[hstudent]

Can anyone explain how train companies get train fares for passengers who board their trains at stations at which a different train company runs the ticket office?

An example is Stockport station is owned by Virgin Trains, who run the ticket office and two out of the three ticket machines (the other one is run by Northern Rail). If you were to make a journey from Stockport to Sheffield then you can use either a Transpennine Express service or a Central Trains service, with the fare being set by Transpennine Express.

Would then for tickets sold between Stockport and Sheffield, Virgin Trains or Northern Rail get an administration fee and the remaining money be divided between Central Trains and Transpennine Express?

Of course, it’s even more complicated on other routes e.g. Manchester to Preston where 3 companies operate, or more complicated if you change trains.