jacksonbang
Member
- Joined
- 2 Nov 2016
- Messages
- 70
Hello,
Yesterday I purchased a super-off peak ticket from Rye to London Terminals with the HS1 restriction (I travelled via Ashford Intl to London Charing Cross).
On my return journey I was meeting someone at Gatwick Airport so I left from London Victoria and attempted to board the Gatwick Express and was immediately told I could not use any High Speed trains. My ironic comment on the concept of the GX being High Speed was lost on the gate person and I asked how I was supposed to be able to tell from the ticket as I was on a valid route back to Rye (via Polegate) and, as if I was crazy, she pointed to the "Not Valid on HS1" statement.
When I replied that this was not HS1, she basically said "This is a high speed train, it only takes 30 minutes, you must buy another ticket or get another train" and proceeded to ignore me (it was busy).
I went to the ticket office and was given the same explanation. I explained, again, that HS1 was not this line and was told it meant all high speed trains. At this point I realised it was not worth arguing and went to the platforms offering non-GX services to the airport.
I am no expert on train travel but even looking at the F4 restriction on the ticket there is no reference to Gatwick Express.
How, if I am on a legitimate route, can I have known that I cannot use GX and, if I am correct, how can I prove that I can use the service in the future?
Thanks
Yesterday I purchased a super-off peak ticket from Rye to London Terminals with the HS1 restriction (I travelled via Ashford Intl to London Charing Cross).
On my return journey I was meeting someone at Gatwick Airport so I left from London Victoria and attempted to board the Gatwick Express and was immediately told I could not use any High Speed trains. My ironic comment on the concept of the GX being High Speed was lost on the gate person and I asked how I was supposed to be able to tell from the ticket as I was on a valid route back to Rye (via Polegate) and, as if I was crazy, she pointed to the "Not Valid on HS1" statement.
When I replied that this was not HS1, she basically said "This is a high speed train, it only takes 30 minutes, you must buy another ticket or get another train" and proceeded to ignore me (it was busy).
I went to the ticket office and was given the same explanation. I explained, again, that HS1 was not this line and was told it meant all high speed trains. At this point I realised it was not worth arguing and went to the platforms offering non-GX services to the airport.
I am no expert on train travel but even looking at the F4 restriction on the ticket there is no reference to Gatwick Express.
How, if I am on a legitimate route, can I have known that I cannot use GX and, if I am correct, how can I prove that I can use the service in the future?
Thanks