National Routeing Guide update

[kieron]

Some changes to the routeing guide were published on Wednesday.

Changes from 07 Feb 2024 (485) to 14 Feb 2024 (486).

Easement changes:

Removed:

701169 (Fare route) Due to engineering blockades on 11, 18 and 25 February 2024, customers travelling with tickets priced on (00096) NOT VIA CARDIFF, travelling on rail replacement services, from to or via Pye Corner, may get connecting trains from Cardiff Central, This fare route easement applies in both directions.​

A stop in Newport has been added to the bus timetable, so this was no longer useful.

Added:

701178 (Circuitous Route) Customers from Watton at Stone travelling with a Travelcard are not permitted to travel via Stevenage. This circuitous route easement applies in both directions.​

It can be quicker to travel between Watton at Stone and London via Stevenage rather than Hertford. This easement stops travelcards from being used that way. Another way to do this would be to change the route on the ticket to "not via Stevenage".

701179 (Fare route) On the 10th and between 12 and 18 February, when the route between Reading and Guildford is closed. Customers travelling with tickets priced on (00615) VIA GOMSHALL will be valid for travel via Guildford on Rail Replacement buses between Reading and Gatwick Airport. This fare route easement applies in both directions.​

There are no trains between Reading, Wokingham and Guildford at the moment. This easement lets you use "via Gomshall" tickets on the bus between Guildford and Gatwick. The text is ambiguous (is "between Reading and Gatwick Airport" a description of the bus or the journey?), but the data only affects journeys which go from or to Gatwick and from, to or via Reading.

701180 (Routeing Point) During engineering works between the 24 and 27 March 2024, tickets from Evesham, Pershore and Worcestershire Parkway, for journeys to or via London, will be valid via Cheltenham Spa and Swindon. This routeing point easement to apply in both directions.​

There are no trains between Charlbury and Worcester Shrub Hill on the above dates. As before, the data doesn't mention London.

This easement is intended to make Cheltenham a valid routeing point for some journeys from those stations. I don't think it does anything for Evesham or Pershore, however, as the Cheltenham routeing point isn't associated with them. nre.co.uk does show journeys from Worcestershire Parkway to Didcot via Stroud, but not ones via Bristol Parkway.

Map changes:

XB gains links between Gatwick Airport and Guildford.​

This link (which doesn't appear in the copy of the map on data.atoc.org) may be to do with a rail replacement bus, although I didn't think the maps were checked for bus journeys. There's no rail route between Gatwick and Guildford which doesn't pass through at least one other routeing point, so you can't follow this link on a train. The map is used for Gatwick-Reading journeys amongst others.

In addition, the data for easement 701173 has been changed slightly. It no longer requires journeys to be via Stroud, but instead adds it to the locations via which it allows journeys. The text remains:

701173 (Fare route) During engineering works between the 24 and 27 March 2024, tickets from Hereford, Ledbury, Colwall, Great Malvern, Malvern Link, Worcester Foregate Street, Worcester Shrub Hill, Worcestershire Parkway, priced on (00799) LONDON EVESHAM, (00433) AP EVESHAM and (00805) VIA EVESHAM, for journeys to or via London, will be valid via Stroud and Swindon. This fare route easement to apply in both directions.​

 

[JB_B]

Map changes:

​

XB gains links between Gatwick Airport and Guildford.​

This link (which doesn't appear in the copy of the map on data.atoc.org)

This sort of thing ( adding/removing map links in the data without updating the public-facing maps ) seems to happening more frequently. For many years the public maps and the map data matched perfectly. Does anyone know why this has started happening?

 

[kieron]

Some changes were published in the routeing guide yesterday.

Changes from 14 Feb 2024 (486) to 21 Feb 2024 (487).​

​

Easement changes:​

​

Added:​

​

701181 (Map) During engineering divisions until 23 February 2024, customers travelling ton TPE services from or via Leeds to Liverpool, may travel via Wakefield. This map easement applies in both directions​

The line between Mirfield and Leeds is closed, and TPE trains which go through Huddersfield and Leeds are are diverted via Wakefield and Normanton. To permit this route, this easement adds Huddersfield Group, Wakefield Group and Leeds to any mapped route which can make use of them.

701182 (Local) Due to disruption of services at Baildon,. Until 18 March 2024, customers travelling from Bradford Forster Square, Frizinghall and Shipley to Guiseley, Menston, Ben Rhydding, Burley in Wharfedale and Ilkley may travel via Kirkstall Forge. This local easement applies in both directions​

​

701183 (Local) Due to disruption of services at Baildon. Until 18 March 2024, customers travelling from Apperley Bridge to Guiseley, Burley in Wharefdale, Menston, Ben Rhydding and Ilkley may travel via Kirkstall Forge. this local easement applies in both directions.​

The line through Baildon is closed, These easements let someone travel via Kirkstall Forge on a journey between stations on the Ilkley branch and stations between Apperley Bridge and Bradford Forster Square inclusive. It doesn't affect tickets to (say) Skipton, perhaps because those only stop in Kirkstall Forge in the evening.

