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National Express refusing to sell me off-peak Easter rail tickets!

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Comments

  • Shanklin as in Shanklin IoW? Could your problems be something to do with having to catch a ferry to IoW (unless they've recently built a Solent Tunnel) so you're not just dealing with a train company but also with a ferry company?

    Have you tried getting separate return train tickets to/from Portsmouth Harbour (for example) and then the IoW ones and buying a separate return ferry ticket?
    "One thing that is different, and has changed here, is the self-absorption, not just greed. Everybody is in a hurry now and there is a 'the rules don't apply to me' sort of thing." - Bill Bryson
  • MarkBargain
    MarkBargain Posts: 1,641 Forumite
    alanrowell wrote: »
    But they aren't choosing not to sell off-peak tickets on bank holidays, on that route there isn't any off-peak tickets AT ANY TIME

    My question is why though, when the whole journey is available off-peak by splitting the tickets?!
  • MarkBargain
    MarkBargain Posts: 1,641 Forumite
    alanrowell wrote: »
    I can't see off-peak tickets for Manningtree to Portsmouth Harbour.

    The National Express website shows an off-peak return for that journey for £39.60 using a NSE railcard.
  • MarkBargain
    MarkBargain Posts: 1,641 Forumite
    Shanklin as in Shanklin IoW? Could your problems be something to do with having to catch a ferry to IoW (unless they've recently built a Solent Tunnel) so you're not just dealing with a train company but also with a ferry company?

    Have you tried getting separate return train tickets to/from Portsmouth Harbour (for example) and then the IoW ones and buying a separate return ferry ticket?

    Yes, Shanklin IoW. It is nothing to do with the ferry though, as I can buy a London to Shanklin return (including ferry) for £41.20 (off peak return using NSE card).

    I could try booking lots of separate tickets, but really just wanted a simple through ticket as I imagine most passengers would.
  • MarkBargain
    MarkBargain Posts: 1,641 Forumite
    Manningtree to London NSE off-peak return £19.85
    London to Shanklin NSE off-peak return £41.20
    Oyster fares £3.20
    TOTAL = £64.40

    Manningtree to Shanklin standard return ticket = £121.00

    There, half-price by splitting tickets. Bad luck anyone who just pays the normal price I suppose! It shouldn't be like that.
  • Livingthedream
    Livingthedream Posts: 2,643 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    There, half-price by splitting tickets. Bad luck anyone who just pays the normal price I suppose! It shouldn't be like that.

    That's the simplified ticket system for you, as you have complained to the Train Company and you ain't happy with their reply, you could send a letter of complaint to one or both of these.

    Passenger Focus
    Office of the Rail Regulator

    Good luck, It might make you feel better but I can't see it changing anything, sorry.
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  • alanrowell
    alanrowell Posts: 5,394 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    My question is why though, when the whole journey is available off-peak by splitting the tickets?!
    At a guess too many changes in a short period of time involvings a number of TOCs & others.
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