TimB wrote:
On Jun 1, 11:54 am, Mizter T wrote:

The formula for the 'via HS1' fares premium is no secret, it's
published in the Southeastern franchise documents. The Ashford
supplement for the preview service is the same as for the full
service and is in line with this formula.

According to the Independent, Southeastern managing director Charles
Horton said: "The fares that we are announcing today are for the
preview service only and we feel they offer value for money for
passengers."
which vaguely implies fares may be higher after the preview period.

They can't be higher than shown relative to today's fares. Add 10p (least
possible change AIUI) to either single 'supplement' and they exceed the
allowed caps, ie 35% for services from Ebbsfleet, and 20% for via Ashford.
Services from the North Kent line via Ebbsfleet (not applicable yet) are
capped at 30%; it's all in the franchise ITT:

"Ebbsfleet/St Pancras: Fares will be based on the Gravesend/London fare,
subject to a maximum premium of 35%;

"Birchington-on-Sea & stations to the west/St Pancras via the North Kent
route: Fares will be based on the standard fare between the station
concerned and London, plus a maximum of 30% of the Gravesend/London fare;
and

"All stations/St Pancras via Ashford: Fares will be based on the standard
fare between the station concerned and London, plus a maximum of 20% of the
Ashford/London fare."

Therefore any other fares they announce, for destinations further away, will
have the same premium dependent on route, and as the conventional leg of the
journey has no premium allowed, the overall change will have to be less as a
percentage of the whole fare.

However if there is a general rise planned for September or January, that
could yet increase the fares & supplements. (See discussions previously
about negative RPI effects.)

That offpeak return supplement from Ebbsfleet of only £3.20 is presumably
not that silly compared with a couple of underground journeys from/to a
South London terminus to St Pancras is it? - for any pax with a destination
in the immediate vicinity.

Paul S