New Thameslink off peak fares.

[trevmonk]

Thameslink seemed to have increased the price of off peak day returns to London by about 20% (at least from St Albans). The up side is that the peak time restriction on return leg has been removed.

For the old price you can also now buy a new weekday super off peak return for journeys arriving in London after 10.55 but with the old evening peak return restriction still in place. The Carnet tickets seem to be unchanged.

Off Peak Day Travelcards are also now available in two versions at suitably different prices with and without the return restriction..

 

[AM9]

Thameslink seemed to have increased the price of off peak day returns to London by about 20% (at least from St Albans). The up side is that the peak time restriction on return leg has been removed.

For the old price you can also now buy a new weekday super off peak return for journeys arriving in London after 10.55 but with the old evening peak return restriction still in place. The Carnet tickets seem to be unchanged.

Off Peak Day Travelcards are also now available in two versions at suitably different prices with and without the return restriction..

Hasn't it always been that way since the evening restriction was introduced. Originally, they issued an off-peak travelcard with one or two anytime singles St Albans to Elstree. The difference is still about the same proportionally.

 

[swt_passenger]

Thameslink seemed to have increased the price of off peak day returns to London by about 20% (at least from St Albans). The up side is that the peak time restriction on return leg has been removed.

For the old price you can also now buy a new weekday super off peak return for journeys arriving in London after 10.55 but with the old evening peak return restriction still in place. The Carnet tickets seem to be unchanged.

Off Peak Day Travelcards are also now available in two versions at suitably different prices with and without the return restriction..

This sounds a little bit like what SWT did a few years ago, the difference being that they only introduced the evening peak restriction with the new super off-peak fare where there hadn't been a restriction before.

 

[Hadders]

Hmmm, A bit sneaky of GTR to slip this in at the May Pricing Round. I must admit looking at Avantix Traveller I'm a bit confused:

Pre-May Price Round:
St Albans-London Thameslink
Super Off Peak Day Return £8.60 (weekends only)
Off Peak Day Return £12.30 (restriction LS - has evening peak restrictions)
Anytime Day Return £20.00

St Albans-London Zones 1-6:
Super Off Peak Day £12.80 (weekends only)
Off Peak Day £17.90 (restriction code LS - has evening retrictions)
Anytime Day £27.20

Post May Price Change the fares are:
St Albans-London Thameslink
Super Off Peak Day Return £8.60 (weekends only)
Super Off Peak Day Return £12.30 (Mondays to Fridays - restriction code LS - has evening restrictions)
Off Peak Day Return £14.90 (restriction code L6)
Anytime Day Return £20.00

St Albans-London Zones 1-6:
No changes to the fares above

I'm confused because the evening restrictions on LS and L6 appear to be identical. Is this just a typical GTR cock-up or is there a difference between the electronic interpretation and the written version?

 

[trevmonk]

I'm confused because the evening restrictions on LS and L6 appear to be identical. Is this just a typical GTR cock-up or is there a difference between the electronic interpretation and the written version?

The outward restriction on L6 only applies to trains arriving at Kings Cross and Moorgate, which means there is no restriction on Thameslink journeys which all go via St Pancras. The LS restriction is presumably the one they meant to use.

 

[trevmonk]

Hasn't it always been that way since the evening restriction was introduced. Originally, they issued an off-peak travelcard with one or two anytime singles St Albans to Elstree. The difference is still about the same proportionally.

True, if you want to come back at peak time the new pricier Travelcard saves having to fiddle about with an excess.

If you were happy with the old cheaper fare and the restrictions it imposed you can stii buy it in its new Super Off Peak format. BUT outward the earliest time you can arrive in London has been put back an hour to 11.00 which will upset some.

 

[jon0844]

TL is doing a three month trial whereby super off peak ticket holders can still travel on the same services as with an off peak ticket. For example, 0929 at St Albans.

During that period, there will be monitoring of passenger usage as the idea of introducing the delay was to relieve pressure on the first off peak trains.

However, consultation with some rail user groups highlighted that some users (like low paid workers) saw a large price rise by having to purchase the more expensive off peak ticket. As such, the morning restriction has been lifted.

 

[richa2002]

TL is doing a three month trial whereby super off peak ticket holders can still travel on the same services as with an off peak ticket. For example, 0929 at St Albans.

During that period, there will be monitoring of passenger usage as the idea of introducing the delay was to relieve pressure on the first off peak trains.

However, consultation with some rail user groups highlighted that some users (like low paid workers) saw a large price rise by having to purchase the more expensive off peak ticket. As such, the morning restriction has been lifted.

Surely it's not a good sign if the class 700 cattle trucks are still not sufficient to handle demand on the first off peak trains.

 

[AM9]

Surely it's not a good sign if the class 700 cattle trucks are still not sufficient to handle demand on the first off peak trains.

The 'class 700 cattle trucks' as you want to call them give the maximum possible capacity for the line of any type of train. The recast timetable (next May?) will presumably optimise that capacity when the London Bridge route is back in use, - which is the primary objective of the Thameslink programme.
It seems that GTR are a bit sensitive to criticism of a mid-year price increase so if some serious shoulder-peak demand management is required, it will have to wait until after the full service is introduced.

 

[jon0844]

Surely it's not a good sign if the class 700 cattle trucks are still not sufficient to handle demand on the first off peak trains.

I assume that's why it's a trial and they'll be monitoring things.

 

[Haywain]

The 'class 700 cattle trucks' as you want to call them give the maximum possible capacity for the line of any type of train.

Unfortunately not matched with any idea of comfort for those unfortunate enough to have to use them.

 

[jon0844]

As every year goes by, we are needing trains with more room to shift people about. I think 12-car will be the limit, and there are only so many paths, so expect trains to get less and less seats as time goes on.

If the 700s are meant to be around for 40 years, what's the chance of them getting an internal layout modification in 15 or 20 years? And not one you'd like!

 

[AM9]

Unfortunately not matched with any idea of comfort for those unfortunate enough to have to use them.

I have no problems with them, which is fine as they are the only trains likely to be available until well after I stop travelling. At least those that need to travel can usually get on them instead of being left at stations because fewer passengers think that their need for more comfortable seating overrides the need for others to travel at all.

 

[Haywain]

The problem is that the seat layout which is too close together, supposedly allows more standing room. However, it negates this by ensuring that the majority of those sitting in the aisle seats have insufficient space to sit straight in the seat and thus have to sit at an angle and stick their legs into the aisle using up some of that valuable standing space.

 

[jon0844]

The problem is that the seat layout which is too close together, supposedly allows more standing room. However, it negates this by ensuring that the majority of those sitting in the aisle seats have insufficient space to sit straight in the seat and thus have to sit at an angle and stick their legs into the aisle using up some of that valuable standing space.

I think that's okay though. People move their legs if you're walking, and I am sure that everyone can adjust when crowded - just as happens daily on more crowded 3+2 services.

There is a risk of knees and legs touching, but I am sure most people can cope.