Route Hull Trains & TPE

[IanXC]

First Hull Trains and First TransPennine Express have joined forces to bring people living on the south bank of the River Humber some great value train fares to and from London.

People can now travel for less from stations across the region into the capital thanks to a new joint ticketing scheme between the two operators. The tickets, which are available from as little as £10 each way, enable travelers from Cleethorpes, Grimsby Town, Habrough, Barnetby and Scunthorpe to buy a through ticket at a cheaper rate to London and back again.

http://www.hulltrains.co.uk/about-us/news/2013/2013/09/south-humber-connections/

These follow on from the "Hull Trains & Northern" launched earlier this year. They seem very keen to continue an apparent run of 8 record breaking months for passenger numbers.

Interestingly they've also added HT&TPE flows for Sheffield and Meadowhall to London, which seem to be pitched at more than the LM&XC fares, and generally similar to the Via Chesterfield EMT fares.

 

[sheff1]

Interestingly they've also added HT&TPE flows for Sheffield and Meadowhall to London, which seem to be pitched at more than the LM&XC fares, and generally similar to the Via Chesterfield EMT fares.

Strange one that. With the limited HT frequency one would expect the fares to be pitched closer to the LM&XC fares.

 

[greatkingrat]

They can't make them much lower otherwise they would undercut the Doncaster-London fares.

 

[sheff1]

Fair enough. I haven't looked at the actual fares. Just wondering who they are hoping to attract away from the EMT route if the fares are basically similar but the frequency is markedly less.

 

[WillPS]

People like me who hate EMT?

 

[Clip]

Fair enough. I haven't looked at the actual fares. Just wondering who they are hoping to attract away from the EMT route if the fares are basically similar but the frequency is markedly less.

For a lot of people, Price is king above and beyond everything else.

And those like the poster above who simply hates EMT for whatever reason.

 

[maniacmartin]

I see the fares in BRFares, but searching random journeys from Scunthorpe or Barnetby to London on random days, I can't find the fare on either of those TOC's web booking engines. The cheapest APs that appear are the 13GBP EC & Connections.

 

[greatkingrat]

I see the fares in BRFares, but searching random journeys from Scunthorpe or Barnetby to London on random days, I can't find the fare on either of those TOC's web booking engines. The cheapest APs that appear are the 13GBP EC & Connections.

The problem is that the Southbound connections between the TP and HT services are poor with waits of about 45 minutes. So the journey planners don't suggest these options and try to route you on East Coast instead.

The tickets do come up going Northbound, eg 0948 from KX, connecting into the 1137 from Doncaster.

 

[maniacmartin]

That's a bit of an oversight. They won't be selling many of these tickets southbound if their own website won't suggest them!

I'd pay the extra quid to cut half an hour off my connection time and travel East Coast though any day!

 

[bb21]

If you click on "show slower routes" then you can select "HULLTRNS & TPE" and the relevant fares will appear.

 

[trentside]

Interestingly, earlier this year Hull Trains and EMT launched some Route 'HULLTRNS & EMT' fares on the Skegness line for travel to London via Grantham. The fares do undercut EC but again, the connection at Grantham has to be considered. These seem to be springing up all over the place!

 

[bb21]

You have to give it to HT for using their initiatives.

 

[ainsworth74]

You have to give it to HT for using their initiatives.

The advantages of hiring your own fares manager rather than getting someone else to do it!

 

[Pumbaa]

Generally First are very good at revenue raising initiatives. TPE have been well commended in the past for their revenue management.

 

[sheff1]

For a lot of people, Price is king above and beyond everything else.

Surely they would go via LM&XC or Megatrain then.

 

[Polarbear]

Just to bump this thread - I'm reliably informed that fares "Route HT & FCC" are due to come on stream in the next week or two.

 

[philjo]

I assume these are for travel via Kings Cross? There are only a couple of HT services calling at Stevenage now - I think both are southbound on Sundays.
Are they intended for use from GN stations (where it would be quicker to use EC & connections at Stevenage or Peterborough) or for use with connections from the Thameslink route?

 

[Polarbear]

My understanding is that HT are to price these fares to certain destinations north of London on the Cambridge route, but that most sales will be to stations on the Brighton line.

The fares will also appear to Bedford / Luton / St Albans & are intended for use via Kings Cross.

 

[Starmill]

This is quite impressive, no? Some fascinating stuff coming out here...

"TPE HT & FCC" anyone?

 

[bb21]

This is quite impressive, no? Some fascinating stuff coming out here...

"TPE HT & FCC" anyone?

"Northrn HT & FCC" is a possibility I think.

 

[greatkingrat]

Well there is already a "HT TP AW GW ONLY" route shown in the fares data, although as yet there don't seem to be any fares actually using it.

 

[DaiGog]

"HT TP AW GW ONLY" was set up for Club 55 last time it was a national campaign, along with several other similar route descriptions. It has not been used since.