As lots of you are frequent rail travelers I thought I’d ask for a little advice. my partner is currently on a training course in Liverpool, she has been given an open return off peak ticket between Liverpool and barnsley, she got out there ok as she traveled late (18.45) but as neither of use use trains I’m finding it quite difficult to get my head around the return ‘rules’ 1. can she use different operators? She went out on a trans Penine but the return option for her time is an EMR 2 off peak hours , between 15.30 and 18.30? If she was able to get for arguments sake a train at 15.15 would that be allowed as off peak even though most of journey is in peak? Or will she have to wail until after 18.30? Thanks for any help in this
I always used this to tell me what I could/couldn't do. https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/ticket-types/ticket-validity-finder/
Doesn't it say on the ticket whether it can be used on other operators? It's been a long time since I used trains but I'm sure it used to?
Cheers but no good just tells me what I already know that it can only be used during specific times but literally no more information other than that
I would have thought if the ticket doesn't specify an operator you would be fine. I think it only applies when youve bought a set ticket i.e. 0845 Virgin from Leeds to Kings X etc etc
Cheers I’m assuming that also as the little information I’ve found states any service running that route but I’m still stuck on wether she could get a train for example that departs in off peak 15.00 but makes most of its journey in peak or would she have to wail all the way until the next off peak window basically as long as she starts her journey in off peak it ok
Generally, the off-peak bit covers the journey. So if you have an off-peak from London, you have to travel after 7pm. If she asks at the station, the staff will advise her. Although going through Manchester at rush hour will likely be standing room only. TPT runs at 19 minutes past the hour from Liverpool to Meadowhall, so its a regular service.
if it says EMR only then she can only use EMR trains, 1515 would be okay even though most of the journey is at peak hours, if the ticket says ANY PERMITTED then she can use any operator via any route although Liverpool to Sheffield i believe is EMR route then change at sheffield for northern to barnsley after 1830 i think the offpeak starts again
Something so simple really shouldn’t be so complicated, the ticket she has is a train line QR code states it’s an open return Liverpool to Beasley via Sheffield no other information on the ticket nothing about operators nothing about time restrictions. Really frustrating and to think they want people to actually leave their cars for this!? Thanks for peoples help I guess her only option is to just go to the station and sit it out until the 18.40 comes in. At least she’ll have time to ask someone at the station any questions about it
As you say, so long as she starts the journey before the peak times, the off peak ticket is valid. I think for Liverpool to Barnsley via Sheffield peak times start at 16:00. I don't think I've ever seen a train ticket specify an operator, only the valid route. You may see something on a ticket that says "only valid on routes via Sheffield" or similar. That means exactly what it says, you can use any train, so long as one of the stopping stations is Sheffield. For Liverpool to Barnsley, you're going to need to change at Sheffield anyway. It just means you can't use routes that change at Leeds or anywhere else. So looking at National Railway Enquiries, her options appear to be the 15:19 or 19:19: Journey Planner - Trains Times and Fares - National Rail Enquiries
