Cambridge / Royston -> London Dual Route Availability

[bras0978]

Could anyone tell me where I could find out about "Dual Route Ability" for a specific season ticket? The NRE website says that it "may be available", but I can't see somewhere to check.

I would be getting a season ticket from Royston to Kings Cross, but if there were problems with the KGX line (as there were this week) I would want to be able to use the ticket on the Liverpool St line, from Whittlesford or some other station.

I think this is possible if you are travelling from Cambridge (where both lines meet), but I would not be doing so.

Apologies if this has already been answered but I'm afraid I couldn't find it on the forums anywhere. Thanks in advance!

 

[bb21]

Err, it seems that none of the stations south of Cambridge can use Cambridge as a routeing point for southbound journeys as they do not pass the fare checks rule (SDS Royston/Foxton (FCC)-London Terminals £17.00, Shelford (NXEA)-London Terminals £19.00 and Cambridge-London £19.10). Given that the only place the two lines come together is Cambridge, I'm afraid that it seems you're limited in your choices and cannot go into Liverpool Street. You do have the small consolation of going into Moorgate (Ahh!) whenever you want.

An annual season Royston-London Terminals is £3624 and Cambridge-London is £3764, a difference of £140 for 12 months, which is valid also for Royston and gives you the flexibility of Liverpool Street for a modest sum if you really need it.

Then I'm sure yorkie will be able to figure something out.

Edited: Typos

 

[bras0978]

I'm not sure if this is the same as what you were saying or not (I'm a newbie!).

On the NRE site, it says:

If two railway lines run close to each other (for example, Bedford on the East Midlands Trains runs very close to Milton Keynes of the West Coast Mainline), it may possible to buy season tickets with dual route availability - i.e. valid on the London to Milton Keynes line and on the London to Bedford route.

So I wouldn't be trying to use Cambridge as a routing point per se, more that the two lines run close to each other and therefore I would like to be able to by a season ticket valid for both of them.

Your point about the 12-month ticket from Cambridge not being much more is a good idea - I'd not thought about that!

 

[bb21]

I think the difference with Bedford is that it is a routeing point in itself and according to the Routeing Guide the permitted route Bedford-London is using map LB (Thameslink/FCC into relevant stations), LM (via Watford Junction and Euston) and MM (EMT into St Pancras) and a route Any Permitted ticket would allow you to use any of the above.

Royston has two routeing points in Stevenage and Cambridge but Cambridge does not pass the fare checks rule (having a higher Anytime Day Single fare into London than Royston) so you can only use Stevenage as your valid routeing point. Stevenage-London is permitted only on map EE and that goes into King's Cross or Moorgate.

You cannot go via Cambridge as it is not a valid route unless there is an easement but I can't seem to find any. A Cambridge-London route Any Permitted season ticket would allow you to go Royston-Cambridge-Liverpool Street as you're allowed to travel on either FCC and NXEA routes.

I don't think it is a question of nearby railway lines but the fact that it has to be a valid route, which unfortunately does not seem so in your case via CBG.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I've just read your post again. Bedford-London can use the West Coast Main Line because it is a valid route (not so much due to nearby railway lines) by map LM. I don't think you can change at Milton Keynes as that involves doubling-back between Milton Keynes and Bletchley but you can change at Bletchley using that map.

 

[philjo]

I think there used to be a dual route season ticket valid from either Royston to Kings Cross & also from Whittlesford/Audley End (I forget which) to Liverpool Street. (but NOT valid to cambridge unless there was major disruption on one of the routes)
This was in WAGN days when it was the same company running both lines - I can't see this listed on the FCC or NXEA websites as an option.
I know that there are several of these offered by FCC e.g. Letchworth/Arlesey, Cambridge/Huntingdon etc.
I think there is one valid from either Royston & st Neots (or may be Sandy) - haven't got the list on me at the moment.

 

[A60K]

bb21: I think you're getting the Routing Guide permitted routes confused with Dual Route Season Tickets that are being asked about.

Dual Route Season Tickets are available on some routes precisely to allow journeys that otherwise would not be permitted by the Routing Guide.

 

[Nick W]

On the other hand, most of the time when there is disruption, tickets valid only on disrupted routes tend to be accepted on other routes. If this wasn't the case, and you tried it, any guard who knew a thing about customer impression would graciously accept the ticket. Otherwise, I know you couldn't be penalty fared since you'd be travelling off-route rather than without a ticket, but I don't think you could get an excess on a single journey basis. So I think it would require paying the cheapest available walk on single-fare.

 

[bb21]

bb21: I think you're getting the Routing Guide permitted routes confused with Dual Route Season Tickets that are being asked about.

Dual Route Season Tickets are available on some routes precisely to allow journeys that otherwise would not be permitted by the Routing Guide.

I see. I think the OP might need to ring the relevant TOC about this as no one seems to know exactly what routes are offered.

Try 0121 6251122 option 3 to enquire with NXEA and 01752 675661 for FCC customer relations if you have inclusive minutes.

 

[John @ home]

Could anyone tell me where I could find out about "Dual Route Ability" for a specific season ticket?

Details of Dual Route Availability season tickets used to be published as Section N of the National Fares Manual. This ceased to be printed in 2008. This current information appears not to be in the public domain. The last copy I hold of Section N of a National Fares Manual in electronic form is from NFM 90, valid June - September 2005. Section N of NFM 90 is attached.

Page N6 shows a dozen or so Dual Availability Season Tickets in the former WAGN franchise area, but unfortunately none to assist a passenger wishing to use Royston or Whittlesford Parkway - London.

I you want to use both stations on a fairly regular basis, I suspect a Cambridge - London season ticket may be your cheapest option. If your need is only at times of rail service disruption then a Royston - London ticket should suffice. When disruption occurs, train companies announce availability by alternative routes quite promptly these days.

 

[philjo]

I have found this list from NFM98 - it seems to be much shorter for FCC stations.

the ticket that was valid at each of Potters Bar/Cuffley/Cheshunt is no longer listed.

http://www.atoc.org/retail/_downloads/NFM98/NFM98_London_N.pdf

 

[bb21]

I have a question then in this case. In NFM98, for example, Fleet (SWT) is listed as being interavailable with Aldershot (£74.20 to London Terminals), Farnham (£75.30) and Frimley (£74.00). So if I'm travelling from Fleet, then is it not cheaper to just buy a Frimley-London Terminals ticket, assuming that Fleet-London Terminals is more expensive than £74.00?

 

[John @ home]

is it not cheaper to just buy a Frimley-London Terminals ticket, assuming that Fleet-London Terminals is more expensive than £74.00?

No. Current prices for Fleet - London Terminals 7-day season tickets are:

route Any Permitted £74.70
route AAA Frimley £77.10
route AAA Aldershot £77.30
route AAA Farnham £78.70

AAA = Also Available At.

 

[bb21]

No. Current prices for Fleet - London Terminals 7-day season tickets are:AAA = Also Available At.

I see. So you have to specifically ask for the "AAA" option and it is not available by default on the "Any Permitted" ticket.

Funny how I didn't notice it when checking on Avantix earlier.