Employee Privileges

[Trainrave]

Hi everyone,

I’m new to the forum and recently started as a trainee driver, although due to COVID-19 I’m yet to physically attend training.

Being new to the rail industry, I’m a tad confused by all of the rail staff travel privileges that come with the role.

Currently I have received a number of passes through the post, including a free travel pass for my TOC and have a few questions in relation to the other passes.

1. Most of the passes are flimsy paper passes. Do most people just keep these in their wallets and purses 24/7 to use if required?

2. What is the process for purchasing privilege rate tickets? Can you buy return tickets if returning a few days apart?

Any additional advice regarding privileges would be appreciated.

I’m aware that an employee may normally be given this information during an induction day, but due to the virus, I’m yet to have that opportunity either!

Thanks in advance.

 

[slidingdoors]

75% off season tickets (one month or longer). You need to request this using an online form on the rail delivery website at least 1 week before you want it start. They’ll send you a form you print off to take to the ticket office to buy it. The little flimsy card they send you gets you 75% off any walk up and buy tickets, but is for leisure use only.

 

[High Dyke]

To some extent it will be down to your respective employer, and what travel privileges they offer. However, on a general basis you will be classed as a non-safeguarded travel holder. Information is available on the Rail Staff Travel website.

Info here: https://www.raildeliverygroup.com/f...vices/rst/RST_TOC_New_Starter_TOC_Priv_v1.pdf

With regards to buying tickets you may buy return tickets for leisure travel.

 

[Trainrave]

75% off season tickets (one month or longer). You need to request this using an online form on the rail delivery website at least 1 week before you want it start. They’ll send you a form you print off to take to the ticket office to buy it. The little flimsy card they send you gets you 75% off any walk up and buy tickets, but is for leisure use only.

Does this literally involve walking up to a ticket office, for example Leeds and asking for a return ticket to London and automatically receiving 75% off the price at any time?

At the moment I would feel very awkward doing that!

 

[DA1]

Does this literally involve walking up to a ticket office, for example Leeds and asking for a return ticket to London and automatically receiving 75% off the price at any time?

At the moment I would feel very awkward doing that!

Yes that’s exactly what it is. With the new guidelines you’re now allowed to do this.No discounts available on super off peak or advance but on off peak and anytime. You may need to ask the ticket office to give you a photo card for your TOC priv ticket which you will need a passport sized photograph for.

 

[Horizon22]

Depending on your TOC, you may not get your Priv (technically "Rail Staff Leisure Card" now) right away, many make you wait 6 months of service. Normally these are explained in inductions, but gather you haven't had a proper one due to the situation! Check with your line manager / HR regarding this. Every one will give you free travel on your own TOC, and possibly other TOCs in the owning group.

1. Yes I've got a bank of 3-4 in my wallet

2. Can only do it physically at the moment. As mentioned you may need a photocard (again normally arranged prior to starting). It's essentially like buying tickets normally, but you just make the clerk know you have a pass by showing it and the discounts are applied.

 

[theironroad]

Does this literally involve walking up to a ticket office, for example Leeds and asking for a return ticket to London and automatically receiving 75% off the price at any time?

At the moment I would feel very awkward doing that!

Yeah, it's just processed like any other Railcard. Normally you'd just ask for a 'priv' return etc. Officially in the machine they seem to be called 'staff travel card' now but you'll either see that or priv printed on the ticket where the Railcard normally goes.

You can get a Railcard wallet at a station if you want to keep them separate from normal wallet.

There are however a long list of restrictions issued twice a year (some apply to travel on some tocs more than others). There are also some supplementary restrictions at moment because of capacity related to social distancing which mainly apply to Avanti,lnerand gwr.

Staff travel is a minefield, but everything you need to know is online, just search for rail staff travel.

You'll also get a FIP card (and can apply for free coupons) for Europaean travel after I think a year. That's even more of a minefield.

Some ferry and heritage railways also give discounts so make a brew sometime and read through the guides online, they are very informative.

