Naming a non Northern served station on a Free Ticket

gray1404 · 19 Jan 2020

I want to use a Northern free return (awarded for delay repay). My journey is from Formby to Barrow. I have a free Merseytravel PTE pass which will cover me for the Merseyrail element of my journey. However, depending on my times of travel (as is often the case using Merseyrail to connect onto Northern services) I might end up travelling via Southport (for the Southport to Wigan train), Liverpool (for the Liverpool to Preston train), Ormskirk (for the Ormskirk to Preston train) or Kirby (for the Kirby to Wigan train). Likewise on the return journey.

Would it be acceptable for me to put on the Northern free return that my journey is from Formby in order that I have the choice of options (moreover on the return).

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yorkie · 19 Jan 2020

I'd just put your origin as Liverpool.

If you do end up travelling to or from Southport, the worst that will happen is you will be asked how you will get between Southport & Liverpool; if this happens simply show your PTE pass.

It's going to raise more eyebrows if you put the origin as Formby!

Mathew S · 19 Jan 2020

I've done things like this a few times and never had any issues. Though I agree with Yorkie, pick two really obvious, Northern-served stations to raise the minimum of eyebrows.

gray1404 · 19 Jan 2020

yorkie said:
I'd just put your origin as Liverpool.

If you do end up travelling to or from Southport, the worst that will happen is you will be asked how you will get between Southport & Liverpool; if this happens simply show your PTE pass.

It's going to raise more eyebrows if you put the origin as Formby!

Is there a chance I could be asked to pay the fare between Southport and Wigan?

Bletchleyite · 19 Jan 2020

I must admit to not entirely understanding why those aren't just issued as Northern only day rovers.

gray1404 · 19 Jan 2020

Just thinking too, there is a gateline now at Wigan Wallage.... Might not be let through on a ticket marked to Liverpool as clearly no services go to Liverpool from Wallgate.

Mathew S · 19 Jan 2020

gray1404 said:
Just thinking too, there is a gateline now at Wigan Wallage.... Might not be let through on a ticket marked to Liverpool as clearly no services go to Liverpool from Wallgate.

I'll be amazed if they read what's on it. They're nice enough, but like most staff on the west side, if you're travelling on one of those free tickets you get let through on the nod.

Djgr · 19 Jan 2020

If you want to be 100% certain of a hassle free journey I'm going to have to say No.

I think you will have to choose Liverpool or Southport.

_toommm_ · 20 Jan 2020

Bletchleyite said:
I must admit to not entirely understanding why those aren't just issued as Northern only day rovers.

They do still issue comp singles for delays of 30 to 59 minutes.

Interestingly the rovers do have an 'All Day' box on so I'm not sure why they don't just remove the return box and use the All Day instead of 60+ minute delays.

HSP 2 · 22 Jan 2020

Bletchleyite said:
I must admit to not entirely understanding why those aren't just issued as Northern only day rovers.

_toommm_ said:
They do still issue comp singles for delays of 30 to 59 minutes.

Interestingly the (rovers?) do have an 'All Day' box on so I'm not sure why they don't just remove the return box and use the All Day instead of 60+ minute delays.

What would happen if the ticket was an open return that you had been delayed on and you wanted to do the same journey in a months time. I would not be very happy to get a day rover ticket.
I have used a complementary ticket to go to Liverpool via Southport and a Mersey rail day rover ticket with no problems. All I have done is shown both tickets.

Naming a non Northern served station on a Free Ticket

gray1404

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yorkie

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Mathew S

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gray1404

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Bletchleyite

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gray1404

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Mathew S

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Djgr

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_toommm_

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HSP 2

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