701184 (Routeing Point) Customers travelling from Chesterfield to Fleet on tickets priced on (00486) AP EMR & CONNECT may travel via Woking. This routing point easement applies in both directions.​

This easement allows some Chesterfield-Fleet tickets to be used via Woking. From what I can tell, this was already permitted.

Station link changes:​

​

Guiseley (GSY) to Kirkstall Forge (KLF) now has a distance of 6.01.​

Guiseley (GSY) to Leeds (LDS) no longer has a distance of 10.14.​

This adds Kirkstall Forge as an intermediate station between Guiseley and Leeds in the data web sites use to calculate shortest routes. The total Guiseley-Leeds distance is unchanged. Before this change, the shortest route in the data between Guiseley and Kirkstall Forge had been 7.75 miles via Shipley.

---

The following post was made on 27th February 2024.

---

Some more changes to the routeing guide were published yesterday.

Changes from 21 Feb 2024 (487) to 26 Feb 2024 (488).​

​

Easement changes:​

​

Removed:​

​

701084 (Map) Customers travelling to Edinburgh and beyond, whose normal route is via Newcastle and Berwick upon Tweed, may travel via Carlisle during engineering works on 21 June 2023. The weekends of 16th - 17th, 23rd - 24th, and 30th September 2023. And the 1st, 7th - 8th October 2023. This map easement applies in both directions​

​

701145 (Fare route) During engineering works on the 06 and 07; 13 and 14 January, and the 10 and 11 February 2024, when Rail replacement services will be in operation. Tickets priced on route (00430) LNER & CONNECTIONS will be valid via Grantham, Corby and Wellingborough but not Leicester. This fare route easement applies in both directions​

​

701146 (Fare route) Passengers travelling in either direction between Leeds or Newcastle and London with tickets on route 00076 (Via Peterborough) on 06 and 07; 13 and 14 January 2024 and the 10 and 11 February 2024 may travel via Grantham and Corby.​

​

701151 (Fare route) During engineering work closures on 04 February 2024, customers travelling on tickets routed (00803) EVESHAM/STROUD, (00807) VIA STROUD, (00808 RDG STRD INC LDN, (00827) LONDN STRD/EVSHM. May travel via Bristol Parkway. This fare route easement applies in both directions.​

​

701152 (Routeing Point) During engineering works between 20 and 28 January 2024, customers from Nailsea and Backwell, Yatton, Worle and Weston Milton travelling to or via Reading may travel via Taunton. This routeing point easement applies in both directions.​

​

701153 (Fare route) During engineering works on 06. 07, 13, 14, 21 January 2024 and 11 February 2024, journeys routed (00635) VIA WOKING will be valid for travel via Guildford. This fare route easement applies in both directions.​

​

701157 (Map) During service diversions on 17 February 2024, customers traveling from Brighton to destinations via central London may travel via Littlehampton and Horsham. this map easement applies in both directions.​

​

701159 (Fare route) During engineering works on the weekends of the 11-12 and 17-18 February 2024, tickets priced on (00618) VIA SALISBURY, will be valid for travel via Reading, Basingstoke and Southampton. This fare route easement applies in both directions​

​

701160 (Fare route) On the 10th and between the 12 and 18 February, the route between Reading and Guildford is closed. On these days, customers travelling with tickets priced on (00615) VIA GOMSHALL will be valid for travel via Basingstoke. This fare route easement applies in both directions.​

​

701161 (Fare route) On the 10th and between 12 and 18 February, when the route between Reading and Guildford is closed. Customers travelling with tickets priced on (00615) VIA GOMSHALL will be valid for travel via East Croydon, Clapham Junction and Basingstoke. This fare route easement applies in both directions.​

​

701162 (Fare route) During engineering work closure of the line south of High Wycombe all day on the 03, 04 and 11 February 2024, and until 12:00 on 18 February 2024. Customers with tickets priced on (00305) VIA HIGH WYCOMBE, (00402) AP HIGH WYCOMBE, (00362) VIA HWT & SHR, (00363) VIA HWY & BIRM and (00432) AP HWYC & SHR, will be valid on travel via Aylesbury, for rail replacement services from Aylesbury Parkway to Bicester North and Bicester Village for onward rail connections. These easement to apply in both directions​

​

701164 (Map) On the 10th February 2024, and between 12 and18 February 2024, when the route between Reading and Guildford is closed. Customers travelling with tickets priced on (00615) VIA GOMSHALL will be valid for travel via Basingstoke and Redhill. And via East Croydon, Clapham Junction and Basingstoke. This map easement applies in both directions.​

