In message , at 11:51:31 on Sun, 27 Feb
2011, tim.... remarked:
So, it's entirely possible for TPTB to create tickets for the Fife Circle
which can only be used in one direction, but they would have to be marked
*on the ticket* as (eg) "Not Kirkcaldy".

There's nothing inherently wrong with inventing this restriction, but they
are simply using the wrong instrument to implement it.

What I don't understand is why there is actually a need to ban this.

As long as the existence of this journey doesn't create any BoJ
opportunities, what the hell difference does it make to the operator if
someone wants to sit on a train to Rosyth via Kirkcaldy? How many track
bashing peeps who would take advantage of this, are there?

Do you remember Clive Feather's classic query when the Routing Guide
first came out, about whether it was possible to travel from Finsbury
Park to (I think) London terminals via Cambridge (ie to Liverpool St).

If that that were the case, then a Finsbury Park to London season ticket
could also be used as a Cambridge to London season (because season
tickets are valid over any section of a route where a single is valid).

I haven't looked in detail at the situation in Fife, but perhaps a
similar issue is involved. (Obviously, because of a loop train, rather
than a bug in the RG which was Clive's concern; assume for a moment
there is a Kings Cross to Liverpool St via Cambridge loop train).
--
Roland Perry