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

mustrum_ridcully

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?

MarkBargain

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

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

mustrum_ridcully wrote: »

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

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

MarkBargain wrote: »

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.

alanrowell

MarkBargain wrote: »

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.