Emergency travel

[Sealink]

I have a friend who needs to travel urgently as their father is seriously ill, but doesn't get paid till next week

I remember years ago this happened to another friend and was able to get a ticket with a promise to pay form, but as I was suggesting this I couldn't find any evidence for it

Did I imagine this?

 

[SomeTrainboy]

Not sure if they still readily issue these, I would suggest to just borrow money from people, hope their father gets better..

 

[Bishopstone]

I thought the scheme was for those stranded away from home - eg minors, or people who'd been robbed of (or lost) their return ticket/cards/cash etc - rather than those still at home, but lacking the means to buy a ticket.

The friend's bank may be prepared to provide an overdraft, until pay day, if they can see the wages crediting that account on a regular basis.

 

[CyrusWuff]

The SILK (Stranded Individual Location Known) procedure has been retired given tickets can be bought online as e-tickets or for collection (usually) without requiring the payment card.

It was only available on the day of travel, only Anytime Singles (with Child/Railcard discounts if applicable) were sold and there was a £10 admin fee. So for London - Birmingham, for example, it would cost £98.50 on Avanti, £92.80 on Chiltern or £58.70 on London Northwestern - plus the £10 fee in each case.

You also had to wait for the station where the ticket was being paid for to contact the station that would be issuing the ticket to confirm the journey details and that payment had been made.

 

[Hadders]

The most obvious solution here would be a credit card, if your friend has one or is able to persuade a friend or family member who has one to assist.