Off peak day single Manchester-Chester

[Julian W]

I've bought an off peak day single for Manchester-Chester on a Saturday in June (£7.80, 16-25 railcard discount). I see that certain trains throughout the day are classified as peak time, so obviously my ticket would not be valid.

Are all the ATW services off peak at least? Just trying to avoid spending two hours on a Northern 142 for once!

Thanks in advance.

 

[Harlesden]

Peak fares normally apply only to weekdays excluding Bank Holidays

 

[kieron]

If your ticket says "via ALTRINCHAM" on it, then I think you'll have to either be satisfied with an hour and a half on a pacer, or pay £2.55 extra to excess your ticket to an Any Permitted one.

 

[telstarbox]

The OP's ticket at £7.80 is the 'via Altrincham' ticket - http://brfares.com/#fares?orig=0438&dest=CTR&rlc=YNG

 

[Julian W]

Thanks for the advice guys.

This is the fare information (booked the ticket on redspottedhanky):

Journey: 1 Manchester Piccadilly to Chester
Ticket type: Off Peak Day Single Valid on off-peak services by the route and Train Operator shown. Valid for 1 day only.
Route: Via Altrincham
Outward journey: 2 Jun 2013
Suggested service departs Manchester Piccadilly at 11:58 travel by Train service provider Arriva Trains Wales to station Chester arrives 13:00

I would have assumed that 'VIA ALTRINCHAM' meant it's necessary to take the Mid Cheshire line, but surely the fact that RSH suggests the ATW service means that the ticket is at least valid on the 11:58 service?

 

[Oscar]

The ATW service you have been offered is diverted via Altrincham.

 

[Julian W]

I guess they're all diverted that way due to engineering works.

So can I assume my ticket is valid on any service that day?

 

[yorkie]

I guess they're all diverted that way due to engineering works.

So can I assume my ticket is valid on any service that day?

Yes, any train that goes via Altrincham is valid.

Off Peak tickets are unrestricted on Saturdays, Sundays & public holidays, so there are no time restrictions whatsoever.

 

[kieron]

I guess they're all diverted that way due to engineering works.

So can I assume my ticket is valid on any service that day?

Yes. The trains are diverted on Saturday 1st, Sunday 2nd and Sunday 9th June.

You would only need an excess to the Any Permitted ticket if you changed train at Crewe, or if you caught the rail replacement bus for some reason.

 

[Julian W]

OK, thanks very much for your help everyone!

 

[northwichcat]

If your ticket says "via ALTRINCHAM" on it, then I think you'll have to either be satisfied with an hour and a half on a pacer, or pay £2.55 extra to excess your ticket to an Any Permitted one.

There should only be a 2 in 5 chance of getting a Pacer.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Be aware that some diverted ATW services are slower than others (some 1hr 3 others 1 hr 12 which is probably due to the booked freight workings) and some of the slower ones like the 15:47 Manchester-Chester don't show up in journey planners using the default options because a journey option via Crewe would overtake the direct train.