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What adverts/messages have appeared on the back of credit-card-sized ticket stock?

py_megapixel

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Joined
5 Nov 2018
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7,450
Location
Northern England
Sat on a train I find myself idly reading the neat stack of orange credit-card-sized tickets I have just been given by the ticket office. I notice there are a few different messages that appear on the back of the tickets, above the magstripe. I can upload scans of any of these at some point if they are of interest.

I currently have:
  • An advert for Interrail and Eurail passes
  • An advert for Plusbus
  • The Samaritans' phone number and logo
Looking at my tickets from other recent journeys, I have also seen:
  • An advert for railcards
  • "Get up to 2 for 1 offers at local attractions when you go by train"
  • "Plan your journey online. Visit nationalrail.co.uk or download the National Rail app"
This has made mildly curious about what other messages appear currently, and what has appeared in the past (they must have been updated over the years, since e.g. this design of ticket stock predates apps!)
 
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RailUK Forums

150219

Member
Joined
24 Nov 2009
Messages
469
The short answer is that they run into the 100's. There was a vogue for adverts on the back of orange tickets in the late 90s and as you say it continues now albeit not as colourful, diverse and widespread.

If I recall correctly the LU had started before the national railway did and I guess it made sense to follow suit.

There is a transport ticket society publication on the subject, but I believe you'll need to be a member to read it.

Edit: photo attached of an example from 1999.
 

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