When fbb plans a "Royal Progress", the aim is to make the best use possible of the convoluted fares system that bedogs any sort of journey planning. Likewise the attempts by the industry to hide their timetables and force innocent users to accept decisions made by technology gurus need to be overcome.
The trip that started this morning was provoked by a varied "shopping list".
1. Visit Sheffield to explore and reminisce (fbb and Mrs)
2. Visit some old chums (mainly Mrs)
3. Try to publicise GoTimetable Sheffield
4. Have a bit of a break from hectic normality
5. Meet up with chum David at Groby, Leicester
6. Visit Ruth (in Knowle), a stalwart of the fbb's Sheffield bible group
7. Visit brother-not-in-law-any-more in Sutton Coldfield
8. Keep the stress level as low as possible!
Do it all by public transport but (on the trains) with flexible rather than special offer tickets to allow for short-notice changes of plan.
Tall order!
The big problem is that "Off Peak" (used to be "Saver") tickets do NOT allow overnight breaks of journey on the outward leg; but DO allow return any time up to one month from outward journey with as many breaks of journey as you may like.
So - go straight to Sheffield and do the other visits on the way back. Seemples
Axmnster to Exeter St Davids
Exeter St Davids via Birmingham ...
... and on to Sheffield.
A simple journey.
The return will cover Knowle (from Birmingham Moor Street) and Sutton Coldfield (from Birmingham New Street.
But, help! Leicester is not on the direct route.
But maybe ...
A quick e-mail to the only person in the Western Arm of the Galaxy who understands rail fares; and back comes Bazza with the answer.
"You are in luck. The Routeing Guide allows travel between Sheffield and Birmingham via Leicester."
So off to Axminster to buy a couple of "Off Peaks" to Sheffield with old fogeys card discount. £96.65 each.
fbb decided not to investigate the curious Maths alternatives and stick with the £96.65.
But, as ever, the very nice man in Axminster Station ticket office refused to sell fbb two of those.
He sold him FIVE of these ...
... TWICE (that's 10) and 10 for the return, a total of 20 little pieces of cardboard for the two fbbs.
Let's do the math!
Axminster to Bristol 20.45
Bristol to Cheltenham 12.80
Cheltenham to Birmingham 17.75
Birmingham to Derby 12.30
Derby to Sheffield 14.90
Total Off Peak return 78.20
A saving of £36.90 on the two returns.
But there was a last minute panic. Would the route via Leicester still apply if the journey were priced in bits? "Yes, averred the ticket clerk, there a green tick." Where or why a green tick matters is outwith fbb's knowledge, but it seemed to satisfy the man of the moment.
So we can now put together the whole schedule. But that would be too much fun in one blog, surely. We will take our excited readers as far as Sunday evening.
Saturday
0903 Axminster
0944 Exeter St Davids
1024 Exeter St Davids
1418 Sheffield
First Bus service 120 to ...
BandB overnight
The gaff is on Fulwood Road, near Nether Green ...
... with bus stop right outside and looks posh - but is not expensive.
Sunday
First Bus 120 to and from Fulwood Church ...
... and back into the city centre after conclusion of 1100 service.
The fbbs attended Fulwood for the duration of their 30 years residence in Sheffield, so there may be a few old crocks to greet and remember!
Sheffield Interchange 1410 T M Travel 273
Castleton 1510
The 273 is a magnificent ride via Manchester Road and glorious moorland, Derwent Dams and Bamford.
Time at Castleton for tea and a bun?
Castleton 1632 1710 First 272
Castleton 1632 1710 First 272
Sheffield Interchange 1731 1827
The 272 is also a pleasant ride with panoramas of the city from Fox House onwards. Castleton claims to have a bus station, bus yard more like ...
... but at least you have no problem finding your next bus.
Back to Nether Green on the 120 ... and so to bed, probably sooner rather than later.
Back to Nether Green on the 120 ... and so to bed, probably sooner rather than later.
In tomorrow's blog we have some assorted bits up on which to catch!
Next Weekend collection : Sunday 15th September
On a Sunday you'll be letting half the 120s go if it has to be First - the full route is run alternately by both operators, or so it says in the leaflet I picked up earlier this week...
ReplyDeleteTwo points
ReplyDeleteCan you go via Leicester? Fbb could check that himself on the journey planner by selecting in the options section "travel via" and "Leicester" and see what happens. Yes you get the same fare. I did download the routing guide a while ago; I guess you still can and it is not simple, but fascinating.
I also understand that LNER are soon to start an experiment with a new fare structure.
You can go via Leicester but most EMR guards will challenge that, as will barrier staff at Leicester. Even though it is valid. So good luck!
ReplyDelete