The usefulness of the Network Railcard

The Network Railcard gives discounts on off-peak travel in London and the South East and is available for journeys south on the three TOCs from Banbury ( +Chiltern Railways ), Northampton * ( +London Midland ) and Milton Keynes (Virgin Trains).

I have blogged before on its usefulness, especially in relation to Chiltern (using it for a split fare on the Banbury-London leg after 10am allows for a return journey between 4pm and 7pm at a saving on the £50 through fare). Yesterday's journey to Cambridge was a good example of why Birmingham passengers should obtain one.

Going to Cambridge from Birmingham is possible 'directly' using CrossCountry's Class 170 service via Leicester and Peterborough but, of course, being CrossCountry, the journey is slow and expensive when you look at the fare being charged: £54.40 for the hourly 2hr 45min journey.

The alternative is via London. Using the Network Railcard and Chiltern:

Off-peak: first train Birmingham Snow Hill 0912 to reach Cambridge at 1231 (via King's Cross). Cost: £13 Chiltern only anytime day return to Banbury, then £32.75 off-peak Banbury-Cambridge. The 09.55 departure from Moor Street would get to Cambridge at 13.01 (again via King's Cross).

Thus for a total fare of £45.75 you get free wifi for at least the Chiltern portion of the journey (plus table and power point), and, as occurred yesterday, the opportunity to take in a meeting in London too.

BEWARE you may have difficulty buying a walk-on ticket at Birmingham Snow Hill for the Banbury onwards leg. Yesterday I was told by the ticket office staff - who I usually find very helpful - that they did not have a code for the Network Railcard discount. In fact, @londonmidland assure me that there is one so it may be a case of persisting. Otherwise, the Chiltern train manager can sell you one on the train.

* Actually, Long Buckby marks the Network Railcard boundary