Saving money on train fares by splitting tickets - a warning!

ashlar77

A warning to all moneysavers!

I have been regularly buying a split ticket between Oxford and Sheffield. Buying tickets to and from Leamington Spa saves over 10pounds per ticket!

I have been doing this for months with no problems.

Today, I went to the FastTicket machine to collect pre-booked tickets. The second leg of the journey was not printed by the machine.

I queried this at the ticket office and they said the FastTicket Machines have (as of today) been programmed not to give out split journey tickets! The ticket seller did print me out the second leg ticket, but he gave me a telling off (why? it's a legal ticket!) and I nearly missed my train.

In future, if you are doing this, leave plenty of time to collect your tickets or get the tickets delivered in advance...

gwapenut

Good warning, thanks, could have been ugly.

What happens if you book the two legs using two different credit cards? Fancy risking it and trying it out?

The cheek of it, him telling you off for buying a legal ticket!

Begs the question, why did the website that sold you the tickets take your money and enter into a contract which wouldn't be fulfilled? Don't think they have a leg to stand on legally. I'd still board the train with my booking docs but no ticket and if it came to a confrontation, have it out with them in court.

laird

Sounds suspicious, you should report the incident to the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC)

Is there not a duty on retailers to sell any valid requested ticket?

coral

Interesting - sure the two-card "trick" would work, but shouldn't have to do that really.

Martin or his team should look into this as they seem to be pushing the split ticketing fairly hard.

gwapenut

laird wrote:

Sounds suspicious, you should report the incident to the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC)

Is there not a duty on retailers to sell any valid requested ticket?

After all, for all he knows you may have needed to disembark at Leamington Spa. And whether you need to or not is none of his business.

gwapenut

coral wrote:

Interesting - sure the two-card "trick" would work, but shouldn't have to do that really.

Martin or his team should look into this as they seem to be pushing the split ticketing fairly hard.

Good idea, I think it should be flagged to Martin. Any ideas how?

gwapenut

I've emailed the powers that be...