gWr morning peak times

[Gathursty]

I was at Marlow about 0930 on Friday and tried to select a railcard discount only to find that that it wasn't valid at this time. Confused I walked off and saw a small poster written by a Local Line Group association explaining the peak times for this route. Apparently 0958 is the end of the peak for Marlow. The next train was at 1000. There were about 7 people waiting at the ticket machine at 0958.

I'm only familiar with peak time ending at 0930. Why is gWr different in this respect?

The ticket machine did kick in with the railcard discount at about 0945 before everyone arrived but I was surprised with the ticket machine forbidding the discount. I'm used to machines just letting you buy whatever you like and the guard/inspector/gateline assistant reprimanding you afterwards.

 

[greatkingrat]

Where were you travelling to? For a Marlow - London ticket, the CDR is valid after 0930.

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

 

[jamiearmley]

Surely railcard discounts have a minimum fare before 10 am and are not affected by peak /off peak restrictions?

 

[jawr256]

As Jamie says, I think the validity of the Off Peak Day Return is a red herring - the O9 restriction for (eg.) Marlow to London ends at 09:30 (or 09:27 in the unpublished restrictions?), but the next train is not until 10:00. Edit: brfares lists an easement allowing travel on the 08:56 departure, so long as any other trains in the itinerary satisfy the main restiction. The Off Peak Day Return from Marlow to Maidenhead is valid from 08:30. But this isn't the point.

The issue in question is when the 26-30 railcard minimum fare applies, which is 04:30-09:59 everywhere - I suppose this ticket machine is only allowing tickets below the minimum fare to be bought up to ~15 minutes in advance of the cap being lifted.

 

[Gathursty]

I was only going to Maidenhead and back immediately.

 

[jamiearmley]

Neither the peak or the off peak fare then for that journey is over the £12 minimum fare before 10am. Therefore, railcard discounted ticket invalid before 10am for that journey. Hope that explains what happened.

 

[Hadders]

Not every Railcard has a 10am restriction or a minimum fare.