Off Peak Return, restriction code 8A

[trainophile]

According to NRE restriction code 8A states break of journey is not permitted except to change trains. Does this mean starting/ending short is also not permitted?

Ticket is Off Peak Return, return valid within one month. On Transport for Wales and Merseyrail. Short end/start would be on the TfW legs (change of plans, considering Colwyn Bay instead of Landudno). Barriers at CWB might reject paper tickets if not permitted.

 

[Watershed]

According to NRE restriction code 8A states break of journey is not permitted except to change trains. Does this mean starting/ending short is also not permitted?

Ticket is Off Peak Return, return valid within one month. On Transport for Wales and Merseyrail. Short end/start would be on the TfW legs (change of plans, considering Colwyn Bay instead of Landudno). Barriers at CWB might reject paper tickets if not permitted.

In theory, yes, starting late or finishing short is not permitted. The potential penalty would be to have to pay the difference to the cheapest fare permitting break of journey. However, in the context of there not being any return that permits break of journey, it's ambiguous how this would be calculated.

In any event, barriers are not programmed to accept or reject paper tickets based on whether break of journey is permitted; this isn't a property encoded into the ticket's magstripe. It's more likely that the ticket would be rejected simply because barriers have to be specifically programmed to accept tickets issued to/from a different station - and the CWB barriers might not be programmed to accept Llandudno (LLD) tickets.

 

[trainophile]

Ooh, confusing. Hmm thanks Watershed, I'll have to give it more thought. Damn silly restriction code anyway!

 

[mmh]

I often break (and resume) a journey with similar tickets at Colwyn Bay. You'll have no problem with this at all, and the barrier staff at Colwyn Bay (I use it 4-5 times a week) are great - the sort that get to know their regular passengers.

I doubt the restriction would be enforceable even if someone wanted to (they won't!) - TFW's app states that break of journey is allowed, see the screenshot below which states this even though a link is given to the 8A restriction page. Personally I'd buy a paper ticket, while TFW's multiflex tickets as m-tickets will scan OK for exit and re-entry I don't know how a "normal" ticket behaves.

 

[Llandudno]

Just get off at Colwyn Bay and in the very unlikely event there was an issue at Colwyn Bay station tell the staff you felt sick and that you thought you were about to throw up!

Problem solved - then head to the nearby Bay Hop micropub for a pint!!!!

 

[trainophile]

Just get off at Colwyn Bay and in the very unlikely event there was an issue at Colwyn Bay station tell the staff you felt sick and that you thought you were about to throw up!

Problem solved - then head to the nearby Bay Hop micropub for a pint!!!!

Thanks both. Still deciding whether to stay in CWB with a day trip to LLD or vice versa. Decisions decisions!

Edit: On a slightly related matter, are TFW drivers in ASLEF so likely to be affected by the overtime ban?

 

[SuperLuke2334]

Thanks both. Still deciding whether to stay in CWB with a day trip to LLD or vice versa. Decisions decisions!

Edit: On a slightly related matter, are TFW drivers in ASLEF so likely to be affected by the overtime ban?

TfW are not involved in the dispute, so you'll be fine.

 

[trainophile]

Thanks. That's reassuring.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

You don't say what the Merseyrail end point is, but (say) the Llandudno-Birkenhead Central return is £30, and the equivalent fare from Colwyn Bay is the same so there's no fare difference issue.
I've not had any trouble breaking 8A journeys at Chester, passing through the gates and back to reach Costa.

 

[Watershed]

I've not had any trouble breaking 8A journeys at Chester, passing through the gates and back to reach Costa.

That's slightly different as using station facilities is not considered a break of journey.

 

[pedr]

If there was an attempt to enforce this, would it be an applicable restriction on Saturdays and Sundays? The text of the restriction seems to say both Monday to Friday and Any day!

 

[trainophile]

Ticket is Southport to Llandudno via Liverpool and Chester.

 

[Llandudno]

Thanks both. Still deciding whether to stay in CWB with a day trip to LLD or vice versa. Decisions decisions!

Edit: On a slightly related matter, are TFW drivers in ASLEF so likely to be affected by the overtime ban?

Definitely stay in Llandudno, there isn’t much in Colwyn Bay these days!

Plenty of frequent buses to Colwyn Bay, Rhos on Sea and Conwy and there is also the Conwy Valley train to Betws y Coed or Blaenau Ffestiniog (although not much in BF in the winter!)

 

[Bletchleyite]

Definitely stay in Llandudno, there isn’t much in Colwyn Bay these days!

Plenty of frequent buses to Colwyn Bay, Rhos on Sea and Conwy and there is also the Conwy Valley train to Betws y Coed or Blaenau Ffestiniog (although not much in BF in the winter!)

Not much in Blaenau in summer either. Best bet is to take the same train back and stop off at Betws for 3 hours (!) on the way back.