​

701168 (Fare route) On the 7th, 8th, 12th, 18th of February there will be no rail service nor rail replacement between Barking and Upminster. Tickets priced on (00118) VIA UPMINSTER, will be valid for journeys via Barking.​

​

701177 (Map) On 17 and 18 February, when trains from and beyond Clapham Junction to and via Guildford are routed via Virginia Water, this map easement will create temporary permissions via Barnes and Virginia Water. It will operate in both directions.​

​

701179 (Fare route) On the 10th and between 12 and 18 February, when the route between Reading and Guildford is closed. Customers travelling with tickets priced on (00615) VIA GOMSHALL will be valid for travel via Guildford on Rail Replacement buses between Reading and Gatwick Airport. This fare route easement applies in both directions.​

These were all temporary easements for dates which have passed.

Added:​

​

701185 (Map) Due to a landslide at Newington (Kent), that will close the line until 04 March 2024. Customers from Faversham, Whitstable and Chesterfield & Swalecliffe may travel via Canterbury and Dover and via Ashford International to London. This map easement will apply in both directions​

There are no trains through Newington at present. The details for this easement add Faversham, both Canterbury stations, Dover and Ashford to any mapped route from one of those three stations.

This should let someone with (say) a Tonbridge-Faversham ticket travel via Canterbury, although, when I tried it, nre.co.uk only showed it as being valid in the opposite direction.

701186 (Routeing Point) Due to a landslide at Newington (Kent),that will close the line to 04 March 2024. Customers Whitstable, Chesterfield & Swalecliffe, Herne Bay, Birchington and Westgate-on- Sea may travel via Ramsgate. This routing point easement applies in both directions.​

This makes Ramsgate Group a valid routeing point for stations between Faversham and Margate exclusive. Easement 700525 already allows tickets from further east to be used via Margate and Canterbury.

701187 (Fare route) During engineering works on 23, 29 - 31 March, 1, 6, 7 April 2024, journeys routed, (00735), VIA STAINES will be valid for travel via Chertsey and Weybridge. This fare route easement applies in both directions.​

There are no trains through Egham or Feltham on the above dates (which include the Easter weekend), and SWR's Reading-London trains are diverted via Chertsey, Weybridge and Wimbledon. This easement lets you, for instance, use a "via Staines" Reading-London ticket on one of them.

Map changes:​

​

XB: Lose Gatwick Airport to/from Guildford.​

This removes a link which was added in connection with one of the above easements, but was only added to the copy of the map in the data. I don't know what effect it had.

In addition to the above, Darlaston (DAS), Kings Heath (KIH), Moseley Village (MOV), Pineapple Road (PIR) and Willenhall (WIA) (all in the West Midlands conurbation) have been added to one of the files needed to find routes for tickets.

 

[kieron]

Some more changes were made to the routeing guide on Friday.

Changes from 26 Feb 2024 (488) to 01 Mar 2024 (489).

Added:

701188 (Routeing Point) Customers from Pewsey travelling on tickets priced on (00000) ANY PERMITTED to destinations across London via London Paddington may travel via Reading. This routeing point easement applies in both directions.​

This makes Reading (and not Reading West) a valid routeing point for Pewsey for journeys via London Paddington. nre.co.uk doesn't show Pewsey-Brighton (for example) as being valid with an "any permitted" ticket even with the easement.

701189 (Routeing Point) Customers from Elephant & Castle travelling to Blackwater cross London via London Waterloo, on tickets priced on (00000) ANY PERMITTED may travel via London Blackfriars. This routeing point easement applies in both directions​

This makes London Group a valid routeing point for Elephant & Castle under some specific circumstances. It's not a route I know how to find on most retail sites, so I don't know if this easement helps.

A few easements have been amended, primarily to add extra dates.

Changed (added sections in red, removed ones in green):

701165 (Fare route) During engineering works between the 24 and 27 March 2024, and the 22 to 26 April 2024 tickets from Hereford, Ledbury, Colwall, Great Malvern, Malvern Link, Worcester Foregate Street, Worcester Shrub Hill, Worcestershire Parkway, Pershore and Evesham priced on (00799) LONDON EVESHAM, (00803) EVESHAM/STROUD, (00805) VIA EVESHAM, (00827) LONDON STRD/EVSHAM for journeys to or via London, will be valid via Birmingham New Street for journeys via Watford Junction. Or valid via Birmingham Moor Street for journeys via High Wycombe. Fares priced on (00799) and (00805) will also be valid via Bristol Parkway and Swindon. This fare route easement applies in both directions​

As well as the extra dates, the data for this easement now fixes a mistake which stopped it from allowing tickets from the above stations to be used via Bristol. Journeys to those stations were already allowed that way.

