Virgin have increased the multiplier on 1st class season tickets

[furryfeet]

looks like that it has gone up from 1.57 to 1.64

another increase by stealth !

Any other examples of sneakyness by the TOC's in the January fare increases ?

 

[Ticket Man]

sorry to side track guys just a heads up, please be aware that vigin has changed its buy on board policy, you can no longer buy off peak tickets on the train. the same rule applies to the ticket barriers at euston, the rpo's are only allowed to sell anytime fares.

 

[yorkie]

sorry to side track guys just a heads up, please be aware that vigin has changed its buy on board policy, you can no longer buy off peak tickets on the train. the same rule applies to the ticket barriers at euston, the rpo's are only allowed to sell anytime fares.

I wasn't aware that Virgin ever offered discounted fares on board? (Except where required to do so under the NCoC).

 

[Ticket Man]

I wasn't aware that Virgin ever offered discounted fares on board? (Except where required to do so under the NCoC).

well there was a bit of cofussion amongst the tm's a few months ago about what the official line was on buying on board and many of them chose to sell the cheapest fare, well thats all over now and the rule applies at the barrier too.

 

[yorkie]

I find that difficult to believe. So it's gone from Virgin changing their policy (a policy that I've never heard of) to TMs being confused? So it wasn't their policy in fact? I've never heard of discounted tickets being offered on Virgin when there was ample opportunity to buy at the station.

 

[Ticket Man]

hey yorkie steady on fella it was just a friendly heads up, i work at eus mate so i see what goes on there. if you wanna get ****y with the details come and have a quite chat with me.

 

[87015]

I find that difficult to believe. So it's gone from Virgin changing their policy (a policy that I've never heard of) to TMs being confused? So it wasn't their policy in fact? I've never heard of discounted tickets being offered on Virgin when there was ample opportunity to buy at the station.

I heard they were happy to sell these new Virgin-only CDRs on the train, in the West Midlands at least. But it secondhand gen (from staff mind) as its a long time since I was on a Euston-Brum.....

 

[yorkie]

I'm not saying I don't believe you, I just find it difficult to believe, and misunderstandings can occur. Sorry if I sounded unfriendly. Next time I plan to be at Euston I'll ask via PM if you're around then and if you are I'll certainly have a chat

I do wonder if someone has got the wrong end of the stick somewhere along the line (metaphorically and literally ).

 

[Ticket Man]

im not kidding you though fella, at one point it was pretty much accepted by most tms and revenue staff running out of euston, late comers for trains could and would reguarly hop on board services reguardless of destination and be able to buy off-peak fares with railcard discount if they made them selves known to the TM, everyone was a winner, less assaults on staff and it was a more customer friendly approach. definatly a thing of the past though.
Not looking forward to telling my first customer that the 21:00 eus-manc is gonna cost them £131

 

[garnon]

looks like that it has gone up from 1.57 to 1.64

another increase by stealth !

Any other examples of sneakyness by the TOC's in the January fare increases ?

So Virgin have

a) increased their first class multiplier
b) restricted off peak validity, and
c) banned the sale of discounted tickets on board trains

Can anyone else add to the list of 'stealth' increases implemented by this TOC. Is Virgin alone in its approach - or is it merely 'catching up'.

I seem to recall they offer a dispensation to railcard holders - who can travel on a wider range of trains with an off peak ticket. Has this also been axed ??

 

[jon0844]

I got an email from Virgin Atlantic today saying that I can now earn Virgin Atlantic miles from Virgin Train journeys (when booked via the VT website).

With all the price hikes, I guess it will soon be possible to turn a Euston-Birmingham FC journey into an Upper Class trip to Japan!

http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/g...roup/virgintrains.jsp?WT.mc_id=uk_insider0110

 

[mathmo]

I don't intend to defend Virgin but:

a) increased their first class multiplier

I don't know any more about this than is on this thread but FC is a premium product and no-one is forced to use it over standard...

b) restricted off peak validity

Other TOCs have certainly done this too, including FGW, XC and (NX)EC, if my memory is correct.

c) banned the sale of discounted tickets on board trains

This is expected under the National Conditions of Carriage - the only surprise is that it's been so long coming. Almost if not all VT stations are staffed so you should be buying a ticket before you get on the train!

 

[Ticket Man]

I seem to recall they offer a dispensation to railcard holders - who can travel on a wider range of trains with an off peak ticket. Has this also been axed ??

Thats good for now, railcard holders can still use off peak tickets during peak time.

 

[northwichcat]

Isn't there scrolling text on the little LED screens next to the doors saying that off peak and railcard discounted tickets cannot be purchased on board?