The National Routeing Guide is a document, the definitive resource on the validity (and invalidity) of rail tickets for the purpose of rail travel in England, Wales, and Scotland (that is, the UK except Northern Ireland). As stated by the Rail Regulator, " sets out passengers' rights to use the network flexibly ". It is a book produced by the ATOC, which should always be carried by any rail ticket inspector. It is also always on hand to staff at manned stations.
It is one of a number of technical railway manuals which exist as part of the operating of the rail network of Great Britain, many of which are now in the public domain.
Customers generally encounter the document in specific circumstances, when they wish to prove (or check) the validity of their ticket on a route which might at first not appear obvious. Since most rail travellers make 'simple' journeys, many will never encounter it. However, when making more complex journeys, it is important to stay "on route". The guide defines what this means. Individual tickets may restrict holders to a subset of the acceptable routes, usually by requiring them to travel through a particular station.
Read more about National Routeing Guide: Format, Issues of Value To The Traveller, Permitted Routes, Criticism and Confusion
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