I live in South Manchester and find that, if I have to make my way home by bus in the late evening after a rail journey from the South, Manchester Piccadilly/Oxford Road have good connections - on the other hand, if I am able to get a lift Stockport is much better because of the parking and proximity to the M60 but the evening bus service is thin. I consider Stockport to be a Manchester station as it serves a large part of the city's population but that might not be how the rail network sees it.
So, if I have an advance ticket to Manchester, would I be liable for a huge standard fare payment from my station of origin if I alighted short at Stockport? The common sense answer would be "Of course not!" but, given the disgraceful way I have seen TOCs and their representatives treat their customers during my time on this forum I cannot be sure. Would I be better always booking an advance to Stockport and asking for an excess to Manchester if it turns out I cannot be picked up?
So, if I have an advance ticket to Manchester, would I be liable for a huge standard fare payment from my station of origin if I alighted short at Stockport? The common sense answer would be "Of course not!" but, given the disgraceful way I have seen TOCs and their representatives treat their customers during my time on this forum I cannot be sure. Would I be better always booking an advance to Stockport and asking for an excess to Manchester if it turns out I cannot be picked up?