Some advice required please

upstandingdragon

Hi all,

My name's Stefan, I'm new to the forums, looking for a bit of advice please

4 days a week I get a return ticket, from Adwick to Wakefield Westgate

now, on the National Rail website, it states a couple of options for return:

Wakefield Westgate to Adwick, no changes, 18:32, this is perfect, gets me home in no time, but I struggle to make it in time for departure

other option is Wakefield to Adwick, one change, in Doncaster
it clearly states that this is a valid route, the train goes past Adwick to Doncaster, and then back over to Adwick.

I've been using this route, once or twice a month since September, if I miss my first train direct to Adwick, the 2nd option is great, gets me home a little later, but better than waiting an hour for next direct to adwick train.

Today, a ticket inspector, who was quite rude, told me my ticket was invalid, I explained that the website states it as a valid route, and inspector stood his ground and invalidated my ticket, I asked to speak to someone higher and he refered me to station staff, who wasn't helpful either, and told me to see customer services, again customer services weren't helpful, and even the station manager said I can't go past my destination and then go back over. but we're talking 2 stops, which takes longer anyway, and the National Rail website clearly lists it as an option with my ticket.

I could complain to North Rail, customer relations, I have their number, but really can't be bothered with hassle, unless I have to.

I'm just annoyed, and quite embarrassed as the way they were talking to me, was as if I'm trying to get a free trip into Doncaster.

Would printing off the website page be sufficient enough? as this route is ideal for me if I miss my initial prefered train.

Any advice would be appreciated as to how I stand

Many thanks all,
Best wishes

Stefan

_ollie_

It's not a valid route, and the National Rail website tells you this, but unfortunately only seems to when you look at the fare options.

KeithP

The ticket inspector is correct.

The National Rail Journey Planner does indeed show the via Doncaster as valid, but if you click on 'Details' you will see (amongst other stuff)...

You need to buy more than one ticket for this journey

Also if you click on Check fares you will see that the single direct fare is £4.20, and via Doncaster it is £7.80.

You probably buy returns, but the principle is the same.

Perhaps not what you wanted to hear... sorry.

upstandingdragon

Ah yeah, I see that now, feel rather silly about the whole thing now

I do think its quite misleading though, the way its listed on the page with the other options...

If I was to buy a return from Adwick to Doncaster, as the extra ticket, that should be fine yeah?

That would mean my ticket would take me as far as Adwick, and then the extra ticket would carry me to Doncaster and then back over?
That should be valid I hope

Thanks for the replies, I should have looked closer at the details

Stefan

KeithP

upstandingdragon wrote: »

If I was to buy a return from Adwick to Doncaster, as the extra ticket, that should be fine yeah?

That would mean my ticket would take me as far as Adwick, and then the extra ticket would carry me to Doncaster and then back over?
That should be valid I hope.

No sorry that's not valid either.

To be valid the train has to stop at the station where you change from one ticket to the other.
And if it did stop at Adwick you would get off would't you?

It would work if you used a season ticket from Adwick to Wakefield. You could then buy an Adwick-Doncaster return to supplement your season ticket and that is ok.