Priv Oyster annual updates....

[Port Road]

Dinosaurs like me who hold Safeguarded facilities take note; I recently tried to update my Priv Oyster card with the new BR Staff Travel Pass number, as we are required to do annualy, in person. Previously most central underground station staff could do the update, I usually use Kings Cross or Euston. However, the staff at Euston underground told me that they can't do it there now. The staff member advised me that only a few stations can now update a Priv Oyster Card and the nearest place that could now do the update is Paddington. (I was en-route to Carlisle and didn't have time so I will need to trail to London again before the end of June to have the update applied or lose the discount).

I raised this with TfL and they have replied confirming that this is now the case. Almost as if they're deliberately making it awkward to update the cards, especially for those of us who live hundreds of miles away. They provided a link showing the locations where they can now update Priv Oysters;

Elizabeth line station	Monday to Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Ilford	10.00 - 15.00	10.00 - 15.00	Closed
Romford	10.00 - 15.00	10.00 - 15.00	Closed
Ealing Broadway	10.00 - 15.00	10.00 - 17.00	10.00 - 17.00
West Ealing	10.00 - 15.00	10.00 - 17.00	Closed
Hayes and Harlington	10.00 - 15.00	10.00 - 17.00	10.00 - 17.00
Southall	10.00 - 15.00	10.00 - 17.00	Closed
West Drayton	10.00 - 15.00	10.00 - 17.00	Closed
Custom House	10.00 - 15.00	10.00 - 17.00	10.00 - 17.00
Woolwich	10.00 - 15.00	10.00 - 17.00	10.00 - 17.00
Canary Wharf	10.00 - 15.00	10.00 - 17.00	10.00 - 17.00
Paddington	10.00 - 15.00	10.00 - 17.00	10.00 - 17.00

 

[transportphoto]

It may be worth reference to the relevant pages on the RSTL website. I believe there is a difference for Safeguarded vs. non-Safeguarded facility holders. Safeguarded (NR Only Priv) are certainly restricted to the above list.

 

[Port Road]

It may be worth reference to the relevant pages on the RSTL website. I believe there is a difference for Safeguarded vs. non-Safeguarded facility holders. Safeguarded (NR Only Priv) are certainly restricted to the above list.

I also queried it with RSTL and it was a surprise to them as well, I've suggested an entry in their "news" section.....

 

[transportphoto]

I also queried it with RSTL and it was a surprise to them as well, I've suggested an entry in their "news" section.....

I doubt the position has actually changed - simply wires getting crossed on the ground and in Customer Services on TfL’s side.

 

[Port Road]

Oh it definitely has changed - neither I nor any of my railway acquaintances have never had any problem whatsoever in the past 12 years or so updating a Priv Oyster at Kings Cross, Euston, Liverpool Street, Waterloo and thers; even one time at Hounslow Central. And last week RSTL were of the opinion that they would/could still do it at 'most' stations.

 

[CyrusWuff]

I doubt the position has actually changed - simply wires getting crossed on the ground and in Customer Services on TfL’s side.

Very much this. I've heard a rumour of a proposal to allow the "Priv NR Only" discount for Non-Safeguarded Staff to be set at some LU stations on a trial basis. That doesn't affect the arrangements for getting the "Priv All", "Priv All-N" and "Priv TfL Rail" discounts set though, which can still (theoretically) done at any LU station as long as the member of staff can access the staff screens on a ticket machine.

 

[transportphoto]

Oh it definitely has changed - neither I nor any of my railway acquaintances have never had any problem whatsoever in the past 12 years or so updating a Priv Oyster at Kings Cross, Euston, Liverpool Street, Waterloo and thers; even one time at Hounslow Central. And last week RSTL were of the opinion that they would/could still do it at 'most' stations.

Honestly, I’m not convinced it has changed. This is a niche topic which not all staff will be familiar with its nuances.

RSTL really should be getting clarity and getting it right though. It’s notable their website still has the old processes.

Have you considered an FOI request to TfL asking for information relevant to the change?

 

[Port Road]

Very much this. I've heard a rumour of a proposal to allow the "Priv NR Only" discount for Non-Safeguarded Staff to be set at some LU stations on a trial basis. That doesn't affect the arrangements for getting the "Priv All", "Priv All-N" and "Priv TfL Rail" discounts set though, which can still (theoretically) done at any LU station as long as the member of staff can access the staff screens on a ticket machine.

"That doesn't affect the arrangements for getting the "Priv All", "Priv All-N" and "Priv TfL Rail" discounts set though, which can still (theoretically) done at any LU station as long as the member of staff can access the staff screens on a ticket machine."

My Priv rate is "Priv All", and I'm being told it's now changed to updates at stations on the above list only, so the opposite of this.

 

[Benjwri]

"That doesn't affect the arrangements for getting the "Priv All", "Priv All-N" and "Priv TfL Rail" discounts set though, which can still (theoretically) done at any LU station as long as the member of staff can access the staff screens on a ticket machine."

My Priv rate is "Priv All", and I'm being told it's now changed to updates at stations on the above list only, so the opposite of this.

This is incorrect. The list you post is the old list for where an NR Only Priv discount can be set.

I suspect there may be some confusion as there has been a brief on not setting the NR Only discount, which staff had been doing, at LU stations (Alon with some potential future changed to NR Only setting, but positive ones)

 

[calopez]

I certainly had no problem getting my Priv All Rail and my wife's Priv All Rail-N discounts set on our Oyster cards just last week at our local station, Greenford.

