Extension tickets

[tafkam]

It's been a while since I was familiar with all this sort of stuff, but is it still possible under the new simpler ticket system to by an extension ticket?

For example, I travelled this morning from Three Bridges to Earlswood. I bought a off-peak return. Now I wish to travel back as far as Crawley - one stop further. Can I just buy an extension ticket to make up the difference in cost, or must I buy a new single from TB to Crawley?

 

[dan_atki]

Yes, you can puchase what's known as an excess fare from the ticket office at Earlswood to enable you to do this. In this case, with an Off Peak Day Return, the cost of this will be £0.25.

If the ticket office is closed (and I suspect it will be as it's only open 4 hours) then speak to the guard before the train leaves Three Bridges otherwise you may be liable for a penalty fare. You may be asked to purchase the excess on arrival at Crawley. If you cannot find the guard before Three Bridges then you should alight there and purchase the excess (keeping your return portion to show the ticket office clerk).

 

[tafkam]

Excellent - just as I thought I remembered.
Thank you

 

[yorkie]

Surely if you are boarding at an unstaffed station you cannot be penalty fared?

Surely the full range should be available including excesses?

Is it documented anywhere that the above procedure of having to find the guard or having to get off is in place? I'd be interested to read it.

 

[dan_atki]

Surely if you are boarding at an unstaffed station you cannot be penalty fared?

Surely the full range should be available including excesses?

Is it documented anywhere that the above procedure of having to find the guard or having to get off is in place? I'd be interested to read it.

Indeed not, but in this case a ticket is held from that station and if there was to be a ticket check between Three Bridges and Crawley then a valid ticket would not be held and as such the guard *may* suspect fare dodging and a penalty fare/full priced single issued if they were not sought. After all what if there is no ticket check before Crawley (q.v. SWT and Parkstone thread)?

Either way such a journey would require a change of train at Three Bridges if memory serves correctly anyways so should definitely be purchased there (if the facilities exist).

Certainly what I said above is not set in stone anywhere but it at least is a safety mechanism that shows the guard you have honest intentions to pay your fare (with a TVM at Earlswood they may not do an immediate ticket check of passengers just boarded).

 

[Pumbaa]

Can you excess an Advance Purchase ticket? Ie a MAN > MKC to MAN > HML?

 

[Matt Taylor]

No, advance fares are valid only as sold and any changes must be made in advance and will be subject to an admin fee and also subject to availability.



Matt