Bikes on trains, and paying for tickets?

[PaulSecteur]

Hi,

I dont often travel by public transport so please dont make too much fun of me!

I want to go to the "Follow the dog" trail near Cannock, I will be starting my rail portion of the journey at Bloxwich, there isnt a ticket office there, and are no ticket machines.

The nearest station to "Follow the dog" is Hednesford, there isnt a ticket office there, and are no ticket machines.

So, if I decide to go on a spur of the moment decision I will be travelling without a ticket, and cant pay once im there either and the same for the return. Does this mean I can buy from the conductor on the train? And how will he know Im not fare dodging?

Also, checking the websites for a bike policy it seems to read "You are allowed to take a bike on the train, except for when you arent"

What are the general rules of thumb when traveling with a bike on trains?

Cheers, Paul.

 

[iacula]

Hi

If platform tickets are available on the platform, you need to buy one of those. If not you can buy a travel ticket on the train from the conductor, but I would seek him out rather than let him find you just to be on the safe side.

They are usually pretty liberal about getting a bike on a train, but I should phne the train company just to be on the safe side.

 

[vernon]

Hi

If platform tickets are available on the platform, you need to buy one of those. If not you can buy a travel ticket on the train from the conductor, but I would seek him out rather than let him find you just to be on the safe side.

They are usually pretty liberal about getting a bike on a train, but I should phne the train company just to be on the safe side.

Platform tickets? Do they still exist? No one will know at an unmanned halt.

If you get on at an unmanned halt you can not be accused of fare dodging. Equally if the conductor/ticket inspector does not get to you before you disembark at an unmanned halt you can not be accused of fare dodging.

Some companies are very liberal e.g. Northern Rail and the conductors/inspectors are normally very helpful.

Some companies are totally draconian in their rules and implementaion of them.

Look up the train operating company on the Internet and search the site for their cycle policy - employees sometimes do not have a clue.

 

[domd1979]

Hi,

I dont often travel by public transport so please dont make too much fun of me!

I want to go to the "Follow the dog" trail near Cannock, I will be starting my rail portion of the journey at Bloxwich, there isnt a ticket office there, and are no ticket machines.

The nearest station to "Follow the dog" is Hednesford, there isnt a ticket office there, and are no ticket machines.

So, if I decide to go on a spur of the moment decision I will be travelling without a ticket, and cant pay once im there either and the same for the return. Does this mean I can buy from the conductor on the train? And how will he know Im not fare dodging?

Also, checking the websites for a bike policy it seems to read "You are allowed to take a bike on the train, except for when you arent"

What are the general rules of thumb when traveling with a bike on trains?

Cheers, Paul.

It'll just be a matter of jumping on the train and buying a ticket from the conductor who should come down the train to flog you a ticket. At the moment penalty fares don't apply on the Chase Line (i.e. you aren't required to have a ticket before boarding at either Bloxwich or Hednesford). For info, they are due to be introduced though at some point in the future but for some reason their introduction has been delayed - all this will mean is buying a "permit to travel" from a machine on the station, the cost of which gets discounted off your ticket when you buy it from the conductor (there's no minimum value for a permit to travel, you can just shove in 5p).

There aren't any time restrictions on bikes on the Chase Line and I suspect the trains you'll be travelling on won't be busy anyway.

 

[philipbh]

Assuming Bloxwich Station (BLX) to Hednesford (HNF) - a journey of 15 minutes should cost you £2.90 for an off peak day return.

If you know well in advance when you are going you could buy the ticket on-line* and get it sent to you (obv. the honest thing to do)

*Assuming you have internet access of course and are happy to use your CC for online purchasing - I know some people are cautious about this