London Banter - View Single Post

Paul Scott · December 6th 08, 12:58 PM posted to uk.transport.london

wrote:
On 5 Dec, 16:09, "Paul Scott" wrote:

SWT only introduced SOPs for journeys from outside the London fare
zones, to stations on line of route towards and including London
Terminals (Waterloo effectively). I think you'll get knocked back -
you'll find they won't sell you an SOP anywhere else on the WLL,
they don't come up for Olympia or Willesden Junction either. I
suspect it's basically because the leg beyond CJ up the WLL is
someone elses to price, eg LO, and they don't do SOPs. [Or in the
convoluted manner of the modern railway it could even be SN, LM or
Virgin!]

But according to the NRE website, the WLL doesn't do OP returns
either, the only price given is an Anytime ticket at £1.50 single or
£3.00 return.

As I suggested above, fares between stations on the WLL are probably priced
by LO, like the NLL, and Euston - Watford, and don't offer the full range of
National Rail fares, but only TfL zonal fares.

So why can I get an OP return from Fleet but not an SOP
return?

Because the OP is a ticket type available for NR to LO journeys generally,
but the SOP isn't. I suggest it's because SWT only sell SOPs for point to
point fares within their own network, starting outside the zonal area,
towards London Terminals, and for associated travelcards. I believe you
won't find an SOP for any fare starting within the zonal area, or for any
through fare to a destination beyond London, or via the WLL. I have tested
this from Fleet for Kenny O, Willesden Jn, Watford Jn, Milton Keynes,
Bedford, Stevenage, Shenfield and Dartford - there are no SOPs showing.

I can obviously buy a ticket where Fleet-CJn is priced as an
OP return and CJn-SB as Anytime, but not a combined SOP/Anytime
ticket.

Seems to be so, but I'm pointing out that the new station at Shepherds Bush
isn't a special case, it is consistent with existing SOP availability.

What you have to do is find out if there is anything unfair or illogical
going on somewhere, in which case it might be worth asking SWT. See if SOPs
are available to any Southern or Southeastern destinations? For example, a
Fleet to Battersea Park is available, but it is on 'line of route' to an
appropriate London Terminal, which the WLL isn't.

Paul S