British Rail

Loobeylou

On holiday recently with my OH we found ourselves at St Ives railway station wishing to get the next train back. However, when we went to pay for our tickets we were advised they could not issue a single fare, but that we would have to purchase a return. As we had walked to St Ives, we only wanted two single fares. We asked if we could use the return part of the ticket on a different day, but no.

The train was in, everyone was getting on and we were in danger of missing it, so we bowed to pressure, paid for two returns and got on the train.

However, where do we stand with British Rail on this? You would not get on a bus and have them insist you pay for a return fare. Surely BR cannot stipulate that you HAVE to purchase a return ticket for a single fare? They did just this, but is it legal?

EDIT: May have incorrectly posted this - I now notice there is a thread for transport.

mrcow

Just a thought, but on occassions, return fairs are actually cheaper than singles anyway (please don't ask me why!).

Do you know how much money in terms of difference this was? How much were your tickets (not a lot I'd guess if you'd managed to walk one way, you could be talking pence?)?

Is it really worth your time/effort to complain to the local train company? If you like an argument for the sake of it, then go ahead (although BR doesn't exist anymore ).

looby75

if you go to the national rail enquires site you will be able to check how much a single is vs a return and then decide if it's worth your time making a complaint.

JohalaReewi

Was this to the park and ride car park? AFAIR the train ticket is a combined return ticket and car parking permit so perhaps there isn't a 'single' option for that particular station?