Flexi all liner

[45039]

Hi I have just done a 4 in 8 north east rover which I enjoyed a quick question for all of you.
Why isn't there a flexi all liner IE 5 in 8 or a 10 in 15, the reason im asking is as you all know the all liner is expensive so to make it pay you have to basically abuse it.
Now if you have a flexi version you can basically not wear yourself out making it pay they do flexi versions of majority of all rovers including freedom of Scotland so why not the all liner ?

 

[ForTheLoveOf]

Why isn't there a flexi all liner IE 5 in 8 or a 10 in 15

Because the RDG aren't obliged to offer it, and the TOCs are afraid of impacting their business revenue from people travelling on expenses. This is the reason the ALR already has certain morning peak restrictions. If there were flexible ALRs available, it would be a much cheaper form of season ticket for a lot of part-time commuters.

to make it pay you have to basically abuse it.

Not really - the ALR is clearly aimed towards rail enthusiasts as a primary market, so they know perfectly well that it will be intensively used, and it's priced accordingly!

Now if you have a flexi version you can basically not wear yourself out making it pay they do flexi versions of majority of all rovers including freedom of Scotland so why not the all liner ?

Because the ALR is, by its very nature, far more flexible than any other ranger or rover. See above - if they offered a flexi product it would have to be priced at more or less the same rate as the normal ALR per day of 'potential' validity. It's very difficult for the TOCs to design a product that's attractive enough to enthusiasts but doesn't undermine their other, much more lucrative markets.

 

[hooverboy]

Because the RDG aren't obliged to offer it, and the TOCs are afraid of impacting their business revenue from people travelling on expenses. This is the reason the ALR already has certain morning peak restrictions. If there were flexible ALRs available, it would be a much cheaper form of season ticket for a lot of part-time commuters.


Not really - the ALR is clearly aimed towards rail enthusiasts as a primary market, so they know perfectly well that it will be intensively used, and it's priced accordingly!


Because the ALR is, by its very nature, far more flexible than any other ranger or rover. See above - if they offered a flexi product it would have to be priced at more or less the same rate as the normal ALR per day of 'potential' validity. It's very difficult for the TOCs to design a product that's attractive enough to enthusiasts but doesn't undermine their other, much more lucrative markets.

the ALR is a "vacation" ticket.it should be priced accordingly...it's too high at present.
How is it competitive with the price of a week's all inclusive holiday in spain for instance? if you take accommodation into account it's basically double (circa £1k for a weeks holiday,whereas all inclusive to spain would knock you back about £400).

the time restrictions really aren't too big a deal, but the price certainly is.

 

[404250]

Odd to compare a train ticket to a Spanish holiday.

 

[ForTheLoveOf]

the ALR is a "vacation" ticket.it should be priced accordingly...it's too high at present.
How is it competitive with the price of a week's all inclusive holiday in spain for instance? if you take accommodation into account it's basically double (circa £1k for a weeks holiday,whereas all inclusive to spain would knock you back about £400).

the time restrictions really aren't too big a deal, but the price certainly is.

If you don't like the price, don't buy it! It is aimed at rail enthusiasts who are not opposed to spending a lot of money for having almost unlimited flexibility. More restrictive rangers and rovers are available for, in many cases, far better value for money in terms of pence per mile.

I doubt a rail enthusiast would compare the cost of an ALR to the cost of a holiday in the Costa del Sol. It's apples and oranges.

 

[cactustwirly]

the ALR is a "vacation" ticket.it should be priced accordingly...it's too high at present.
How is it competitive with the price of a week's all inclusive holiday in spain for instance? if you take accommodation into account it's basically double (circa £1k for a weeks holiday,whereas all inclusive to spain would knock you back about £400).

the time restrictions really aren't too big a deal, but the price certainly is.

Well an Interrail pass is much cheaper, and is a whole lot better IMO

 

[tiptoptaff]

As is a Britrail pass but they're different products for different markets to an ALR

 

[andythebrave]

Well, as it's possible to easily undercut the ALR price on some very lengthy commuter journeys through the use of weekly seasons or combinations of seasons (Manchester to London over £200 less for example) I can't see the reasoning behind either:
1) the time restrictions or
2) the lack of a flexi option
I would certainly use one again if these were corrected; as it is I won't make the extra journeys at all.

 

[hooverboy]

Well an Interrail pass is much cheaper, and is a whole lot better IMO

...for travel in europe-not uk...
and I agree, it's much cheaper at around 2/3 the price.This is good value

 

[hooverboy]

As is a Britrail pass but they're different products for different markets to an ALR

for travel in uk, ...decent value....however UK citizens not eligible.

 

[cactustwirly]

...for travel in europe-not uk...
and I agree, it's much cheaper at around 2/3 the price.This is good value

True, but from an enthusiasts point of view European railways are more exciting than the UK

 

[tiptoptaff]

The time restrictions reflect the fact it's a leisure product

 

[Spoorslag '70]

True, but from an enthusiasts point of view European railways are more exciting than the UK

Trust me: The German network will be just as unexciting when you have used it for a couple of weeks/months/years.

To get back on topic: Please be lucky that you can even get such a product. DB is far too happy with itself to consider offering a weekly or monthly rover for long-distance trains. (There used to be a promotional one every summer, but that has been replaced by four singles for the same price.)

It's quite important not to undercut too many fares with a rover product and as such the pricing and restrictions make perfect sense.

 

[Tetchytyke]

The time restrictions reflect the fact it's a leisure product

There aren't many time restrictions, and these only appeared after Andrew Adonis brought attention to the product.

The ALR is pricey though, when you compare it to BritRail (yes, I understand why, no, I don't agree with the justification).