Paddington to Reading with Off-Peak Single: Worried it isn't valid

[Iskra]

Mod Note: Split from this thread.

Okay guys, I've been very loosely following this thread, but don't necessarily understand it as I've never needed to, until now. On a Friday evening in March I've got myself a ticket from London Paddington to Reading. It's an off peak day single and I have an accompanying reservation on the 1805 from Paddington. Can someone please explain if they think I'm going to run into any issues, and if so what I should do. The peak ends at 1800 right? But, if I arrive in London earlier, what trains could I catch before 1800 on this ticket?

 

[jon0844]

The peak ends around 1900 doesn't it?

 

[talldave]

The peak ends around 1900 doesn't it?

The barrier staff make it up, so it'll depend on who's working that day

More seriously though, it'll be the restriction code of the ticket that dictates validity - what is it?

 

[PermitToTravel]

It's not valid on fast trains out of Paddington from 1600 to 1914. The 1805 calls before Reading though (it stops at Twyford) so you'll be alright. Your ticket is one of the ones the staff seem to understand the rules for.

 

[plymothian]

Okay guys, I've been very loosely following this thread, but don't necessarily understand it as I've never needed to, until now. On a Friday evening in March I've got myself a ticket from London Paddington to Reading. It's an off peak day single and I have an accompanying reservation on the 1805 from Paddington. Can someone please explain if they think I'm going to run into any issues, and if so what I should do. The peak ends at 1800 right? But, if I arrive in London earlier, what trains could I catch before 1800 on this ticket?

You have an Off Peak Day Single [CDS] , London Paddington - Reading?
Restriction code J9?

Not valid on the following
departures from London
Paddington (or Reading in
brackets):

1600 (1627) Bristol TM (BRI)
1606__(1633)__Penzance (PNZ)
1615__(1641)__Swansea (SWA)
1630__(1657)__Taunton (TAU)
1636__(1704)__Exeter St D(EXD)
1645__(1711)__Swansea (SWA)
1649__(1720)__Oxford (OXF)
1700__(1726)__Bristol TM (BRI)
1703__(1732)__Penzance (PNZ)
1715 (1741)__Swansea (SWA)
1722 (1750) Hereford (HFD)
1730 (1756) Taunton (TAU)
1733 (1804) Paignton (PGN)
1742 Cheltenham (CNM)
1745__(1811)__Swansea (SWA)
1749 (1822) Worcester (WOS)
1800 (1827) Bristol TM (BRI)
1803 (1830) Penzance (PNZ)
1815 (1841) Swansea (SWA)
1822 (1850) Hereford (HFD)
1830 (1856) Weston SM (WSM)
1835 (1902) Exeter (EXD) FX
1835 (1902) Plymouth(PLY) FO
1845 (1911) Swansea (SWA)
1847 (1918) Cheltenham (CNM)
1850 (1922) Oxford (OXF)
1900 (1927) Bristol TM (BRI)
1903 (1933) Plymouth(PLY)_FX
1903 (1933) Penzance(PNZ) FO
1914 (1941) Swansea (SWA)

The 18.05 is NOT listed as it is a "stopping" train (even though only calls at Twyford), so an Off Peak IS valid on the 18.05. You can travel on any train NOT listed.

 

[Iskra]

You have an Off Peak Day Single [CDS] , London Paddington - Reading?
Restriction code J9?



The 18.05 is NOT listed as it is a "stopping" train (even though only calls at Twyford), so an Off Peak IS valid on the 18.05. You can travel on any train NOT listed.

Thank you all for your help; below is my ticket for the avoidance of doubt:

I think I'll just travel on my booked service as it gives me a better chance of a seat. I'm also quite happy with it now I've seen it's a HST If I get to Paddington very early I'll just buy a 1st ticket to Acton Main Line and sit in the lounge before my train.

Also does U1 mean my ticket works on the Underground from Kings Cross, I thought it would but there's no Maltese cross?

 

[James Wake]

Thank you all for your help; below is my ticket for the avoidance of doubt:

I think I'll just travel on my booked service as it gives me a better chance of a seat. I'm also quite happy with it now I've seen it's a HST If I get to Paddington very early I'll just buy a 1st ticket to Acton Main Line and sit in the lounge before my train.

Also does U1 mean my ticket works on the Underground from Kings Cross, I thought it would but there's no Maltese cross?

Yes it should do as far as I'm aware, not sure why there is no Maltese Cross.

 

[LexyBoy]

You'll have no problem with this at all - staff (and more importantly the departure screens) will not say "Off Peak tickets are not valid". The problem bnm and others have is where the Off Peak tickets don't have afternoon restrictions from Paddington (common for tickets via London) - but staff incorrectly apply restrictions as if the ticket was from London.

It doesn't have the maltese cross because it's valid to/from an underground station - the maltese cross denotes validity between appropriate London stations via Underground as part of a route between rail stations. You can use your ticket from *any* Zone 1 Underground station.

 

[MarlowDonkey]

Yes it should do as far as I'm aware, not sure why there is no Maltese Cross.

You can buy tickets to and from London U1. That will take you to any Underground station in the centre which includes almost all the other stations classified as London Terminals.


It's cheaper than buying a Travelcard. The alternative is to use Oyster or Contactless for the Underground part. If you are travelling on a promotional advance, such as the current VTEC offer, there's usually little choice but to split in London.

As far as validity at Paddington is concerned, the restricted trains are mostly or exclusively those non-stop to Reading. The local trains are unrestricted but slow in comparison. Trains stopping at one or all of Slough, Maidenhead and Twyford are next fastest.

 

[LexyBoy]

Most or all of the trains which stop only at Slough before Reading are barred too (the Oxford fasts).

 

[FenMan]

The fast (ish) peak services from Paddington to Reading where that ticket is valid:-

17:06 - 31 mins
17:18 - 35 mins
17:36 - 36 mins
18:05 - 30 mins
18:18 - 38 mins
19:18 - 38 mins
Any later train.

 

[MarlowDonkey]

It's an off peak day single and I have an accompanying reservation on the 1805 from Paddington.

As others have explained, it's not a service where there is a restriction. But, even if it was, you have a reservation. That said, there was a reported incident where someone with a reservation was attempting to board with a valid off peak ticket and the gateline only relented, when shown the reservation.

 

[Wallsendmag]

Yes it should do as far as I'm aware, not sure why there is no Maltese Cross.

Think there isn't a Maltese cross as it isn't a through cross London ticket just a ticket from zone u1

 

[Hadders]

For information there's no need to purchase this ticket so far in advance of travel as it's exactly the same price if you purchase on the day. This is useful if your plans change.

 

[Iskra]

Thank you to everyone who has contributed. Most helpful!

For information there's no need to purchase this ticket so far in advance of travel as it's exactly the same price if you purchase on the day. This is useful if your plans change.

Yeah, I know. It spreads the cost though and I'd much prefer to set off knowing I have all the tickets I need for the journey in case anything goes wrong. I've got hotels and a railtour booked for the weekend, so even if the railtour were to be cancelled, I'd still travel but do something else down there instead.