Why are Bristol to Cardiff tickets routed "via Newport"?

[jayah]

As long as Newport is a timing point on the passing service then it’s not an issue.

How many customers know the timing points of the services they are using?

This isn't exactly simplification?

 

[yorkie]

How many customers know the timing points of the services they are using?

This isn't exactly simplification?

The DfT, Rail Delivery Group and train companies all have a different view of what is deemed "simple" compared to the average person.

 

[sheff1]

Already exists on LNER with the Via Peterborough routing.

Quite and no doubt some passengers travelling from London to Newcastle etc will think they are not allowed to take a train which does not stop at Peterborough.

The DfT, Rail Delivery Group and train companies all have a different view of what is deemed "simple" compared to the average person.

Agreed.
Tickets from South Yorkshire to/via Greater Manchester routed 'via Stockport' have long been valid on trains not passing through Stockport.
Some trains run non stop from Piccadilly to Sheffield via Stockport and others non stop via Huddersfield - there is no way an average person would know which was which. In my experience guards are happy to accept 'via Stockport' tickets on the latter but, of course, that cannot always be guaranteed.

 

[yorkie]

Some people who think the concept of allowing any permitted/reasonable route is complicated are very keen for routes to become even more prescriptive; I'll try to remember to show them this thread, next time someone suggests it

One person's "simple" is another person's "complicated" and the sort of people who try to make the rules at DfT/RDG are the sort who probably mostly travel by car, rather than train, so can't be trusted to look at it from a passenger perspective.

 

[XAM2175]

One person's "simple" is another person's "complicated" and the sort of people who try to make the rules at DfT/RDG are the sort who probably mostly travel by car, rather than train, so can't be trusted to look at it from a passenger perspective.

Not that the sort of people who post here are a representative sample of passengers either

 

[Alex365Dash]

How many customers know the timing points of the services they are using?

This isn't exactly simplification?

It’s how it’s implemented in journey planners.

Of course, for a customer to fulfil the requirement of going through a via point on their routed ticket, they just have to be on a train that passes through - timing points don’t go into it.

However, a computer isn’t going to know if a train passes Newport to fulfil the requirements of a ticket routed “via Newport” if the train is not actually timed to pass Newport in the timetable.

This is the sort of stuff customers don’t need to worry about but the rail industry does instead, until someone starts running train services using the York avoider line whilst trying to accept via York tickets at the same time.

 

[yorkie]

This is the sort of stuff customers don’t need to worry about but the rail industry does instead, until someone starts running train services using the York avoider line whilst trying to accept via York tickets at the same time.

Already happened; a fix for that had to be implemented for Lumo

 

[Alex365Dash]

Already happened; a fix for that had to be implemented for Lumo

Sorry if it wasn’t clear, I was trying to reference that exact incident!

 

[jayah]

It’s how it’s implemented in journey planners.

Of course, for a customer to fulfil the requirement of going through a via point on their routed ticket, they just have to be on a train that passes through - timing points don’t go into it.

However, a computer isn’t going to know if a train passes Newport to fulfil the requirements of a ticket routed “via Newport” if the train is not actually timed to pass Newport in the timetable.

This is the sort of stuff customers don’t need to worry about but the rail industry does instead, until someone starts running train services using the York avoider line whilst trying to accept via York tickets at the same time.

Most customers don't know what stations their train is calling at, let alone passing through.

The country seems in consensus that railway fares and ticketing should be made simpler, not even more complicated.

As has been pointed out, there are already lots of pointless routings e.g. Via Peterborough that use passing points not calling points.

 

[Furryanimal]

I noted yesterday that my Cwmbran to Cardiff ticket said 'only valid via Newport'.
I found myself wondering about the alternative routes!

 

[Mcr Warrior]

I noted yesterday that my Cwmbran to Cardiff ticket said 'only valid via Newport'.
I found myself wondering about the alternative routes!

Magical mystery tour via Hereford, Craven Arms, Llandovery and Llanelli?

 

[AdamWW]

I noted yesterday that my Cwmbran to Cardiff ticket said 'only valid via Newport'.
I found myself wondering about the alternative routes!

Well yes - that's essentially how this thread started.