The Off-Peak Return is a type of train ticket used on National Rail services in Great Britain. The ticket was introduced as the Saver Return by British Rail in 1985,[1] being rebranded to its current name on 7 September 2008.[2]
Variants
The Off-Peak Return is complemented by various sister products, with the full range comprising:
| Ticket Name | Main Features | Previous Names |
|---|---|---|
| Off-Peak Return | Two-way travel returning within one month. | Saver Return; White Saver |
| Super Off-Peak Return | Two-way travel returning within one month. Cheaper but more restricted than Off-Peak Return | Super Saver Return; Blue Saver |
| Off-Peak Day Return | Two-way travel returning the same day. | Cheap Day Return; Awayday |
| Super Off-Peak Day Return | Two-way travel returning the same day. Cheaper but more restricted than Off-Peak Day Return | |
| Off-Peak Single | One-way travel. | Saver Single |
Validity
The outward journey must be made on the date shown on the ticket, and the return journey can be made at any time within one calendar month from this date.[3]
As the name implies, the ticket is generally intended for use outside peak times. Typically train operating companies prevent use of this type of ticket during key commuting hours of weekday mornings and early evening, especially for services beginning or terminating in London, at which times higher fares may be charged.
The times at which an Off-Peak fare is valid are set by the relevant train operator according to various factors, from levels of peak demand on the route in question to revenue maximisation. The specific details are given by referring to the two-digit 'validity code' assigned to the fare. The simplest apply a simple blanket time period to both outward and return journeys; more complex validity codes may apply different restrictions to outward and return journeys, or combine general validity periods with train-specific exemptions or exclusions.
Passengers are entitled to pause and resume their journey at any point and any number of times unless the ticket's validity code specifically prohibits this.
Validity examples
| Validity Code | Time Restrictions | Break of Journey |
|---|---|---|
| 2V | Not valid to depart before 0930 weekdays. | Allowed |
| 8A | Valid any time. | Prohibited |
| EF | Valid after 1830 only. | Allowed |
| SK | Not valid on trains arriving in London before 1000 or departing London before 0845 weekdays. | Allowed return leg only |
| SM | Not valid on trains arriving in London before 1121 weekdays. Return unrestricted. | Allowed |
| TF | Not valid to depart before 0845 weekdays. | Allowed |
| W4 | Not valid to depart before 0844 weekdays, except on 0828 Swindon to Westbury or 0836 Swindon to Cheltenham services. | Allowed |
Misuse
On routes where the chance of there being a ticket inspector is low, commuters have been known to buy one off-peak return in each direction and keep reusing the return portion until either the ticket gets inspected and stamped, or the month expires. The gradual introduction of ticket barriers across stations is removing this misuse as the ticket is retained by the barrier upon completing the journey.[4]
References
- ↑ Hatano, Linda (January 2004). "Complexity versus Choice: UK Rail Fares" (PDF). Japan Railway & Transport Review. No. 37. pp. 26–34. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 August 2017.
- ↑ Association of Train Operating Companies (24 April 2008). "ATOC Announces Simpler Rail Fares" (Press release). Archived from the original on 11 July 2016.
- ↑ "National Rail Enquiries Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak ticket terms and conditions".
- ↑ "Ticket Barriers retaining tickets". RailUK Forums. Retrieved 6 September 2019.