GWR December 2019 timetable and fare restrictions

[nickswift99]

This isn't a gripe about timings and the loss of morning off-peak tickets...

I have routinely used an off-peak single (restriction J9) for afternoon/evening journeys from Paddington to Thames Valley stations (Pangbourne/Goring & Streatley).

Restriction J9 has historically prevented the use of HST services and the fast Oxfords from Paddington, but permits the semi-fast services to Didcot.

This restriction has been updated on the National Rail site to cover what looks like the December timetable. Electronic restrictions already seem to be in place, preventing off-peak travel on all the previous services and what looks like the new services. This results in peak fares only being valid.

Given that the public restrictions don't even reflect the current timetable, can anyone explain why the electronic restrictions are forcing customers to be overcharged?

 

[MarlowDonkey]

Given that the public restrictions don't even reflect the current timetable, can anyone explain why the electronic restrictions are forcing customers to be overcharged?

They appear to be applying code P7 which has a long list of restricted trains including some of the Didcot services. Being non-stop to Maidenhead or Slough seems the determining factor.

https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/ticket_types/restrictions/p7

 

[sonic2009]

I think the new restriction may have been implemented in the September fare changes, i may be wrong though.

 

[JonathanH]

I think the new restriction may have been implemented in the September fare changes, i may be wrong though.

It was implemented in the September fare changes, but to apply from the December timetable change.

The basic point is that it appears that all GWR services departing between 1600 and 1930 will now be barred for off-peak tickets to/from 'London & Thames Valley' destinations from Paddington from 16 December (where the fare is set by GWR), not just the former HSS ones (although if that is the case I don't understand why there are gaps in the restricted times).

 

[MarlowDonkey]

It was implemented in the September fare changes, but to apply from the December timetable change.

So if travelling before the December changes, is it supposed to apply? In other words, if travelling on one of the semi fasts, first stop Maidenhead, will there be announcements about off peak tickets and travel cards not being valid?

 

[JonathanH]

So if travelling before the December changes, is it supposed to apply? In other words, if travelling on one of the semi fasts, first stop Maidenhead, will there be announcements about off peak tickets and travel cards not being valid?

BRFares and presumably the publicity at Paddington shows no change until 13 December 2019.

http://www.brfares.com/#faredetail?orig=MAI&dest=PAD&tkt=CDR

Look at the Time Restrictions under Unpublished Restrictions. They are different before and after the December timetable change.

 

[nickswift99]

BRFares and presumably the publicity at Paddington shows no change until 13 December 2019.

http://www.brfares.com/#faredetail?orig=MAI&dest=PAD&tkt=CDR

Look at the Time Restrictions under Unpublished Restrictions. They are different before and after the December timetable change.

These aren't being followed by the booking engines. For example, the GWR site will only offer peak tickets for travel today on the 1718.

However, as the published restrictions include almost none of the currently running services (There's still an xx15 to Swansea for example) I believe there are no effective restrictions if I hold an off-peak ticket.

 

[JonathanH]

From BRFares, the available times from 16 December appear to be
1611,1612,1613,1626,1627,1628,1641,1642,1659,1711,1712,1713,1729,1742,1759,1811,1812,1813,1829,1842,1859,1911,1912,1913,1929

That would correspond to
1613 TfL Rail to Reading
1628 TfL Rail to Reading
1713 TfL Rail to Reading
1742 GWR to Reading, Didcot Parkway
1813 TfL Rail ail to Reading
1842 GWR to Reading, Didcot Parkway
1913 TfL Rail to Reading

That doesn't really make sense - they must have intended to make all TfL Rail services available and all GWR ones barred. Note that not only are GWR trains restricted from Paddington, there are also separate peak restrictions from Reading.

 

[nickswift99]

From BRFares, the available times from 16 December appear to be
1611,1612,1613,1626,1627,1628,1641,1642,1659,1711,1712,1713,1729,1742,1759,1811,1812,1813,1829,1842,1859,1911,1912,1913,1929

That would correspond to
1613 TfL Rail to Reading
1628 TfL Rail to Reading
1713 TfL Rail to Reading
1742 GWR to Reading, Didcot Parkway
1813 TfL Rail ail to Reading
1842 GWR to Reading, Didcot Parkway
1913 TfL Rail to Reading

That doesn't really make sense - they must have intended to make all TfL Rail services available and all GWR ones barred. Note that not only are GWR trains restricted from Paddington, there are also separate peak restrictions from Reading.

There are several marked in the public restriction text as TBC too.

 

[JonathanH]

There are several marked in the public restriction text as TBC too.

Yes, the 1742 is one of them, the other two are 1620 Oxford and 1643 Didcot Parkway. The 1842 shows as restricted (without TBC). Hence, why I suggested that it appears possible that it is a full GWR block.

Note that these restrictions do not apply to a off-peak day return from 'London and Thames Valley' destinations to Potters Bar (and other destinations beyond London where the fare isn't set by GWR).

 

[nickswift99]

There’s also a GWR priced off peak ticket that doesn’t include these restrictions.