PaulLothian
Member
Not technically a correct title, but it does arise from the start of the A-B services! Have previously mentioned this on another thread, but it's probably best kept separate (http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=42063). Sorry - this is a longish post!
Background - I discovered that Off Peak Day returns from 'old' stations on the new line via Airdrie and Bathgate (Uphall, Livingston North and Bathgate) to Exhibition Centre Glasgow (and Anderston) were ludicrously out of proportion to all other fares on the line (£17.00 as against £11.70 if splitting ticket at Glasgow Queen Street.)
I wrote to Scotrail to alert them of this anomaly, using the contacts helpfully noted in the old thread. In reply I was advised that 'this ticket can be used on all permitted routes, which is why it costs more.' It also stated:
'Our staff will always endeavour to provide the most economic fare for the journey requested, but I hope you will understand that for a journey of this nature, many combinations may exist given the various ticket types available for shorter and longer distance journeys. Once the customer is aware that a combination of tickets may be cheaper than the through fare, our staff can sell them, but only if specifically asked.'
I then pointed out that travel by Edinburgh Park is no longer a permitted route, and that splitting an OPDR at Edinburgh Park would still be cheaper than the present through ticket via Airdrie! I suggested that this appeared an exceptionally poor instance of customer relations. and that it would seem reasonable to instruct all ticket staff in the meantime to offer split ticketing pending the adjustment of this fare anomaly as part of the "small number of adjustments still to be made".
The response (topped and tailed): 'I regret that you were given the incorrect information in our previous correspondence, and I can confirm that your route is now non-permitted, since the introduction of the new Airdrie/ Bathgate line.
Historically, the fares within Strathclyde were set by the former Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority, and these fares were subsidised. Since the introduction of the new Airdrie/ Bathgate line, this has created a number of fares anomalies and we are progressively looking at rectifying these over a period of time. I can confirm that the fares on this route will be reviewed and adjusted accordingly at our next fare change opportunity'.
So basically, not answering any of the points I made. The fares in question are only marginally to do with the SPTA issue, as far as I can see.
This raises several questions:
How difficult is it to work out fares relating to new routes?
How complicated is it to update ticketing systems with new or revised fares?
Is it feasible for Scotrail to instruct all staff to offer split ticketing until they fix the issue?
And why did Scotrail not foresee the possibility of needing to update ticketing systems?!
Background - I discovered that Off Peak Day returns from 'old' stations on the new line via Airdrie and Bathgate (Uphall, Livingston North and Bathgate) to Exhibition Centre Glasgow (and Anderston) were ludicrously out of proportion to all other fares on the line (£17.00 as against £11.70 if splitting ticket at Glasgow Queen Street.)
I wrote to Scotrail to alert them of this anomaly, using the contacts helpfully noted in the old thread. In reply I was advised that 'this ticket can be used on all permitted routes, which is why it costs more.' It also stated:
'Our staff will always endeavour to provide the most economic fare for the journey requested, but I hope you will understand that for a journey of this nature, many combinations may exist given the various ticket types available for shorter and longer distance journeys. Once the customer is aware that a combination of tickets may be cheaper than the through fare, our staff can sell them, but only if specifically asked.'
I then pointed out that travel by Edinburgh Park is no longer a permitted route, and that splitting an OPDR at Edinburgh Park would still be cheaper than the present through ticket via Airdrie! I suggested that this appeared an exceptionally poor instance of customer relations. and that it would seem reasonable to instruct all ticket staff in the meantime to offer split ticketing pending the adjustment of this fare anomaly as part of the "small number of adjustments still to be made".
The response (topped and tailed): 'I regret that you were given the incorrect information in our previous correspondence, and I can confirm that your route is now non-permitted, since the introduction of the new Airdrie/ Bathgate line.
Historically, the fares within Strathclyde were set by the former Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority, and these fares were subsidised. Since the introduction of the new Airdrie/ Bathgate line, this has created a number of fares anomalies and we are progressively looking at rectifying these over a period of time. I can confirm that the fares on this route will be reviewed and adjusted accordingly at our next fare change opportunity'.
So basically, not answering any of the points I made. The fares in question are only marginally to do with the SPTA issue, as far as I can see.
This raises several questions:
How difficult is it to work out fares relating to new routes?
How complicated is it to update ticketing systems with new or revised fares?
Is it feasible for Scotrail to instruct all staff to offer split ticketing until they fix the issue?
And why did Scotrail not foresee the possibility of needing to update ticketing systems?!