Ross wrote:

> What we should have done back in BR days was gone totally ATB
> ticketing (as per SNCB), with the time restrictions printed on the
> ticket in plain English:
> "On your outward journey, you cannot use this ticket to travel to
> London before 10:00"
> "On your return journey, you cannot use this ticket to leave London
> between 15:30 and 18:30"
>
> But it's too late for that now.

Something like that could be printed on a separate bit of card now.
But the problem is that it isn't always as simple as you have above -
the full set of restrictions are somewhat more complicated in most
cases.

The solution is probably to simplify them[1] *and* to provide a
printout.

[1] There has been a progressive process of simplifying (removing)
permitted routes as well.  Once upon a time, I'm pretty sure Preston-
Euston allowed a diversion via Liverpool, and Manchester-Euston
allowed one via the Chiltern Line.  Neither are allowed any more -
it's basically just WCML and MML, and if you're coming from Preston
not even the latter.

Neil