Did GTR withdraw most of their 'smart' single/return ticket types recently?

[Edvid]

On BR Fares I've noticed various GTR single/return ticket types specific to ITSO fulfilment have been delisted for certain flows. Here's Luton Airport Parkway to London Thameslink, for example (with Network Railcard):

Previous fares period ending 28 Feb 26
Current fares period starting 1 Mar 26

I perused the TVMs at Parkway and Luton to check that Off Peak Day Returns / Travelcards to London are still available for ITSO fulfilment, which they are. Are these now the usual ticket types (CDR or DDR / ODT), or still the 'smart' types (0AK / 0CC)?

 

[Haywain]

On BR Fares I've noticed various GTR single/return ticket types specific to ITSO fulfilment have been delisted for certain flows. Here's Luton Airport Parkway to London Thameslink, for example (with Network Railcard):

Previous fares period ending 28 Feb 26
Current fares period starting 1 Mar 26

I perused the TVMs at Parkway and Luton to check that Off Peak Day Returns / Travelcards to London are still available for ITSO fulfilment, which they are. Are these now the usual ticket types (CDR or DDR / ODT), or still the 'smart' types (0AK / 0CC)?

I hope they are the usual ticket types as it was a nonsense having a separate one for smartcard fulfilment.

 

[MrJeeves]

I'm not convinced the "Smart" fares served any purpose for the last decade or so.

 

[Wallsendmag]

I'll have a check on my test tablet
Looks like on Travelcards and season are available on Smartcards, not any of the normal ticket type walk up tickets

 

[Haywain]

I'm not convinced the "Smart" fares served any purpose for the last decade or so.

It was one of their smart fares that caused me to decide to retire, so that certainly served a useful purpose (although @Wallsendmag might not agree!).

 

[Wallsendmag]

It was one of their smart fares that caused me to decide to retire, so that certainly served a useful purpose (although @Wallsendmag might not agree!).

I certainly don't , want to come back?

 

[MrJeeves]

It was one of their smart fares that caused me to decide to retire

I think we need the full story behind this one day...

 

[Wallsendmag]

I think we need the full story behind this one day...

I feel terrible as I asked him to help with the customer.

 

[Edvid]

As it turns out, the answer to my question is yes.

REQUEST

1. As of the fares period commencing 1 March 2026, a raft of 'Smart' ticket types created purely for ITSO fulfilment (e.g. 0AE, the 'Smart' Anytime Day Return) appear to have been removed from the industry fares data for flows between the Thameslink core and TL / Great Northern stations north thereof. Does this now mean tickets purchased for ITSO smartcards on those flows are the regular 'paper' ticket types, as is longstanding practice with most other Train Operating Companies?

RESPONSE

1. Yes, to simplify the ticket offering for customers, the standard national products have been enabled for ITSO fulfilment, meaning the duplicate Smartcard products could be removed. The range of tickets and geographical area has not changed and will continue to be available on GTR Smartcards.

That said the 'smart' ticket types are still available on some flows - Dorking to London Terminals, for instance.

 

[Haywain]

I wonder if they might now make them available to buy through their own website and app? Answer: not yet. Wonder why they find difficult when other TOCs can manage?

 

[81A]

There seems to have been a general review of the fares data recently. These "smart" ticket types seem to have only been one of many weird/outdated products removed...