton - Blackburn (with specific services listed).

The only mandatory reservation that came with it is for the Milton Keynes - Stockport leg. Am I allowed to stay on my Virgin train to Manchester Piccadilly, and make my onward journey from there? Can I catch literally any trains via Bolton to Blackburn, or am I constrained to the next available service after my change? And could I use this ticket to wander on to Victoria, and take a direct service from there to Blackburn?

Thanks.
 
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pemma

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In theory I can't see anything wrong with that as you use the correct train for your reserved leg and don't break your journey except to walk between stations.

However, you may have a dim G4S person at Piccadilly when you alight the Virgin service who may claim you over travelled on the Virgin service.
 

button_boxer

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You might have issues using reservable connecting trains (which would include the Virgin one between Stockport and Manchester) on which you do not have a reservation. I know the recent "advance fares FAQs" that have been mentioned on here before say you can take earlier connecting services provided they are non-reservable.
 

hairyhandedfool

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....The only mandatory reservation that came with it is for the Milton Keynes - Stockport leg. Am I allowed to stay on my Virgin train to Manchester Piccadilly, and make my onward journey from there? Can I catch literally any trains via Bolton to Blackburn, or am I constrained to the next available service after my change? And could I use this ticket to wander on to Victoria, and take a direct service from there to Blackburn?

Thanks.

You can use any connecting service that can be shown on a valid travel itinerary because the ticket is routed '& Connections'. Also, via Victoria should be fine. Travelling on the same Virgin service to Piccadilly should be fine, but if you are at all unsure, just have a quick word with the guard onboard.

You might have issues using reservable connecting trains (which would include the Virgin one between Stockport and Manchester) on which you do not have a reservation. I know the recent "advance fares FAQs" that have been mentioned on here before say you can take earlier connecting services provided they are non-reservable.

I'm not sure that applies to tickets routed 'and Connections because of the conditions of the ticket. Certainly it would be true of other Advance fares.
 

snail

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Travelling on the same Virgin service to Piccadilly should be fine, but if you are at all unsure, just have a quick word with the guard onboard.
It's very unlikely anyone would notice between Stockport and Piccadilly, problems are more likely from a clueless G4S person as noted upthread.

Of course, anyone knowing Piccadilly would go via the overbridge away from the concourse to the satellite lounge by P13/14 then down in the lift to Fairfield St for Metrolink. Chances of a ticket check that way are virtually nil.

Not that one would suggest for a minute doing that... ;)
 

bb21

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Of course, anyone knowing Piccadilly would go via the overbridge away from the concourse to the satellite lounge by P13/14 then down in the lift to Fairfield St for Metrolink. Chances of a ticket check that way are virtually nil.

Won't be virtually nil any more. ;)
 

snail

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Won't be virtually nil any more. ;)
Ah, but it's G4S we're talking about... :lol:

I remember when the Fairfield Street exit stairs from P13/14 were still operational that very few ticket checks took place, but when they did lots of people were caught. Can't imagine why.
 
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