Taking direct/through trains (taking routes not otherwise permitted): is BOJ allowed?

[yorkie]

This thread is to discuss whether or not break of journey (BOJ) is allowed when taking trains which are through/direct trains from origin to destination shown on the ticket, but the routes would not otherwise be permitted routes. For example Retford to Adwick via Sheffield.


New conditions regarding direct trains:

13.3 Your Ticket may show that it is valid only on certain train services, such as those of a particular Train Company, or on trains travelling via a certain route or routes. If no specific route or Train Company is shown, then (subject to any time restrictions for the type of fare you have purchased) it will be valid on:

a) any direct train service between the station(s) shown on your Ticket;

b) by any services (including any change of trains) over the shortest route which can be used by scheduled passenger services between the stations shown on your Ticket;

c) any other routes as shown in the ‘National Routeing Guide’.

New conditions regarding break of journey:

16.4 Generally, you may start, or break and resume, a journey (in either direction in the case of a return Ticket) at any intermediate station, as long as the Ticket you hold is valid for the trains you want to use. However, this may not be the case with some through services that take an indirect route. You may also end your journey (in either direction in the case of a return Ticket) before the destination shown on the Ticket.

New non-contractual "information":

INFORMATION: For example, where a train service makes a circular journey, you may travel either way to the destination on your ticket. However, you would not normally be allowed to get off at an intermediate station where the fare would have been higher.

Existing conditions regarding direct trains:

13. The route you are entitled to take

(a)You may travel between the stations shown on the ticket you hold in:

(i) a train on which you are able to make your entire journey without changing trains;
(ii) trains which take the shortest route which can be used by scheduled passenger services; or
(iii) trains which take the routes shown in the National Routeing Guide

If you ask them to, the Ticket Seller must advise you on whether your intended route is valid with your ticket.

(b) If you are using a Zonal Ticket you may travel in trains which take any route within the zone or zones shown on the ticket.

(c) Together, the routes referred to in (a) (ii), (a) (iii) and (b) above are the “permitted routes"

Existing conditions regarding break of journey:

16 Starting, breaking or ending a journey at intermediate stations
You may start, or break and resume, a journey (in either direction in the case of a return ticket) at any intermediate station, as long as the ticket you hold is valid for the trains you want to use. You may also end your journey (in either direction in the case of a return ticket) before the destination shown on the ticket. However, these rights may not apply to some types of tickets for which a break of journey is prohibited, in which case the Ticket Seller must make this clear when you buy your ticket.

There have been many threads asking if passengers can take a through/direct train, from the origin of their ticket, to the destination of their ticket, and break their journey. For example Retford to Adwick being used for break of journey at Sheffield.

Some people didn't want to break their journey, but simply wanted to change trains en-route.

So, the question is: do the new rules make it harder to justify breaking your journey on such a ticket?

Previous threads have included:

• Valid Routes between London Bridge and London Victoria (2015)
• Is a no-changes journey always a permitted route? (Retford to Adwick) (2013)
• Bizarre ticketing prices today (Gainsborough to Adwick) (2013)
  
• Circular Services and the Routeing Guide (and break of journey) (2011)
• Romsey - Southampton via Eastleigh (2009)

 

[paul1609]

Southeastern would seem to be on a no-winner here with the HS services, if break of journey was permitted you would be able to do a Margate to St Pancras journey starting short on an Ashford to London Terminals ticket or any country journey on a Gravesend to St Pancras ticket.