Roland Perry wrote:

In message , at 18:11:38
on Fri, 13 Jul 2012, Jim
remarked:
When buying rail tickets on line via whatever websites, is it
possible to specify 'Boundary Zone 6' as your start-point? I've
never thought it possible as I've never seen that as an option. Or
does one just specify a station in zone 6 to start from?

I think the logic is that it is not a BZ to/from wherever 'ticket'.
It is a BZ 'extension fare' used in conjunction with a ticket that you
already have in your possession.

An online site cannot determine if you already hold a suitable ticket
to be extended...

Why does that matter? They don't have the same problem selling any
other kind of half-a-split-ticket (or are they institutionally in
denial that split tickets are valid).

I have always bought online tickets from websites using the last station
in Z6 according to my journey, assuming the TOC allows it.

Never had a problem with Harold Wood, Elstree & Borehamwood, or
Upminster and fares have tallied with the Boundary Zone 6 fares.

If you can get a ticket from the last-station-in-Z6 that's as good as a
BZ6 ticket (if the train stops there). But might be more expensive.

For example a BZ6-Hinchley Wood is £2.50, which is the same as from
Surbiton. But I'm not sure that's always been the case.


Note that the BZ6 ticket can cost more than the one from the last staion
in zone 6. I suppose because it is valid on trains that do not stop
there.

e.g. Ewell East to Epsom cheap day return is £2.70 and BZ6-Epsom is 2.80


--
Mark