701166 (Local) During engineering works between 24 to 27 March 2024 and 22 to 26 April 2024tickets tickets from Worcestershire Parkway, Pershore and Evesham priced on (00000) ANY PERMITTED, (00799) LONDON EVESHAM and (00805) VIA EVESHAM for journeys to or via London, will be valid via Birmingham New Street for journeys via Watford Junction. Or valid via Birmingham Moor Street for journeys via High Wycombe. Or Cheltenham Spa for journeys via Swindon. This local easement applies in both directions​

As well as the extra dates, this now enforces the "via High Wycombe" restriction for journeys from the above stations.

701167 (Map) During engineering between 24 and 27 March and 22 to 26 April 2024, customers travelling to or via London from Hereford, Ledbury, Colwall, Great Malvern, Malvern Link, Worcester Foregate Street, Worcester Shrub Hill, Worcestershire Parkway, Pershore Evesham, on tickets priced on (00799) LONDON EVESHAM, (00803 EVESHAM/STROUD, (00805) VIA EVESHAM and (00827) LONDON STRD/EVSHAM . May travel via Birmingham and either High Wycombe or Watford Junction. This map easement applies in both directions.

701170 (Map) During engineering works between the 24 and 27 March and 22 to 26 April 2024, tickets from Worcestershire Parkway, Pershore and Evesham priced on (00000) ANY PERMITTED, (00799) LONDON EVESHAM, (00805) VIA EVESHAM and (00433) AP EVESHAM for journeys to or via London, will be valid via Yate, Cam & Dursley and Bristol Parkway for journeys via Swindon. This map easement applies in both directions

701173 (Fare route) During engineering works between the 24 and 27 March and 22 to 26 April 2024, tickets from Hereford, Ledbury, Colwall, Great Malvern, Malvern Link, Worcester Foregate Street, Worcester Shrub Hill, Worcestershire Parkway, priced on (00799) LONDON EVESHAM, (00433) AP EVESHAM and (00805) VIA EVESHAM, for journeys to or via London, will be valid via Stroud and Swindon. This fare route easement to apply in both directions.

701180 (Routeing Point) During engineering works between the 24 and 27 and 22 to 26 April March 2024, tickets from Evesham, Pershore and Worcestershire Parkway, for journeys to or via London, will be valid via Cheltenham Spa and Swindon. This routeing point easement to apply in both directions.

701181 (Map) During engineering divisions until 23 February 2024, , and between 22 and 26 April 2024; 29 April to 03 May 2024; 06 to 10 May 2024; 13 to 17 May 2024 customers travelling ton TPE services from or via Leeds to Liverpool, may travel via Wakefield. This map easement applies in both directions​

These just add extra dates.

In addition, a few route codes have been made more restrictive.

LNER & CONNECTNS (00430) (6534 records)
must not go via Bury St.Edmunds (BSE), Thetford (TTF) or Wellingborough (WEL)
must not use Grand Central (GC) or Hull Trains (HT)
may only use LNER (GR)​

This route code is used for many of LNER's advance tickets, such as the Barnsley-London ones they price. Many of them cannot now be sold.

AP EMR & CONNECT (00486) (5932 records)
must not go via Crewe (CRE) or Huntingdon (HUN)
must not use Grand Central (GC)
may only use EMR (EM)​

This route code is used for many of EMR's advance tickets, also including Barnsley-London ones. Again, these cannot be sold now.

TFW RS ONLY (00272) (14 records)
may only use TfW Rail (AW), Island Line (IL), Lumo (LD) or Elizabeth Line (XR)​

This is just tidying up, as TfW doesn't normally call at any of the stations the other operators use.

 

[JonathanH]

In addition, a few route codes have been made more restrictive.

LNER & CONNECTNS (00430) (6534 records)
must not go via Bury St.Edmunds (BSE), Thetford (TTF) or Wellingborough (WEL)
must not use Grand Central (GC) or Hull Trains (HT)
may only use LNER (GR)This route code is used for many of LNER's advance tickets, such as the Barnsley-London ones they price. Many of them cannot now be sold.

AP EMR & CONNECT (00486) (5932 records)
must not go via Crewe (CRE) or Huntingdon (HUN)
must not use Grand Central (GC)
may only use EMR (EM)This route code is used for many of EMR's advance tickets, also including Barnsley-London ones. Again, these cannot be sold now.

These two now force rebooking for journeys which use LNER or EMR then where passengers wish to use advance tickets, or for passengers to have to use walk up tickets. Is that really what is intended? Are LNER and EMR going to communicate that to passengers?

Where has that decision come from?

