Oxford 'not part of Chiltern network'

[bkhtele]

Has the op responded to this query, looks like the ticket may not have been valid without the paper record card according to Chiltern. Clearly Oxford is in the Chiltern Network, but that is may not be the issue?

Going back to the original post - did the op present their paper record card in regards to the oyster card to the staff on the gateline?

This is stated in the terms and conditions of the Chiltern Railways season ticket deal -

"If your Season Ticket is on an Oyster card you must also have your paper record card to travel free at weekends and Bank Holidays. This offer does not apply on Christmas Day and Boxing Day."

https://www.chilternrailways.co.uk/new-customers

As for staff not knowing whats going on, who knows that Chiltern have actually briefed GWR staff on this offer?

 

[MarlowDonkey]

Clearly Oxford is in the Chiltern Network, but that is may not be the issue?

According to the original poster

When I reached Oxford the man at the gateline said that as a GWR station they were not part of the Chiltern network. I was forced to buy a single from Oxford Parkway to Oxford.

So what does the term "Chiltern network" actually mean? Stations "run" by Chiltern or stations where Chiltern trains call? Given that Chiltern trains run to Stratford and Kidderminster, they must run to stations which don't "belong" to Chiltern.

 

[yorkie]

As for staff not knowing whats going on, who knows that Chiltern have actually briefed GWR staff on this offer?

Are you defending the actions taken in this case? If so, wow.

If your job is to work at a gateline, you can't just make things up and deny people entry/exit. If you are unsure, you allow people to pass through (or you ask someone who is knowledgeable... if there is anyone!) until you are sure.

 

[sheff1]

Most passengers travelling do so on simple tickets for which no or little dispute arises.

What could be much simpler than a Day Return from Didcot to Tunbridge Wells ?

Yet simple tickets such as these cause frequent disputes because staff refuse to read a very simple, easy to understand single sentence stating the restriction.

 

[Bletchleyite]

What could be much simpler than a Day Return from Didcot to Tunbridge Wells ?

Yet simple tickets such as these cause frequent disputes because staff refuse to read a very simple, easy to understand single sentence stating the restriction.

If staff have trouble with something even simpler like an Off Peak Single from City Thameslink to Bedford, issued at City Thameslink, I just give up to be honest.

 

[Joe Paxton]

If staff have trouble with something even simpler like an Off Peak Single from City Thameslink to Bedford, issued at City Thameslink, I just give up to be honest.

Did you put in a proper complaint about that to GTR?

 

[Bletchleyite]

Did you put in a proper complaint about that to GTR?

Yes, and they have thus far ignored it.

I expect I'll get a reply in a few months; if they are that bad their complaint queue is probably months long.

 

[bunnahabhain]

Are you defending the actions taken in this case? If so, wow.

If your job is to work at a gateline, you can't just make things up and deny people entry/exit. If you are unsure, you allow people to pass through (or you ask someone who is knowledgeable... if there is anyone!) until you are sure.

Wad the OP carrying his paper counterpart as required under the T&Cs? A condition designed to prevent exactly this incident happening.

 

[yorkie]

Wad the OP carrying his paper counterpart as required under the T&Cs? A condition designed to prevent exactly this incident happening.

Based on what we've been told about the incident, the counterpart wasn't relevant and was either shown or not asked for.

I don't agree that counterparts should even exist (but that's a whole new topic!), but their purpose is to provide evidence of what product is loaded onto the card for the benefit of anyone unable to read the card.

In this case, it appears that the gateline staff denied that the product was valid at Oxford for a spurious reason.

There is no suggestion that they required additional confirmation that the product was actually held by the customer, so this isn't relevant.

The inadequate behaviour described by GWR gateline staff is consistent with some of the behaviour observed at several GWR gatelines previously, including Oxford, by many other members, including myself. This is clearly unacceptable.

 

[bunnahabhain]

The counterpart is relevant and the OP should have shown it without having to be asked for it to avoid this situation. If he doesn't show it how or why would Oxford be expected to know what is loaded onto his Oyster card? I'd be very surprised if there are any readers for them beyond the network boundary.

 

[313103]

Post deleted.

 

[SA_900]

The message you have entered is too short. Please lengthen your message to at least 5 characters.

 

[313103]

I have been ask to quote and link as per rules, so i cannot say anything further and will delete my post. To quote and link would lead straight to another member of staff being named who was partly involved in this situation. But carry on castigating if it makes you feel better.