 

[theironroad]

As mentioned above, you will need to get a photo card, though can't remember where from as mine says rail staff on, so probably have to prove it or issued in induction.

I've noticed in the last year or so more ticket offices asking to see the photo card and priv card, as while it has always been a requirement, it's not always been heavily enforced.

Finally, RST did mention a couple of months ago that they are (finally!) looking at some sort facility for priv mobile /e-ticket.

With the closure of many ticket offices and reduction in hours and the fact that the ticket machines for the public won't allow for priv discount, it has become harder to buy them. In which case you should buy at first opportunity including seeking out the guard on the train if there is one.

 

[Trainrave]

Thanks for your contributions so far everyone.
Sounds like a minefield, especially for someone new to the railway!

Cheers everyone.

 

[CyrusWuff]

With the exception of Chiltern and ScotRail, where you need to go through your HR Department, the majority of TOC employees can just obtain a normal season ticket photocard from any Ticket Office to support their Priv card.

The (non-contractual) agreement between the TOCs that allows a Priv discount on Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak tickets is due for renewal in September, so it'll be interesting to see if the DfT insist on scrapping it so you only get a discount on Anytime tickets again.

 

[221129]

No discounts available on super off peak

Source please? As this is clearly untrue.

 

[driver9000]

Your photo ID can be the ordinary photo card available from booking offices or a Photo ID staff travel card (such as a smart card type pass).

You will be entitled to continental discounts and free travel through your FIP card after 12 months service.

 

[Aivilo]

Source please? As this is clearly untrue.

It always used to be 75% off the standard full fare (peak/off-peak) although whilst looking I've seen super off peak mentioned. Probably where alot of ticket office staff could refresh themselves.

World is your oyster check out this for travel

Rail Staff Travel

Welcome to Rail Staff Travel. In this section, you'll find information about how to use your rail staff travel facilities.

www.raildeliverygroup.com

 

[TheGoldfish]

Is it correct that you can use these discounts on TFL rail and London overground but not on the Tube or DLR ?

 

[Skoodle]

Is it correct that you can use these discounts on TFL rail and London overground but not on the Tube or DLR ?

Yes, as London Overground and TFL Rail are National Rail services with TFL branding.

 

[TheGoldfish]

Yes, as London Overground and TFL Rail are National Rail services with TFL branding.

So hypothetically.. if I had non safeguarded residential travel into central London ..I’d need 2 tickets ? One to get me into the mainline terminus (75% off ) and another for the Tube part of the journey(full price) ? Even though when the 2 things are combined on a normal ticket the cost of the Tube journey is already included ? ..hope I’ve explained that right ?

 

[Stigy]

It always used to be 75% off the standard full fare (peak/off-peak) although whilst looking I've seen super off peak mentioned. Probably where alot of ticket office staff could refresh themselves.

World is your oyster check out this for travel

Rail Staff Travel

Welcome to Rail Staff Travel. In this section, you'll find information about how to use your rail staff travel facilities.

www.raildeliverygroup.com

I believe it’s 75% off the cheapest fare now, whereas a few years ago it was as you say, 75% off the standard fare.

 

[DA1]

Source please? As this is clearly untrue.

I always thought it was only available for anytime/off peak and on the rail delivery website there’s no mention whatsoever of super off peak.

Always thought it should be clearer so must be, as mentioned, discount on the cheapest fare now.

 

[43066]

75% off season tickets (one month or longer). You need to request this using an online form on the rail delivery website at least 1 week before you want it start. They’ll send you a form you print off to take to the ticket office to buy it. The little flimsy card they send you gets you 75% off any walk up and buy tickets, but is for leisure use only.

There’s nothing to stop you using the 75% walk up discount for commuting purposes, as well as leisure. You just can’t get a priv discount applied to a season ticket without filling in the form you refer to above.