 

[CyrusWuff]

These two now force rebooking for journeys which use LNER or EMR then where passengers wish to use advance tickets, or for passengers to have to use walk up tickets. Is that really what is intended? Are LNER and EMR going to communicate that to passengers?

Where has that decision come from?

I suspect cock up rather than conspiracy, and it's been done without thinking about the implications.

 

[Haywain]

I suspect cock up rather than conspiracy, and it's been done without thinking about the implications.

I agree, it looks like it should be "must use LNER/EMR" rather than "only use".

 

[JB_B]

These two now force rebooking for journeys which use LNER or EMR then where passengers wish to use advance tickets, or for passengers to have to use walk up tickets. Is that really what is intended? Are LNER and EMR going to communicate that to passengers?

Where has that decision come from?

It's probably just a mistake - whoever amended the data misunderstood the quantification rule for this type of record in the routeing guide data. Similar errors have occurred before. Some of the posts from industry insiders about an earlier case up-thread suggest that they didn't understand it either. It's a little counter-intuitive and is certainly poorly documented.

These errors are usually corrected fairly swiftly so someone must know what's going on but it's surprising that the industry doesn't learn.

 

[alistairlees]

Let's hope it is corrected shortly as it's resulted in a significant price rise for people making journeys that involve a local service (such as Northern) conecting with LNER. Though, of course, a split ticketing opportunity too...

 

[infobleep]

Let's hope it is corrected shortly as it's resulted in a significant price rise for people making journeys that involve a local service (such as Northern) conecting with LNER. Though, of course, a split ticketing opportunity too...

If there is a postivie to this, it is good for split ticketing revenue share.

 

[sheff1]

When heading to Darlington and beyond I quite often specify via Doncaster to force a change onto LNER rather than taking Cross Country. Sometimes go to London that way as well.
It appears LNER no longer want my custom unless I use split ticketing - another 'simplification' from their in house Humpty Dumpty I assume.

 

[kieron]

It's probably just a mistake - whoever amended the data misunderstood the quantification rule for this type of record in the routeing guide data. Similar errors have occurred before. Some of the posts from industry insiders about an earlier case up-thread suggest that they didn't understand it either. It's a little counter-intuitive and is certainly poorly documented.

These errors are usually corrected fairly swiftly so someone must know what's going on but it's surprising that the industry doesn't learn.

Route restrictions are particularly awkward as some of the data is in the routeing guide data and some in the fare data, and some things (like "X & Connections" restrictions) are based on the ticket code rather than the route code. It's not hard to check what has happened by testing a few things, though. I do sometimes wonder why this can't be done before it reaches the live system.

The changes to the LNER and EMR were reversed this afternoon, anyway. I wouldn't expect this to show up in retail systems until tomorrow, though.

 

[erk]

It's not hard to check what has happened by testing a few things, though. I do sometimes wonder why this can't be done before it reaches the live system.

They don't need to check. They can just publish the changes and wait for Kieron to point out the errors. He should be on the payroll.

 

[kieron]

Some more changes were published in the routeing guide yesterday.

Changes from 04 Mar 2024 (490) to 08 Mar 2024 (491).

Easement changes:

Removed:

701185 (Map) Due to a landslide at Newington (Kent), that will close the line until 04 March 2024. Customers from Faversham, Whitstable and Chesterfield & Swalecliffe may travel via Canterbury and Dover and via Ashford International to London. This map easement will apply in both directions

701186 (Routeing Point) Due to a landslide at Newington (Kent),that will close the line to 04 March 2024. Customers Whitstable, Chesterfield & Swalecliffe, Herne Bay, Birchington and Westgate-on- Sea may travel via Ramsgate. This routing point easement applies in both directions.​

The line has reopened now, and the dates these easements covered has passed.

Changed (added sections in red, removed ones in green):

701181 (Map) During engineering divisions until 23 February 2024, and between 22 and 26 April 2024; 29 April to 03 May 2024; 06 to 10 May 2024; 13 to 17 May 2024, customers travelling ton on TPE services from or via Leeds to Liverpool, may travel via Wakefield. This map easement applies in both directions​

This just fixes a typo.

701182 (Local) Due to disruption of services at Baildon,. Until 18 March 17 April 2024, customers travelling from Bradford Forster Square, Frizinghall and Shipley to Guiseley, Menston, Ben Rhydding, Burley in Wharfedale and Ilkley may travel via Kirkstall Forge. This local easement applies in both directions​

The line hasn't reopened, so the end date has been extended.

Looking at it again, though, I don't think this easement actually works. On nre.co.uk, Bradford Forster Square-Guiseley is shown as valid with the diversion, but Frizinghall-Guiseley is only shown as valid using the replacement bus. I think the reason may be that the data only validates journeys from, to or via Bradford Forster Square. It doesn't help if you select "via Bradford" because, I think, you would need more than this easement to permit the double back that entails.

