Train Season Ticket: Out of one station back to another on a different line?

BigBouncyBall

Hi

I'm starting a new job in London and looking to buy a weekly/monthly ticket (the monthly is only about £7 less so I think I'll just buy weeklies).

Now, from my nearest station (tunbridge wells) it costs £83.80 per week on a southeastern train. From Eridge (a tiny Southern railways station a mile further away) it's only £56.70 - quite a difference. Southern seem to always be 25-50% less on most tickets compared to Southeastern.

Getting up to london in the morning is no problem, but getting back at night, trains are sporadic; just one an hour as the station is tiny (unmanned!). However trains back to TW are much more frequent (every 15 mins).

So my question is can I buy the Eridge season ticket with the intention of going back there most days, but if there is no imminent train then hopping on one to Tunbridge Wells with the Eridge season ticket.

I'm tempted to chance it anyway, but the rules of these tickets always say you can travel by "any route" so can I legitimately travel back to this station at night claiming I could get to Eridge eventually on this route somehow by hook or by crook?

KeithP

No you cannot travel to Tunbridge Wells on a ticket from London to Eridge.

I do not think there is any train route between Tunbridge Wells and Eridge other than via London Bridge.

Why not cycle morning and evening to Eridge?

BigBouncyBall

ok

getting to and from the station isn't a problem. It's the trains from london bridge to eridge that are only one an hour. I suppose I might just have to get my timings right.

Debt_Free_Chick

That Eridge line is a shocking service. Suggest you try a month on that and then a month on the TW service. That will certainly help you decide, irrespective of cost!

BigBouncyBall

really? I've always much preferred the Eridge line. OK it takes about 10 mins more, but I always feel more relaxed on the train, it's never full, you always get a seat and it's a darn sight cheaper. It's just infrequent and you have to get your timings right.

misscutiepie1984

I would recommend getting a monthly though as if you lose it then you can apply for a duplicate ticket for approx £10, they won't replace weekly tickets.

BigBouncyBall

I wondered about that - i'm usually really careful about that kind of thing though. I'm always tapping my pockets to make sure I have everything after a horrible experience of leaving my phone on a bus!

I might do monthly tickets, It's just laying out £230 in one go every month is a bit tough to swallow at the moment.

property.advert

I have looked at a price from Farnham to Waterloo including tube and it is around £3600 a year or around £340 a month. Obviously buying the annual one is sensible. I suggest that the OP asks his employer for a season ticket loan if he doesn't have the funds.

However, on routes. I also have some options and it is quite clear that some cost more than others. Penalties are high and if it is not a permitted route, then you may well be caught out. They can prosecute you for all the journeys they think you made as well !