On Jun 18, 1:28 pm, billy.shea...@o2.co.uk wrote:
> On 18 June, 12:28, Simon Field <ee> wrote:
>
> [snip]
>> -----
>> That's correct. I added National Express because they price the route,
> and decided that a Business Saver would be an Off Peak Return, whereas
> I think the other TOCs made the Saver an Off Peak Return. Hence the
> confusion. The fare from London to Wick was £138.90 "Any Permitted
> Route", should Inspector Field need further evidence. ;)

So did you undertake this journey pre-'simplification' when the ticket
was marked as being a "Business Saver" (or whatever the code for that
is)?

If so, the comment about "a fares 'simplication' that leaves the
conductors confused" doesn't make much sense either.

I'm confused!

On Jun 18, 1:13 pm, Theo Markettos <theom+n>
wrote:

> John B <s> wrote:
> > Had it been a National Express Super Off Peak Return, it wouldn't have
> > been valid on his train.
>
> > I'm assuming it was simply a Super Off Peak Return...?
>
> Isn't it on that funny bit of the ECML (was it York-Newcastle?) where
> tickets are 'Route: NXEC only' or 'Route: XC only' but no interavailable
> flexible tickets?  Why /is/ that allowed, anyway?

Does this actually happen? (If so then maybe someone else - i.e.
Northern - price the fare, though it wouldn't be York-Newcastle.)

On Jun 18, 2:34 pm, Mizter T <mizte> wrote:
> On Jun 18, 1:28 pm, billy.shea...@o2.co.uk wrote:
>>
>>
>>
> So did you undertake this journey pre-'simplification' when the ticket
> was marked as being a "Business Saver" (or whatever the code for that
> is)?
>
> If so, the comment about "a fares 'simplication' that leaves the
> conductors confused" doesn't make much sense either.
>
> I'm confused!

Well, the conductor was confused too.

One thing is important - My Super Off Peak Return was valid on any XC
train between Edinburgh and York. The conductor acted like it wasn't,
but that he was doing me a favour by graciously letting me pay for my
Weekend First upgrade.

If this had happened before the fares "simplication" then I suspect my
ticket would have said Business Saver, not Super Off Peak Return.

On Jun 18, 2:34 pm, Mizter T <mizte> wrote:

> On Jun 18, 1:28 pm, billy.shea...@o2.co.uk wrote:
>>
>>
>
> So did you undertake this journey pre-'simplification' when the ticket
> was marked as being a "Business Saver" (or whatever the code for that
> is)?
>
> If so, the comment about "a fares 'simplication' that leaves the
> conductors confused" doesn't make much sense either.
>
> I'm confused!

Argh, I've managed to confuse myself! Billy Shearer didn't make any mention
of him holding a Business Saver ticket, he only spoke of holding a Super Off
Peak Return - my apologies.

On Jun 18, 4:15 pm, billy.shearer wrote:

> On Jun 18, 2:34 pm, Mizter T <mizte> wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>

(See my other post where I admit to having confused myself!)

>
> Well, the conductor was confused too.
>
> One thing is important - My Super Off Peak Return was valid on any XC
> train between Edinburgh and York. The conductor acted like it wasn't,
> but that he was doing me a favour by graciously letting me pay for my
> Weekend First upgrade.
>
> If this had happened before the fares "simplication" then I suspect my
> ticket would have said Business Saver, not Super Off Peak Return.

No - for NXEC priced tickets pre-'simplification' a Super Off Peak Return
would have been a Saver, whilst an Off Peak Return would have been a
Business Saver.

billy.shearer wrote:

> One thing is important - My Super Off Peak Return was valid on any XC
> train between Edinburgh and York. The conductor acted like it wasn't,
> but that he was doing me a favour by graciously letting me pay for my
> Weekend First upgrade.
>
> If this had happened before the fares "simplication" then I suspect my
> ticket would have said Business Saver, not Super Off Peak Return.

It would have said Saver presumably. The Business Saver became the 'normal'
Off Peak Return, which appeared to be an NXEC pricing trick, according to
previous discussions here...

Paul

On 18 June, 18:17, "Paul Scott" <notvalidpmsc>
wrote:
> billy.shea...@o2.co.uk wrote:
> > One thing is important - My Super Off Peak Return was valid on any XC
> > train between Edinburgh and York. The conductor acted like it wasn't,
> > but that he was doing me a favour by graciously letting me pay for my
> > Weekend First upgrade.
>
> > If this had happened before the fares "simplication" then I suspect my
> > ticket would have said Business Saver, not Super Off Peak Return.
>
> It would have said Saver presumably. The Business Saver became the 'normal'
> Off Peak Return, which appeared to be an NXEC pricing trick, according to
> previous discussions here...
>
> Paul

See how confusing it is? I feel sorry for the conductor now...!

Theo Markettos <theom+news> wrote:
>John B <spam> wrote:
>> Had it been a National Express Super Off Peak Return, it wouldn't have
>> been valid on his train.
>>
>> I'm assuming it was simply a Super Off Peak Return...?
>
>Isn't it on that funny bit of the ECML (was it York-Newcastle?) where
>tickets are 'Route: NXEC only' or 'Route: XC only' but no interavailable
>flexible tickets? Why /is/ that allowed, anyway?


Perhaps it is a legacy of the ECML electrification and upgrade under BR
in the early 90s, when a surcharge was added to all ECML fares to
contribute to the cost of the project. I think the fare supplement
applied only to InterCity East Coast and Regional Railways services, but
it is a long time ago and I cannot be sure. However, I recall that
there was at least one discussion about it on this very newsgroup, I
think probably in the second half of 1998 or first half of 1999.

On Jun 17, 11:58 pm, EE507 <ee> wrote:
> Spotted this linked from the, er, GC website:
>
> [..]...
>
> Personally, I never had issues with GNER grippers (in contrast to many
> uk.railway GNER-hating whingers), but I have noticed an increase in
> threatening announcements about ticket validity under NXEC, adding to
> the general deterioration in on-board service.

Only one train in action at the mo - this always seems to catch GC by
surprise - at a time when they should be caning BowkerRail:

Disruption to Services

We apologise to passengers for the current disruption to our
services. We are attempting to restore our normal level of service as
soon as possible, however due to technical difficulties the following
alterations will apply.

Sunday 21st June 2009

1342 Sunderland - London - This service will start from York at 1615-
a coach service will be provided for passengers from Hartlepool at
14:10, Eaglescliffe at 14:45 and arriving at York at 15:55.

1345 London - Sunderland - This service will terminate at York - a
coach service will convey passengers for Eaglescliffe , Hartlepool and
Sunderland from York Station departing at 16:00.

18:42 Sunderland - London - This service is cancelled.


Monday 22nd June 2009

0804 London to Sunderland - this service is cancelled.

Where services are cancelled, or part cancelled, Grand Central staff
will be available at key stations to provide onward travel
arrangements.

For further information please contact 0845 6034852.

Grand Central apologises for any inconvenience caused.