Network Railcard - doesn't seem to work?

[harry1410]

Hello all,

Excellent site; but hadn't realised how truly Kafkaesque the ticketing system is until coming here.

Does anyone know why when I enquire about single tickets from Exeter to Reading on the 18th July at 10.56 (for example), on Cross Country's website, I get "Super off-peak singles" for £33.50 and "Off-peak singles" for £40 AND EXACTLY THE SAME PRICE WITH THE NETWORK RAILCARD?

AFAIK the Railcard can't be used before 10am (it isn't) and is no use for advance tickets (these aren't). So what am I missing?

Any help very much appreciated!

 

[yorksrob]

Have you tried putting in route via Basingstoke? Network SouthEast never stretched as far as Exeter on the main line, although it did via Honiton, so that is the only route on which the Network card is valid AFAIK.

 

[AlterEgo]

Agreed - it'll be valid via Basingstoke.

Check the map here: http://www.railcard.co.uk/network

 

[FGWman]

Yes those fare quoted are the FGW ones via Taunton. You cant use the network railcard for that route.

 

[yorkie]

Exeter St Davids [EXD] to Reading Stations
Route: Honiton Not Ldn

Off Peak Day Single [CDS] £34.50
Off Peak Day Return [CDR] £34.60
Anytime Day Single [SDS] £36.15
Anytime Day Return [SDR] £36.45
All prices above are with Network Railcard Discount applied

The Off Peak tickets are valid at any time after 0900 (no evening restriction applies). There is no point in the Anytime fares as you will be travelling off peak anyway with the Network Railcard.

Alternatively...

Exeter St Davids [EXD] to Reading Stations
Route: Any Permitted

Super Off Peak Single [SSS] £33.50 (Valid at or after 0910)
Off Peak Single [SVS] £40.00 (Valid at or after 0810, also valid on 0723/0743 changing at [stn]BRI[/stn])
Super Off Peak Return [SSR] £58.00 (Out: As above. Rtn: Various restrictions apply)
Off Peak Return [SVR] £70.00 (Out: As above. Rtn: Various restrictions apply)
Anytime Single [SOS] £79.50
Anytime Return [SOR] £159.00
All prices above are undiscounted

 

[harry1410]

That's brilliant, thanks. So the route is everything, and as it isn't obvious from the websites you have to specify a "via". Assuming of course you know the details of the route being quoted...

I think I'll be on a steep learning curve.

 

[yorkie]

That's brilliant, thanks. So the route is everything, and as it isn't obvious from the websites you have to specify a "via". Assuming of course you know the details of the route being quoted...

I think I'll be on a steep learning curve.

According to ATOC, fares are "simple", and "easy to understand", you can "buy with confidence" and just looking at the name of the ticket you can instantly figure out what time it is valid because "ticket terms and conditions are now the same across all train companies nationwide, so you know exactly where you stand" and "the fare names describe when you can buy or use your ticket, making it easier for you to decide what ticket suits your journey" and the system is so "simple" you can "buy with confidence" If you think I am making this up, take a look at their "simple" page, where they really do make such ludicrous, laughable, untrue claims.

Anyway, yes if you specify via Honiton you will get those fares. But if you use a WebTIS-based site (East Coast / London Midlan / Southern) you can use the 'show longer routes' option, and this should avoid the need to manually specify a via point

I try to avoid all Thetrainline-based sites, unless there are good reasons for doing so. In this case, there isn't.

Note that for a single, it is cheaper to get the Any Permitted ticket, which is going to be quicker as you can use the faster route via Taunton. Even not being able to use your railcard, it's still cheaper, this is because singles are more sensibly priced on this route.

 

[route:oxford]

Choosing the option "show slower journeys" will often show cheaper routings.

"Network Railcard" sometimes confuses staff outside the former "Network South East" area. I've been given a "Network Rail" card discount outside the area in the past.

 

[45104]

also available on star machines..... exeter to brighton,portsmouth and other stations in the same area ( routed via westbury - NOT in the network area ) giving network railcard discount !!