Surcharges for FIP ÖBB coupons

[D1009]

Not sure whether this has been mentioned on here, but ÖBB have imposed a charge of €10 second class and €15 first class on the use of FIP free coupons on RJ, EC, IC, ICE and ICB trains (whatever the latter is). The charge only needs to be paid once for all journeys made in the 48 hr period. At present the supplementary tickets do not have to be bought in advance. This week I travelled on two such trains without knowing about the change until I was requested to pay on the third occasion.

 

[Bletchleyite]

ICB is InterCityBus.

 

[Mag_seven]

Not sure whether this has been mentioned on here, but ÖBB have imposed a charge of €10 second class and €15 first class on the use of FIP free coupons on RJ, EC, IC, ICE and ICB trains (whatever the latter is). The charge only needs to be paid once for all journeys made in the 48 hr period. At present the supplementary tickets do not have to be bought in advance. This week I travelled on two such trains without knowing about the change until I was requested to pay on the third occasion.

Then it ceases to become "free" then doesn't it? I can see FIP going down the pan soon.

 

[87015]

Then it ceases to become "free" then doesn't it? I can see FIP going down the pan soon.

It might not be free, but it's more than reasonable and far better than other possible options. A small price for probably the last proper railway operator that still has an outgoing philosophy in Western Europe...

It's not FIP circling the pan, it's death by Balkanisation of Europe's railways from a big picture point of view that FIP represents.

 

[D1009]

Then it ceases to become "free" then doesn't it? I can see FIP going down the pan soon.

This started years ago. Using FIP facilities you can't get anywhere in parts of France very quickly without paying for a reduced price ticket. I think Austria's got it right. It's still free on other trains.

 

[DaiGog]

I travelled for four days in Austria in February, and was not asked to pay the supplement at all. Therefore definitely worth getting on and seeing what happens!

 

[D1009]

I travelled for four days in Austria in February, and was not asked to pay the supplement at all. Therefore definitely worth getting on and seeing what happens!

The very courteous Guard who charged me last Sunday told me it had only been in place for a couple of months, so I'm sure it will be a while before it is properly enforced. The RDG staff travel website was only updated at the end of February.

 

[DaiGog]

The very courteous Guard who charged me last Sunday told me it had only been in place for a couple of months, so I'm sure it will be a while before it is properly enforced. The RDG staff travel website was only updated at the end of February.

I did have one guard who mentioned it, but let me off, so I suspect you're right in that they will enforce it more strictly over time. Awareness among guards is possibly an issue as well.