Fare cheaper one way than the other - how

[mikeg]

I was wondering if anyone could satisfy my curiosity here.

When I book a fare from Thirsk to Manchester, an off peak return with a young persons railcard comes to 24.80, but from Manchester to Thirsk costs 26.00.

As I understand it, fares are calculated from many different flows, the lead operator setting the price (Within regulatory constraints where applicable as in this case)... But surely this would be the same flow, just the other way around?
It all seems very strange... and annoying since I travel to my parents in Thirsk from Stoke on Trent via Manchester Piccadilly and rarely do the journey the cheaper way around!.

 

[yorkie]

"How?" Because the TOCs can!
"Why?" Because they feel that they can extract more money out of passengers in one direction compared to the other.

It's not that uncommon.

By the way it is cheaper to split at Yorkif you are returning the same day or if you are using GC.

Manchester - York £16.05 SVR with Railcard discount
York - Manchester £15.00 SVR with Railcard discount

York - Thirsk £2.00 GTR (Anytime Return Rte: Grand Ctrl Only) with Railcard discount (same price in the other direction)
or
York - Thirsk £5.80 CDR with Railcard discount (same price in the other direction)

Examples of differential pricing by direction (non discounted):

York - Scarborough £13.00 SDS
Scarborough - York £16.20 SDS

Gatwick - Victoria £18.40 SOR (SN Only)
Victoria - Gatwick £13.60 SOR (SN Only)

 

[mikeg]

OK thanks for explaining. Its the first time I've come across that. It just seems unusual, especially given that its for a return ticket that places equal demand on the rail system no matter which way I travel.