701183 (Local) Due to disruption of services at Baildon. Until 18 March 17 April 2024, customers travelling from Apperley Bridge to Guiseley, Burley in Wharefdale, Menston, Ben Rhydding and Ilkley may travel via Kirkstall Forge. this local easement applies in both directions.​

The end date has also been extended for this easement. It doesn't actually work all the way to the end date as trains to Ilkley don't normally stop in Kirkstall Forge, and the timetable has only been amended until 23rd March. With the normal timetable, the choice is between a change in Shipley or in Leeds, and the tickets all have a "not via Leeds" route code.

In addition to the above, a couple of Lumo & XC route codes have been created. The idea seems to be to permit travel to some of the ECML stations Lumo don't serve.

 

[kieron]

Some changes were published in the routeing guide yesterday.

Changes from 08 Mar 2024 (491) to 04 Apr 2024 (492).

Easement changes:

Added:

701190 (Map) During to engineering works on 06 April 2024, SWT trains will be diverted via Southampton. This map easement will create temporary permissions between Basingstoke and Salisbury via Winchester, Southampton Central and Romsey,. It will apply in both directions.​

There are no trains due through Grateley on Saturday, with buses between Andover and Salisbury. There are no through trains between Basingstoke and Salisbury, but some have been diverted to start and terminate in Southampton Central.

This easement lets you travel via Southampton or Chandler's Ford with (say) a Basingstoke-Salisbury ticket by adding Basingstoke, Eastleigh, Southampton Group and Salisbury to any mapped route which can make use of them.

701191 (Map) During the closure of the Severn Tunnel from 03 to 18 July 2024, tickets to South Wales will only be valid on Great Western services diverted via Gloucester, Severn Tunnel Junction and Newport (South Wales). This map easement applies in both directions​

This is looking more than 12 weeks ahead, and I can't see any more information about what is due to happen than the above. The data adds Bristol Group, Cheltenham, Gloucester and Newport to any mapped route which can benefit from them, but only for people who use a GWR train for the purpose.

Changed (added sections in red, removed ones in green):

701182 (Local) Due to disruption of services at Baildon,. Until 17 30 April 2024, customers travelling from Bradford Forster Square, Frizinghall and Shipley to Guiseley, Menston, Ben Rhydding, Burley in Wharfedale and Ilkley may travel via Kirkstall Forge. This local easement applies in both directions

701183 (Local) Due to disruption of services at Baildon. Until 17 30 April 2024, customers travelling from Apperley Bridge to Guiseley, Burley in Wharefdale, Menston, Ben Rhydding and Ilkley may travel via Kirkstall Forge. this local easement applies in both directions.​

The dates have been extended to 30th April for these. The data for 701182 also now permits travel via Kirkstall Forge, Frizinghall and Shipley rather than just Bradford Forster Square. nre.co.uk still doesn't show a Frizinghall-Ilkley journey as being valid without using the buses, but I don't know enough about how Local easements are interpreted to say why.

In addition to the above, another route code has been added for tickets using GC & TPE.

 

[MrJeeves]

There are no trains due through Grateley on Saturday, with buses between Andover and Salisbury. There are no through trains between Basingstoke and Salisbury, but some have been diverted to start and terminate in Southampton Central.

This easement lets you travel via Southampton or Chandler's Ford with (say) a Basingstoke-Salisbury ticket by adding Basingstoke, Eastleigh, Southampton Group and Salisbury to any mapped route which can make use of them.

I believe most of these are inexplicably compulsory reservations, with no availability, so noone can even buy them from online journey planners anyway!

 

[embers25]

I believe most of these are inexplicably compulsory reservations, with no availability, so noone can even buy them from online journey planners anyway!

True but, without this easement, no tickets are valid without using the replacement bus between Salisbury and Andover. I assume SWR missed this issue until raised on here and are panicking their replacement buses would be swamped.

Also funny that the easement says SWT not SWR!

 

[kieron]

I believe most of these are inexplicably compulsory reservations, with no availability, so noone can even buy them from online journey planners anyway!

I didn't notice that; the Exeter-Southampton trains all appear to have compulsory reservations, but I had no trouble getting itineraries for them when I tried earlier, and the Southern Railway site offers them now.

The easement only helps tomorrow (or rather, today), I assume because there are through trains on Sunday, meaning that there were already some valid itineraries which avoided the buses. It's not great if your journey is something like Guildford-Salisbury, but you can't have everything.

 

[Adam Williams]

I had no trouble getting itineraries for them when I tried earlier, and the Southern Railway site offers them now

It's getting a counted place reservation for the leg behind the scenes. Not that it seems to tell the customer this anywhere prior to purchase.

