Differences in WebTIS implementations

[Dewedin]

So as far as I'm aware, the following operators use the (superior) WebTIS booking system:

East Coast, London Midland, Southern, Southeastern, Chiltern, Red Spotted Hanky (non-TOC agent)

While trying to make a fairly complex booking there were a few differences I noticed between these sites.

LM, SE, CH are the only ones that recognise Stratford International (SFA). The others goof up if you choose a journey routed through it.

SO is missing Super Off-Peak Travelcard fares into London.

EC & LM refuse to allow tickets incorporating a 1 day Off Peak Travelcard to be collected from a TVM.

The operators charge different delivery fees, and Red Spotted Hanky are the new Trainline with a £1 booking fee.

They differ in the number of journeys that can be stored in a basket. I needed four return journeys and Chiltern was the only one that would let me store that many. I wanted it all in one booking to make collecting from a TVM simpler. So I booked it through them.

On a side note, I discovered a SVR from Victoria (Zone U1* Londn) to Chelmsford is valid via HS1 between St Pancras and Stratford Int, happy days my first ride on a 395 beckons

 

[wibble]

The operators charge different delivery fees, and Red Spotted Hanky are the new Trainline with a £1 booking fee.

Redspottedhanky.com is ATOS Origin's main public site (like trainline.com) and they white label their site for East Coast and the GoAhead group of TOCs.

 

[radamfi]

Also, East Coast has a £5 minimum charge, unlike Southern (at least).

 

[OwlMan]

LM is missing Super Off-Peak Travelcard fares into London.

LM does show Super Off-Peak Travelcards when they are available.
From where and on what date could you not find one?.

Peter

 

[Dewedin]

Oops, that would be Southern missing the Super Off Peaks!

LM has the same problem as East Coast, it won't allow Off Peak Day Travelcard tickets to be collected from a TVM, baffling.

However, LM has the full list of Zone U* fares available. All the rest only have Zone U1* to Zone U1256 fares.

 

[wibble]

Also, East Coast has a £5 minimum charge, unlike Southern (at least).

On a £5.00 ticket, East Coast will get 45p (9%) in commission. I reckon that the WebTIS will want 4-5% of the ticket cost for handling the transaction. If the ticket is collected by ToD, East Coast will end up making a loss on the transaction.

 

[paul1609]

Oops, that would be Southern missing the Super Off Peaks!

LM has the same problem as East Coast, it won't allow Off Peak Day Travelcard tickets to be collected from a TVM, baffling.

However, LM has the full list of Zone U* fares available. All the rest only have Zone U1* to Zone U1256 fares.

Not sure what you mean Southern show other operators super off peak travelcards.
Southerns own super off peak tickets are to London Victoria only (or London Bridge from the Uckfield Line) there is no travelcard version, I believe this is to do with peak evening loadings on the Victoria to East Croydon section.

 

[Dewedin]

Southern is missing the Super Off Peaks

 

[tony_mac]

Dear CompactDstrxion,
I am sorry that these tickets are no longer available for the itinerary that you require.
Please be aware that some special-offer tickets are only available for limited periods and on certain off-peak services only. Our lowest priced tickets are our range of Advance fares, these are very popular and are subject to availability.

Regards,
Random TOC Customer Service Bot

 

[paul1609]

Southern is missing the Super Off Peaks

Thats interesting because it only seems to apply to this particular route.
Southerns site offers super off peak travelcards for SWT services for instance.
How long have these tickets been available?

 

[Dewedin]

I don't know, I only have NFM6 installed. Maybe someone with an older NFM installed could check if these used to be available.

 

[wibble]

How long have these tickets been available?

SWT introduced the Super Off Peak in May 2007, Southern's Super Off Peak ticket is the 'fares simplified' Pricebuster ticket. No idea when that came in - might've been around the same time.

 

[paul1609]

Sorry I meant the Chelmsford to London Ticket.
Southerns Pricebuster was actually introduced by Connex.

 

[radamfi]

Southern also 'don't know' about the FCC Super Off Peak Travelcard from Three Bridges. That ticket undercuts the Any Permitted Travelcard considerably (£9.50 vs £17 - although the £17 fare has 25% Southern website discount at the moment) so its non-appearance isn't surprising...