WMR Super Off Peak In Peak?

[mb]

I have done the same commute from Barnt Green (BTG) to London Euston (EUS) for decades and always bought an Advance ticket for my train about a month ahead. It's usually the 0615 mid-week, usually on a Wednesday.

If I'm lucky, my train arrives into London from Birmingham New Street around 9.17am.

However, for the first time ever on Wednesday 28th August, I am being offered a 'Super Off Peak Single' ticket for my journey, which is £5 cheaper than the Advance. My journey for as long as I can remember always been classed as a 'peak time service'.

My worry is that if I purchase this cheaper 'Super Off Peak fare' then it won't be valid, as the Train Manager will say this is a peak service.

Or does this not matter if this service now classed as off-peak and my ticket purchase is valid regardless? Or is it a mistake by the train company?

Any advice gratefully appreciated. Thank you.

 

[jfollows]

There's no such thing as a "peak service", it's the ticket and its restrictions which determine which services you can use.

That said, the Super Off Peak Single you refer to (https://www.brfares.com/!faredetail?orig=BTG&dest=EUS&expert=on&flow=2&multi=0&fare=7&rte=42&tkt=OPS) has restriction code LG which ordinarily says

Not valid for travel on services timed to arrive London Terminals before 13:00.

but if you drill down further, this restriction does not apply Mon-Wed 26-28 August. Monday 26 August is a public holiday. Although this may be in error, if you buy the ticket it is valid for travel.

 

[tspaul26]

There is no such thing as a “peak time service”. Validity depends on the restriction code for the specific ticket.

In this case, your travel date is the week of the English summer bank holiday. It appears that the electronic restrictions (which journey planners use to identify potentially suitable tickets) have not been applied to the Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday of that week. As far as I can see this is an error and only the Monday should have been relaxed.

However, if you are sold the ticket for that itinerary then it should be accepted as valid for that specific journey.

Should being the operative word - you may well encounter practical difficulties on the day.

 

[jfollows]

Ensure you have an itinerary which shows the trains you want to travel on.

 

[mb]

It looks like a mistake to me. Thanks for the advice and I'll keep an itinerary.