Can someone explain this fares oddity?

[mrandrewperkins]

Hi all

Planning to travel Oxford to Bristol in a few days. Will want to
arrive at Temple Meads, but return may be from either Temple Meads or
Montpellier depending on how the day goes.

The logical thing would be that I buy a ticket Oxford to Montpellier
and waste the last bit of the outward portion, which I've done several
times before, only normally at the weekend, when there's no peak time
issue to contend with.*

Was planning to travel after the morning peak / cheaper fares, on a
16-25 railcard.

If I enter OXF-BRI into National Rail Enquiries, I can get a £11.75
off-peak day-return dep09:37 (OXF) arr11:12(BRI).

Whereas

If I enter OXF-MTP the dep09:37 train isn't listed, but a dep09:43 is
instead - arr1211(MTP) - however that is priced only at the £29.05 off-
peak open-return rate.

The first train to Montpellier I can buy is the dep10:37(OXF)
arr12:43.

My question is can I buy (at the station) an OXF-MTP off-peak-day-
return and use it on the dep09:37 (OXF) arr11:12(BRI) ? - and if not,
why not.

[mrandrewperkins]

Minor typo:

> The first train to Montpellier I can buy ... an off-peak-day-return at £12.50 ...
> is the dep10:37(OXF) arr12:43.

[Mark Morton]

mrandrewperkins@********** wrote:
> Hi all
>
> Planning to travel Oxford to Bristol in a few days. Will want to
> arrive at Temple Meads, but return may be from either Temple Meads or
> Montpellier depending on how the day goes.
>
> The logical thing would be that I buy a ticket Oxford to Montpellier
> and waste the last bit of the outward portion, which I've done several
> times before, only normally at the weekend, when there's no peak time
> issue to contend with.*
>
> Was planning to travel after the morning peak / cheaper fares, on a
> 16-25 railcard.
>
> If I enter OXF-BRI into National Rail Enquiries, I can get a £11.75
> off-peak day-return dep09:37 (OXF) arr11:12(BRI).

Off Peak Day Return, route Not Reading

> > Whereas
>
> If I enter OXF-MTP the dep09:37 train isn't listed, but a dep09:43 is
> instead - arr1211(MTP) - however that is priced only at the £29.05 off-
> peak open-return rate.

That's an Off Peak Return, route Not London, allowing you to go via
Reading. That's why it costs more. And the 0943 journey is
Oxford-Reading-Bristol.

> > The first train to Montpellier I can buy is the dep10:37(OXF)
> arr12:43.
>
> My question is can I buy (at the station) an OXF-MTP off-peak-day-
> return and use it on the dep09:37 (OXF) arr11:12(BRI) ? - and if not,
> why not.

I can't see any reason why not. Just make sure it's the off peak day
return route Not Reading, get the 0937 and change at Didcot.

[Peter Smyth]

<mrandrewperkins@**********> wrote in message
news:8e2e3ddf-b13b-49ec-b892-c1545bcd97fc@e24g2000vbe.************.com...
> Hi all
>
> Planning to travel Oxford to Bristol in a few days. Will want to
> arrive at Temple Meads, but return may be from either Temple Meads or
> Montpellier depending on how the day goes.
>
> The logical thing would be that I buy a ticket Oxford to Montpellier
> and waste the last bit of the outward portion, which I've done several
> times before, only normally at the weekend, when there's no peak time
> issue to contend with.*
>
> Was planning to travel after the morning peak / cheaper fares, on a
> 16-25 railcard.
>
> If I enter OXF-BRI into National Rail Enquiries, I can get a £11.75
> off-peak day-return dep09:37 (OXF) arr11:12(BRI).
>
> Whereas
>
> If I enter OXF-MTP the dep09:37 train isn't listed, but a dep09:43 is
> instead - arr1211(MTP) - however that is priced only at the £29.05
> off-
> peak open-return rate.

The reason is does not show the 0937 is because the 4 minute connection
at Bristol on to the 1116 to Montpelier is below the minimum connection
time.

> The first train to Montpellier I can buy is the dep10:37(OXF)
> arr12:43.
>
> My question is can I buy (at the station) an OXF-MTP off-peak-day-
> return and use it on the dep09:37 (OXF) arr11:12(BRI) ? - and if not,
> why not.

Yes, the restriction code is L8 (for both Bristol and Montpelier) which
is valid on any train after 0915.

Peter Smyth

[mrandrewperkins]

Thanks as ever for the swift replies.