The Anonymous Widower

The Train Ticket Nightmare

Yesterday I needed to go to Bury St. Edmunds from London for an appointment at 11:00.  I booked on the Internet and the National Express East Anglia web site, sold me an Off-Peak Single with a Senior Railcard leaving at 08:10 for £23.50.  For some reason, when I picked up my ticket, I asked an inspector and he said I couldn’t use the ticket, as Senior Railcards aren’t valid until 09:30.  So I purchased an upgrade for £18.40, as I wanted to avoid the fine he promised me.

I got to Bury on time after a good journey and particularly liked the new Class 379 train from London to Cambridge.

New Trains from Liverpool Street to Cambridge

The inspector though on the Cambridge to Bury train had told me that I had been overcharged £4.00 at Tottenham Hale.

So something is wrong.  Either the web site gave me the wrong information and sold me a ticket I wasn’t entitled to or the National Express East Anglia rule book given to their inspectors doesn’t reflect the web site.

When I got home, I investigated buying the same ticket for today.  It would have cost me £23.50.

I should say, that if they can get the pricing right, I will travel to Cambridge this way, as the trains may take longer than those from King’s Cross, but they are much more comfortable and have even have wi-fi.  Although, I couldn’t use it yesterday, as I didn’t have my computer with me.

July 28, 2011 - Posted by AnonW | Transport/Travel | Bury St. Edmunds, Trains