Changes to validity of Open tickets

[bengolding]

Am I correct in saying that the validity of First / Standard Open return tickets will change after the fares simplification next Sunday? Currently, the outward portion is valid for one calendar month but from next Sunday, it will only be valid for one day *yet* the price of the already expensive Open ticket remains the same whilst its flexibility is lost.

Why have ATOC made this change? They are making the most expensive Open return rail fares (which effectively subsidise the cheaper fares) even more restrictive.

I've herad one reason is to apparently cut down on fraudulent use, but then Open returns should never be available for short journeys anyway to counteract this, e.g. they are readily available in the London area for short journeys to/from certain airports. I buy these Open tickets for long distance journeys for their flexibility of being able to travel when I want and now they are being made even more restrictive because apparently people are mis-using them for shorter journeys in the south east where they shouldn't even be available.

A large proportion of Open tickets (especially First Open Returns) are purchased by companies for their employees. I know that many of these companies buy these Open tickets for the flexibility of being able to travel out within a month, if and when late changes to travel plans occur.

What do others think of this change?

 

[dan_atki]

Yes, the changes mean that travel on the outward portion must be undertaken on the date on the Anytime ticket. However, break of journey is allowed overnight provided the rest of the journey is commenced before 1200 the following day and no further breaking of journey is allowed except to change trains.

Return parts can be used anytime within the following month and up until 0230 on the day following the expiry date. If you are still travelling then, you can stay on that train to complete that part of the journey with no break allowed, and all travel must be completed by 1200.

My line of thought on the matter is that the ticket is not very 'open' any more - a huge amount of openness on them has been lost when they should be (IMO) the most flexible tickets available. Indeed, not exactly 'Anytime' is it?

 

[Matt Taylor]

I would imagine this is a result of the fact that there are a number of companies that purchase SOR/FORs for their employees and then ask the employees to return them when they have been used after which they end up being used a second time by another employee.



Matt