University [Birmingham] - Swindon (Off-Peak Return)

[adam9413]

Hi

I'm looking to travel from University [Birmingham] to Swindon on Saturday 7th March.

I was going to use an off-peak return, departing at 1436, arriving at 1627 - changing at both Cheltenham Spa and Bristol Parkway. I am wanting to travel on these specific trains but getting an advance on this service would be £26.70 with a 16-25 railcard.

The off peak return is £28.65 and is specified "2V, NOT VIA LONDON" (fare set by Cross Country). However, on NRE, for the return options, there is a blank space for the routes via Bristol Parkway, and you can only select the route via Kemble (which is a bit more awkward for my timings).

Is going via Bristol Parkway not valid for some reason on the off-peak return? It is obviously a permitted route normally, so I don't know why NRE thinks that you cannot use a return this way. Londonmidland's site also does this.

Thank you,
Adam

 

[Merseysider]

You can travel via Bristol, as the Routeing Guide permits it.

University is associated with Birmingham Group (passes fares check) and Barnt Green (fails).

Swindon is a Routeing Point.

Birmingham -> Swindon is permitted on map BW via Bristol.

 

[adam9413]

Thanks a lot, National Rail put me off- thought it would be permitted.

 

[Romilly]

Alternatively, a University-Cheltenham offpeak day return is £15.85 and a Cheltenham-Swindon (route: Any Permitted - there is also a route: via Kemble, which is not what you want) offpeak day return is £11.15 and is shown as valid via Bristol Parkway on the journey planners. Total £27. But this assumes that you are coming back the same day.

 

[Merseysider]

If you do have any issues with staff (unlikely but still possible) whilst using the off peak return via Bristol, or the combination of tickets, do let us know as we will be more than happy to fight your corner.

 

[adam9413]

Oops, should have written that I will be returning the following day.

Thanks to both of you.
A 7 minute connection at Bristol Parkway will be strong faith in reliability.

 

[kieron]

You can travel via Bristol, as the Routeing Guide permits it.

Birmingham-Swindon isn't valid on the line between Bristol and Swindon, but only on the line via Chippenham. Smethwick-Swindon costs as much as University-Swindon, and is valid on all three lines on routes via University. I'd recommend adam9413 buys a ticket for that journey instead.

 

[adam9413]

Birmingham-Swindon isn't valid on the line between Bristol and Swindon, but only on the line via Chippenham. Smethwick-Swindon costs as much as University-Swindon, and is valid on all three lines on routes via University. I'd recommend adam9413 buys a ticket for that journey instead.

Very strange! Thanks for that

 

[bnm]

Birmingham-Swindon isn't valid on the line between Bristol and Swindon, but only on the line via Chippenham. Smethwick-Swindon costs as much as University-Swindon, and is valid on all three lines on routes via University. I'd recommend adam9413 buys a ticket for that journey instead.

Routeing Guide may say no, but booking engines allow Birmingham-Bristol Parkway-Swindon. No logical reason to disallow that routeing so I'd suggest it's a Routeing Guide error.

 

[bb21]

It's quite obviously a reasonable route. I doubt any guard would take exception.

Should there be any bother and the train company refuses to budge, I would say that a Disputed Route Procedure would be appropriate.