Another season ticket loophole or not?

Garnigo_Tarmeister

I need to get an annual season ticket from Tonbridge to London. Searching for a season ticket on the South Eastern website using a standard "from - Tonbridge Station, To - London (All)" brings back a cost of £3,980 for a yearly ticket.

However if I keep the "from" station as Tonbridge, and put in the "To" station as Woldingham and then add in the "Via" option as via London All then it brings back a cost of £2,304 - nearly £1,700 cheaper!

So:

Option 1 - From: Tonbridge, To: London (All) = £3,980
Option 2 - From: Tonbridge, To: Woldingham, Via: London (All) = £2,304

But I am confused because when I look at one of the terms for Option 2 it says: "12 months - Season ticket valid via: Not valid for travel via (changing trains or passing through) London Terminals".

Am I therefore dreaming in thinking I could get away with Option 2?

Browntoa

Not valid for travel via (changing trains or passing through) London Terminals".

says to me its not valid

Garnigo_Tarmeister

That is what I suspected, although the fact you can specify that a journey via London Terminals and then it comes up as a condition that it is "Not valid for travel via (changing trains or passing through) London Terminals" seems strange to me.

wealdroam

Garnigo_Tarmeister, where exactly in London are you heading for?

The ticket that you have found is valid on the Southern services from Tonbridge direct to Clapham Junction (train goes on to Victoria).

Would that be useful combined with either a Oyster, either payg or travelcard, for your onward journey?

Garnigo_Tarmeister

Well I'm going to be working right next to Victoria Station so London Victoria would be ideal.

Thanks for your reply wealdroam

wealdroam

Garnigo_Tarmeister wrote: »

Well I'm going to be working right next to Victoria Station so London Victoria would be ideal.

Thanks for your reply wealdroam

But you must change trains at Clapham Junction and touch in on Oyster.

Also, there don't appear to be that many trains on that route via Redhill.

You should check the journey times via Redhill too.

Just a couple of points to consider before splashing the cash.

Garnigo_Tarmeister

Thanks Wealdroam, looking at the train times it might not be worth me getting the Oxted ticket.

I'm starting a new career up in London and taking a paycut to do something I love, so I'm looking to save money whereever possible and it is slightly galling having to pay £4,000 for a train ticket!

yorkie2

wealdroam wrote: »

The ticket that you have found is valid on the Southern services from Tonbridge direct to Clapham Junction (train goes on to Victoria).

How do you get from Tonbridge to Woldingham via Clapham Junction on a ticket that is routed not via London, without doubling back?

yorkie2

Garnigo_Tarmeister wrote: »

But I am confused because when I look at one of the terms for Option 2 it says: "12 months - Season ticket valid via: Not valid for travel via (changing trains or passing through) London Terminals".

Am I therefore dreaming in thinking I could get away with Option 2?

I don't know how you reach that conclusion?

If you specify via London, the Southeastern website will give you itineraries via London if you select the ticket which is "valid for travel via London'. But it will not give you itineraries on the ticket which is "Not valid for travel via London"; all the itineraries are greyed out and it says "X Trains unavailable for your selected fare".

If you don't specify any via point, it will give you itineraries changing at places like East Croydon or Edenbridge (involving a walk).

wealdroam

yorkie2 wrote: »

How do you get from Tonbridge to Woldingham via Clapham Junction on a ticket that is routed not via London, without doubling back?

Here is a sample from Southern's journey planner:



On closer inspection it does show a doubleback through East Croydon.

I am not too familiar with National Rail Enquiries Journey Planner, but if that can be persuaded to provide a similar itinerary, I understand that the route is acceptable.

Garnigo_Tarmeister

yorkie2 wrote: »

I don't know how you reach that conclusion?

If you specify via London, the Southeastern website will give you itineraries via London if you select the ticket which is "valid for travel via London'. But it will not give you itineraries on the ticket which is "Not valid for travel via London"; all the itineraries are greyed out and it says "X Trains unavailable for your selected fare".

If you don't specify any via point, it will give you itineraries changing at places like East Croydon or Edenbridge (involving a walk).

I can't include an image as I am a new poster, but I went to the tickets section of the South Eastern website.

In the 'From' station I selected Tonbridge, in the 'To' station I selected Woldingham. I selected 'More Options' chose 'Via' from the drop down box and then selected 'London (All)' and clicked search.

It brings back two prices for annual tickets - £2,304 and £3,744. If you hover over the £2,304 price it comes up with a box saying "12 months - Season ticket valid via: Not valid for travel via (changing trains or passing through) London Terminals".