Presumably once the train has "run out" of "places" we'll be back to square one. There appeared to be 151 places (left) on the service I looked at.

 

[kieron]

Some changes were published in the routeing guide on Wednesday.

Changes from 04 Apr 2024 (492) to 10 Apr 2024 (493).

Easement changes:

Removed:

701136 (Map) During engineering works, on 05th and 12th November 2023. The 20th, 21st, 27th and 28th January 2024, the 04th and 11th February 2024 and between 16th to 24th March 2024. Trans Pennine Express services that normally travel from Sheffield to Manchester via Chinley will be diverted to run via Huddersfield. This map easement will create temporary map permissions for Trans Pennine Express services from Sheffield. It will operate in both directions.

701137 (Doubleback) During engineering works, on 05th and 12th November 2023. The 20th, 21st, 27th and 28th January 2024, the 04th and 11th February 2024 and between 16th to 24th March 2024. Trans Pennine Express services that normally travel from Sheffield to Manchester via Chinley will be diverted to run via Marsden (Yorks). This doubleback easement will allow connecting services to interchange at Sheffield with the diverted Trans Pennine Express services, and travel twice through Swinton and Meadowhall. It will operate in both directions.

701171 (Fare route) On Sundays 31 March and 07 April 2024 when the line between Westbury and Castle Cary is closed. Customers with tickets priced on (00063) VIA NEWBURY and (00494) AP NEWBURY will, be valid on journeys via Swindon. This fare route easement to apply in both directions.

701172 (Fare route) On Sundays 31 March and 07 April 2024 when the line between Westbury and Castle Cary is closed. Customers travelling from Pewsey, Bedwyn, Hungerford, Kintbury, Newbury, Newbury Race Course, Thatcham, Midgham, Aldermaston, and Theale with tickets priced on ((00810) NOT VIA READING, will be valid for travel via Reading. This fare route easement to apply in both directions.

701174 (Map) Due to engineering closures south of Milton Keynes from 29 March 2024 to 01 April 2024. This map easement will allow journey planners to show itineraries using rail replacement services from Milton Keynes and onward train journeys from Bedford to London St Pancras International. It will apply in both directions.

701175 (Fare route) During engineering closures south of Milton Keynes from 29 March 2024 to 01 April 2024. This fare route easement will allow tickets priced on (00403) AP CARLISLE and (00452) AWC & CONNECTIONS to be valid on services via Bedford. It will apply in both directions.

701176 (Fare route) During engineering closures south of Milton Keynes from 29 March 2024 to 01 April 2024 This fare route easement will permit tickets priced on (00043) AVANTI TRAINS ONLY, (00060) AVANTI & TPE ONLY, (00117) AVANTI & NTH ONLY, to use replacement services to Bedford and onward by East Midlands and Thameslink trains. It will apply in both directions.

701187 (Fare route) During engineering works on 23, 29 - 31 March, 1, 6, 7 April 2024, journeys routed, (00735), VIA STAINES will be valid for travel via Chertsey and Weybridge. This fare route easement applies in both directions.

701190 (Map) During to engineering works on 06 April 2024, SWT trains will be diverted via Southampton. This map easement will create temporary permissions between Basingstoke and Salisbury via Winchester, Southampton Central and Romsey,. It will apply in both directions.​

These were all temporary easements for which the dates have now passed.

Added:

701192 (Fare route) During engineering work between the 13 to 18 April 2024, 29 April to 02 May 2024 and the 27 May to 30 May 2024, mean that the route Barking to Pitsea via Laindon is closed. Tickets priced on (00118) VIA UPMINSTER will be valid for journeys via Barking. This fare route easement applies in both directions.​

There are varius changes to C2C services then. Other than this next weekend, these seem to only affect late evening services. The data appears to permit journeys with "via Upminster" tickets to be made specifically via Pitsea and Barking.

At the moment, though, nre.co.uk (as well as some retailers I checked) doesn't show a West Ham-Basildon journey as being valid via Pitsea on Saturday, using the replacement bus from there. As one of the new easements had an error in it, I wonder if that caused the update to be rejected last night. A corrected data file was uploaded today, so it should be working tomorrow if this is what happened.

701193 (Map) On the 13 April, 04 to 05 May, 11 to 12 May and 02 June 2024,, when the route between Reading and Guildford is closed. Customers travelling with tickets priced on (00615) VIA GOMSHALL will be valid for travel via Basingstoke and Redhill. And via East Croydon, Clapham Junction and Basingstoke. This map easement applies in both directions.​

There are various line closures on the Reading-Redhill line, starting with one between Guildford and Shalford on Saturday. The data adds the routeing points for South Croydon-Clapham Junction-Basingstoke-Reading to "via Gomshall" tickets. There are some journeys where this could be useful, but it's not going to be a fast route for (say) a Reigate-Reading journey.