 

[Stigy]

There’s nothing to stop you using the 75% walk up discount for commuting purposes, as well as leisure. You just can’t get a priv discount applied to a season ticket without filling in the form you refer to above.

It’s not technically allowed to be used for commuting purposes for walk up fares, or never used to be.

 

[driver9000]

There’s nothing to stop you using the 75% walk up discount for commuting purposes, as well as leisure. You just can’t get a priv discount applied to a season ticket without filling in the form you refer to above.

There is. Read the conditions of use which came with the pass, it specifically states it cannot be used for residential purposes.

 

[driver9000]

So hypothetically.. if I had non safeguarded residential travel into central London ..I’d need 2 tickets ? One to get me into the mainline terminus (75% off ) and another for the Tube part of the journey(full price) ? Even though when the 2 things are combined on a normal ticket the cost of the Tube journey is already included ? ..hope I’ve explained that right ?

As far as I'm aware it would be valid as part of a through journey with the + symbol indicating validity to cross London on the ticket.

 

[43066]

It’s not technically allowed to be used for commuting purposes for walk up fares, or never used to be.

There is. Read the conditions of use which came with the pass, it specifically states it cannot be used for residential purposes.

Thanks guys. I stand corrected! Must admit I’ve never bothered to check, and made the assumption.

I’d better get hold of that priv season ticket pronto...

 

[Stigy]

Thanks guys. I stand corrected! Must admit I’ve never bothered to check, and made the assumption.

I’d better get hold of that priv season ticket pronto...

I say “technically”....

 

[CW2]

I say “technically”....

My strong advice to you would be to get yourself a season ticket, even if you don't use it that often. TOC management may take a very strong line against ticketless travel, which is considered to be deliberate fraud. I have known people dismissed due to travel irregularities - including amazingly a TTI who thought it was OK for him to travel to work free of charge so long as he gripped the train every morning!
Having "committed fraud against his employer" against your name doesn't look good to future potential employers either.

 

[43066]

My strong advice to you would be to get yourself a season ticket, even if you don't use it that often. TOC management may take a very strong line against ticketless travel, which is considered to be deliberate fraud. I have known people dismissed due to travel irregularities - including amazingly a TTI who thought it was OK for him to travel to work free of charge so long as he gripped the train every morning!
Having "committed fraud against his employer" against your name doesn't look good to future potential employers either.

That wouldn’t be an issue for the driving grade since most (all?) TOCs give you unlimited free travel on their own services. Things may be different for other grades, of course.

In my case I commute using a different operator.

 

[Stigy]

My strong advice to you would be to get yourself a season ticket, even if you don't use it that often. TOC management may take a very strong line against ticketless travel, which is considered to be deliberate fraud. I have known people dismissed due to travel irregularities - including amazingly a TTI who thought it was OK for him to travel to work free of charge so long as he gripped the train every morning!
Having "committed fraud against his employer" against your name doesn't look good to future potential employers either.

I’m aware of the view taken by management, and I’ve done 13 years in an enforcement role on the railway before becoming a trainee driver. It was merely a tongue in cheek comment.

 

[Stigy]

That wouldn’t be an issue for the driving grade since most (all?) TOCs give you unlimited free travel on their own services. Things may be different for other grades, of course.

In my case I commute using a different operator.

S/he was referring to using other operators rather than your own. I don’t think anyone noticed what I first posted before amending my reply to simply say “I say technically....” .

 

[43066]

S/he was referring to using other operators rather than your own. I don’t think anyone noticed what I first posted before amending my reply to simply say “I say technically....” .

That’s a good point. Could you get into hot water with your own TOC’s management if you were caught bunking the fare to get to work on another operator’s services (not that I’d ever do such a thing )?

 

[221129]

That’s a good point. Could you get into hot water with your own TOC’s management if you were caught bunking the fare to get to work on another operator’s services (not that I’d ever do such a thing )?

Yes. Quite a few have been shown the door for such things, others have had their travel facilities revoked also. A few have even faced prosecution.