Uncollected tickets - where does revenue go?

[tsman]

Bought some advance tickets the other day which I didn't end up using/collecting which got me thinking...

If you buy TOD tickets from an online retailer, but don't end up collecting them, does the TOC still get the fare, does retailer keep it or does it depend on ticket type? Does the retailer still have to pay a TOD fee even if tickets aren't collected?

 

[alistairlees]

There’s a sweep up system called AUSSI (I think!) that, a set number of days after the last date of validity, issues them (not physically - virtually). This means the settlement process then happens and the TOCs get their money and the retailer their commission.

Can’t remember what the fees are for this.

 

[A Challenge]

Can’t remember what the fees are for this.

Surely the TOCs shouldn't get any money for unretailed tickets, as they aren't doing anything?

 

[Joe Paxton]

Surely the TOCs shouldn't get any money for unretailed tickets, as they aren't doing anything?

The tickets have been retailed (sold), the person who bought them just didn't take any action to pick them up. Similar to booking into a hotel or buying a theatre ticket and then not showing up.

Likewise, TOCs gets the money from a ticket bought at a ticket office or TVM regardless of whether the ticket actually gets used for travel.

 

[pdeaves]

The tickets have been retailed (sold), the person who bought them just didn't take any action to pick them up. Similar to booking into a hotel or buying a theatre ticket and then not showing up.

Likewise, TOCs gets the money from a ticket bought at a ticket office or TVM regardless of whether the ticket actually gets used for travel.

I think A Challenge might have meant the proportion of revenue received through the ticket being printed at a TOC's machine (or not, as in this case). As you rightly say, the travel element will still be shared out the same; the printing element may not as it will be impossible to decide which TOC should get it.

 

[sprunt]

If it's an Any Permitted ticket where there is a choice of TOCs, does it just go into ORCATS to be allocated as normal?

 

[alistairlees]

If it's an Any Permitted ticket where there is a choice of TOCs, does it just go into ORCATS to be allocated as normal?

Yes, once it has been settled, as I described above.

 

[[.n]]

Bought some advance tickets the other day which I didn't end up using/collecting which got me thinking...

If you buy TOD tickets from an online retailer, but don't end up collecting them, does the TOC still get the fare, does retailer keep it or does it depend on ticket type? Does the retailer still have to pay a TOD fee even if tickets aren't collected?

Have a look on the Southern web site (it may not apply to advance fares, or possibly a fee applies, I don't recall), but certainly for other types of ticket that aren't collected you can obtain a fee-free refund, so its worth using their website for future purchases

 

[[.n]]

More details here https://www.southernrailway.com/tickets/buy-tickets/money-back-guarantee

 

[Joe Paxton]

Have a look on the Southern web site (it may not apply to advance fares, or possibly a fee applies, I don't recall), but certainly for other types of ticket that aren't collected you can obtain a fee-free refund, so its worth using their website for future purchases

It does not apply to Advance tickets whatsoever. (Originally it did, though only to Southern's own Advance tickets).

This 'Money Back Guarantee' is nowadays offered by all of the GTR brands' websites - so Thameslink, Great Northern and Gatwick Express as well as Southern.