701194 (Fare route) On the 13 April, 04 to 05 May, 11 to 12 May and 02 June 2024, when the route between Reading and Guildford is closed. Customers travelling with tickets priced on (00615) VIA GOMSHALL will be valid for travel via Basingstoke and Redhill. And via Staines and Clapham Junction, but not on 04 May 2024. This fare route easement applies in both directions.​

This is a "fare route" version of easement 701193, and the data permits travel via Basingstoke, Redhill and Staines.

701195 (Circuitous Route) During the closure of the Severn Tunnel from 03 to 18 July 2024, tickets priced on (00824) VIA NEWPORT to South Wales will only be valid on Great Western services diverted via Gloucester, Severn Tunnel Junction and Newport (South Wales). This circuitous route easement applies in both directions​

Easement 701191 lets people use GWR on a diversion. This stops (or is intended to stop) you using TfW or Crosscountry if you are going via Newport, Bristol Parkway and Gloucester. The diverted trains don't go via Bristol, but you should still be able to use different GWR trains to make a journey like that.

701196 (Map) During engineering closure of the Severn Tunnel on 19 May 2024 to 14.25 on each day. This map easement will create temporary map permissions from Bristol to Newport via Gloucester. It will apply in both directions.​

This adds the routeing points for Bristol Group, Cheltenham, Gloucester and Newport to any mapped route which can use them on the above date.

701197 (Local) The Severn Tunnel will be closed on 19 May 2024, until 14.25. Customers from Severn Tunnel Junction, Caldicot, Chepstow and Lydney travelling to Cam & Dursley, Yate, Bristol Parkway , Filton Abbeywood, Lawrence Hill, Stapleton Road and Bristol Temple Meads, or to destinations via Bristol Parkway may travel on trains via Gloucester to avoid using the rail replacement bus service. This Local easement applies in both directions.​

This lets people travel via Gloucester on the way between Bristol and various nearby stations.

701198 (Fare route) Customer travelling on the 07:00 departure from Perth to Edinburgh may travel to destinations priced on route (00237) VIA KIRKCALDY.​

The 0700 on weekdays goes via Dunfermline rather than Kirkcaldy on its way through Fife, so this lets someone with (say) a Perth-Dunfermline City ticket catch a direct train. This isn't the only train which does this (there is one a day in each direction, from what I can see), but this easement only affects this one.

The easement specifies the train by UID, so it's likely to remain effective if the train was temporarily retimed or diverted. It does mean the easement will need to be checked every so often to avoid it becoming like easement 600080 (which once let you go via Darlington, but no longer mentions any trains which go anywhere near there).

Changed (added sections in red, removed ones in green):
701182 (Local) Due to disruption of services at Baildon,. Until 30 April June 2024, customers travelling from Bradford Forster Square, Frizinghall and Shipley to Guiseley, Menston, Ben Rhydding, Burley in Wharfedale and Ilkley may travel via Kirkstall Forge. This local easement applies in both directions

701183 (Local) Due to disruption of services at Baildon. Until 30 April June 2024, customers travelling from Apperley Bridge to Guiseley, Burley in Wharefdale, Menston, Ben Rhydding and Ilkley may travel via Kirkstall Forge. this local easement applies in both directions.​

The period covered by these easements has been extended again, now to the end of June.

 

[infobleep]

701193 (Map) On the 13 April, 04 to 05 May, 11 to 12 May and 02 June 2024,, when the route between Reading and Guildford is closed. Customers travelling with tickets priced on (00615) VIA GOMSHALL will be valid for travel via Basingstoke and Redhill. And via East Croydon, Clapham Junction and Basingstoke. This map easement applies in both directions.​

There are various line closures on the Reading-Redhill line, starting with one between Guildford and Shalford on Saturday. The data adds the routeing points for South Croydon-Clapham Junction-Basingstoke-Reading to "via Gomshall" tickets. There are some journeys where this could be useful, but it's not going to be a fast route for (say) a Reigate-Reading journey.

701194 (Fare route) On the 13 April, 04 to 05 May, 11 to 12 May and 02 June 2024, when the route between Reading and Guildford is closed. Customers travelling with tickets priced on (00615) VIA GOMSHALL will be valid for travel via Basingstoke and Redhill. And via Staines and Clapham Junction, but not on 04 May 2024. This fare route easement applies in both directions.​

This is a "fare route" version of easement 701193, and the data permits travel via Basingstoke, Redhill and Staines.

Interesting that they have chosen to do this as on recent weekends or Sundays I dont think they bothered, unless there was a previous easement I'd forgotten about.

If there wasn't, what makes the following weekends more special or is it simply that they didn't have enough resources to implement such changes for the recent weekends? The weekends I can think of are Sunday 31 March and Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 April.