Strange; maybe the times you were looking at had gaps in service resulting in the suggestion of roundabout routes.
Make sure you select the "Return fares" tab as NRE shows single fares by default if there is a combination cheaper than a return. The routeing information is shown to the left of the price; unless it specifies "TPE Only" or similar, it will be valid on any operator.
thats what was odd, I had all that in correctly and as to service there was a faster working 10 mins after the slower routing!
It was clearly just having an off day as have done this journey multiple times and usually with a split at CAR as my start point normally is EDB and have usually got an unused portion of an off peek return kicking round for that as do it regularly. The rest is usually no bother but was this time. Anyway resolved now so thanks all.
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Hmm, you may be right here; reading around there seems to have been a staff briefing (for all TOCs I assume) advising that discretion should be used and DSB holders to be allowed to buy on-board. However, the T&Cs do state that tickets must be bought before travel.
there is inconsistancy here between tocs - some are good, others not so. Should point out I was buying prior to travel or rather will be when I do it but it has been allowed in one form or another for as long as I can recall
and is helpfull particular at stations with TVMs which as a blindy I cant use but no tiket office available.
Odly enough the TOC iv had most bother with has been East Coast!
