Oxford/Reading to Bristol Season Tickets.

[route:oxford]

Was looking into the cost of travelling on a Season Ticket between Oxford & Bristol Temple Meads and for a colleague, Reading to Bristol Temple Meads coming up with the following costs for 12 months...

Reading-Bristol Temple Meads £6964

Oxford-Bristol Temple Meads £4812 (must not involve a change at Reading)

Oxford-Bristol Temple Meads £6648 (must not involve a change at London)

Am I being a little naive in thinking that the second fare of £6648 would be valid via Reading and if so, would be cheaper for my Reading colleague to purchase than the standard Reading to Bristol Temple Meads Ticket?

Out of Interest, is Bristol considered to be part of a grouping for season ticket purposes? ie is a Parkway ticket valid to Temple Meads and vice versa - they are the same price on each option.

 

[yorkie]

Yes, it would be valid via Reading.

A ticket to Temple Meads (there is no 'Bristol Group' destination) is valid at Parkway as the shortest route is always valid. Season tickets permit unlimited breaks of journey at any point on permitted routes between the two named stations.

 

[route:oxford]

Yes, it would be valid via Reading.

A ticket to Temple Meads (there is no 'Bristol Group' destination) is valid at Parkway as the shortest route is always valid. Season tickets permit unlimited breaks of journey at any point on permitted routes between the two named stations.

Great thanks...

Apologies for the inevitable question, but...

How close to London could the holder travel towards London on the "not London" ticket?

 

[tony_mac]

Would that still be valid for the Didcot route from Reading to Bristol, as that would involve doubling-back though Didcot? If not, the ticket would still be valid for travel via Reading and Westbury.

Isn't it wrong to say that Bristol Parkway is ok as it's on the shortest route when you aren't actually taking the shortest route? (and going via Reading instead).
It is on a permitted route, but only if doubling-back through Didcot.
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ok, ignore that - there is an easement that allows doubling back through Didcot!

I don't think that you can get closer to London than Reading as otherwise you would have to double-back through Reading to get to Bristol.