 

[Port Road]

Hmmmm....so it looks like TfL need to re-brief some of their staff on this then maybe.

Either that or it actually has been changed. I guess I'll find out soon enough.

 

[Mag_seven]

The RSTL guidelines for updating the priv discount on Oyster for Safeguarded Employees could not be clearer:

When you get a new Staff Travel Card, take it to a London Underground station and get the Priv All Rail discount updated on your Oyster card.

For Safeguarded Employees

The Rail Delivery Group was set up in 2011 to provide leadership to Britain's rail industry, bringing together the owners of Britain's passenger train operators

www.raildeliverygroup.com

I am not aware of any change to this procedure.

 

[bluegoblin7]

This is incorrect. The list you post is the old list for where an NR Only Priv discount can be set.

I suspect there may be some confusion as there has been a brief on not setting the NR Only discount, which staff had been doing, at LU stations (Alon with some potential future changed to NR Only setting, but positive ones)

This broadly sums up the position. There has been no change to Priv All and Priv TfL. There are some changes to Priv NR in the pipeline and a very stern brief has gone out.

Unfortunately for many staff Priv is something they come across so rarely that it is ultimately better to err on the side of caution - there have been a few disciplinaries in recent times for setting the wrong kind of discount, either accidentally or because asked to do so by the Priv holder.

It is a case of wires crossed, but there should be some understanding here, particularly from rail staff.

Obviously I can’t share internal documents here, but those who know who I am will have no qualms about my reliability.

 

[Surreytraveller]

There has been some wording added to this year's boxes - 'valid for leisure travel only'. This has caused confusion within LU, who think this means it is a Leisure Staff Card, which is issued to non-safeguarded staff.
If you're on Facebook, you will find in the Rail Staff Travel group umpteen posts about this subject.
Nothing has changed, except the wording on the Staff Travel Card.

 

[Port Road]

This broadly sums up the position. There has been no change to Priv All and Priv TfL. There are some changes to Priv NR in the pipeline and a very stern brief has gone out.

Unfortunately for many staff Priv is something they come across so rarely that it is ultimately better to err on the side of caution - there have been a few disciplinaries in recent times for setting the wrong kind of discount, either accidentally or because asked to do so by the Priv holder.

It is a case of wires crossed, but there should be some understanding here, particularly from rail staff.

Obviously I can’t share internal documents here, but those who know who I am will have no qualms about my reliability.

bluegoblin7;
Thanks for your response. There do seem to be some crossed wires, unfortunately (maybe due to 'stern emails' and 'disciplinaries' by TfL 'management'?); as posted by yourself, 'somewhere' and others above. I have had replies from TfL customer enquiries after questioning the issue, and their replies are also confused between 'safeguarded', 'non safeguarded', 'Liesure Card' and 'Staff Travel Card' privs. (As you say, at many locations staff will encounter these infrequently).

As for understanding from rail staff; please be assured I have every understanding - and respect - for TfL operational staff, having been a London Underground employee in the 1980's myself (when the UndergrounD had guards - Wood Lane training school, anyone?)...before transferring across to BR.

As a personal update to my original post, I travelled to London last week, and at Euston on this occassion was met by a lovely young lady at the gateline who updated my Safeguarded Priv Oyster card without batting an eyelid - no questions asked. A professional.

 

[27105]

Reading this thread there seems to be complete and utter confusion at all levels.

As a retired ex-BR employee with protected status BR Priv and Boxes, could someone please explain exactly what I'm entitled too regarding Priv Rate Oyster Card with no time restrictions and how I purchase one?

Many thanks
27105

 

[Elecman]

Reading this thread there seems to be complete and utter confusion at all levels.

As a retired ex-BR employee with protected status BR Priv and Boxes, could someone please explain exactly what I'm entitled too regarding Priv Rate Oyster Card with no time restrictions and how I purchase one?

Many thanks
27105

You apply though Rail Staff Atravel for them to issue you with an authorising Form. You the travel to London and buy an Oyster Card( if you don’t already have one). Ask the gate line assistants to load the Oyster Discount onto your Oyster card having shown them the completed RST Form and your valid Staff Travel card.

 

[Surreytraveller]

You apply though Rail Staff Atravel for them to issue you with an authorising Form. You the travel to London and buy an Oyster Card( if you don’t already have one). Ask the gate line assistants to load the Oyster Discount onto your Oyster card having shown them the completed RST Form and your valid Staff Travel card.

In addition to this, it has to be and Underground station staffed by Underground staff.
Make sure they put the 'All Rail' discount on it - not NR Only or TfL Rail

 

[27105]

You apply though Rail Staff Atravel for them to issue you with an authorising Form. You the travel to London and buy an Oyster Card( if you don’t already have one). Ask the gate line assistants to load the Oyster Discount onto your Oyster card having shown them the completed RST Form and your valid Staff Travel card.

Elecman many thanks for your reply.
So basically there's no change from the current arrangement at any mainline underground station?

 

[bluegoblin7]

As per my post on 11 June:

This broadly sums up the position. There has been no change to Priv All and Priv TfL.

A further brief has gone out to staff re-affirming this.

 

[27105]

As per my post on 11 June:



A further brief has gone out to staff re-affirming this.

Ok thank you.