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Freedom of Devon and Cornwall Rover Validity

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ChrisC

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I posted the following a few days ago in the Trip Planning and Reports section but as yet have not had any response. I thought I’d try here as it’s connected with ticket validity.

Is the Freedom of Devon and Cornwall Rover valid on the 0837 XC departure from Penzance?
The National Rail Website says that it is valid after 0900 Monday to Friday and at all times at weekends and Bank Holidays. However, on the GB Rail Rover website there is a statement saying valid after 0900 and also valid on journeys where the off peak day return becomes valid if earlier.
The off peak day return is valid on the 0837 from Penzance. I wouldn’t want to encounter problems with XC staff accepting it.

I’m travelling down from Nottingham to Penzance at the end of April, staying for 7 nights in the new Premier Inn close to Penzance Station. With my Senior Railcard, by splitting tickets at Cheltenham and Bristol I can get as far as Tiverton Parkway for £68 return. I am then planning on using an 8 Days in 15 Freedom of Devon and Cornwall Rover for the rest of the journey which would cost £55.40 with my railcard. I would then be able to use it throughout my stay in Penzance and for the return journey as far as Tiverton Parkway.
 
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John @ home

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Is the Freedom of Devon and Cornwall Rover valid on the 0837 XC departure from Penzance?
Yes. I would travel with a printed copy of two documents:

(1) The detailed validity of the Freedom of Devon and Cornwall 8-days-in-15 Rover.

Here there is some bad news. The Railcard 8-in-15 price appears to have increased from £55.40 to £57.40.

(2) The detailed Restrictions for Restriction Code LB, which applies to an Off-Peak Day Return from PENZANCE to TIVERTON PARKWAY.
Standard RETURN
From PENZANCE
To TIVERTON PARKWAY
Route ANY PERMITTED
OFF-PEAK DAY R [LB] CDR
PRICE ADULT £23.50; CHILD £11.75
RESTRICTIONS: Restriction Code: LB
Restricted Days: Mondays to Fridays
Outward Travel & Return Travel
Not valid on trains timed to depart after 04:29 and before 08:40. Except the 08:37 XC departure from Penzance.
The fact that the Restriction specifically exempts the 08:37 XC departure from Penzance makes a challenge by on-train staff very unlikely, in my opinion.
 

paddington

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If someone is going to make an issue about it then they won't accept unofficial sites such as railrover.org and brfares.com.

As the OP says, nationalrail.co.uk doesn't mention the additional validity equal to an off-peak day return, and GWR's site doesn't even mention any timed validity.

However this site does and looks more official: https://dcrp.org.uk/travel-advice/multi-day-rover-tickets/ and of course restrictions are available on https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/LB
 

ChrisC

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I’m in Penzance for a week so might make some enquiries at the booking office there. If there is any doubt over acceptance on the 0837 by XC staff I will just use the 0925 as far as Derby instead. It would just be good for such a long journey to be able to make an earlier start.
 

gray1404

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Try and get the booking office to give you a seat reservation on the service you want to use as well so you can show this along with your ticket. If it is believed not to be valid, having a seat reservation might sway it in your favor.

It could also depend at what point during the journey your ticket is checked. It might be after 0900 anyway.

If it wasn't accepted I would insist on getting off at the next station and waiting until the ticket is valid. I wouldn't be paying anymore or giving my details if I can help it.
 

paddington

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If it wasn't accepted I would insist on getting off at the next station and waiting until the ticket is valid. I wouldn't be paying anymore or giving my details if I can help it.

If I chose to get off rather than continue an argument I would also claim delay repay on the original rover.

I have never been challenged on time restrictions with rovers across GB, even when I had made a mistake and travelled earlier than I was permitted to, nor when I held another valid ticket (or was prepared to buy one, if boarding at a station without facilities) but presented the rover to see whether I would be challenged.
 
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I guess you could buy a single to Redruth (£6.20 full fare) for peace of mind if you cannot get a definite ruling - 0837 conveniently arrives at 0900!
 

30907

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Or you could travel later and wait for one of the HSTs from Plymouth :) But you may not want to be so late home: 0925 ex PNZ on Thursdays, 1225 ex PLY any weekday.
 
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