GroupSave and Ranger tickets.

[bnm]

Was wondering, would a Heart of Wessex Day Ranger be eligible for GoupSave discount?

Or indeed any Rover or Ranger that didn't include potential travel on a TOC that disallows GroupSave.

 

[wintonian]

I'm pretty sure group save isn’t available (is it for any ranger/ rovers?) unless they are deliberately not telling anyone.

FGW have a leaflet which explains what discounts are allowed.

 

[LexyBoy]

I can't see anywhere which lists which ticket types are covered by GroupSave, but AFAIK it's only off-peak (day) returns and singles.

The National Rail page about GroupSave doesn't shed any light but does include the following:

This promotion is valid only in the direction of origin to destination.

Erm, what?

 

[bnm]

On a related note, what is the correct thing to do when you are travelling as a group from a station that has a TVM but no open ticket office?

NRCoC says that, if the ticket(s) for your journey are not available from the TVM, then you should buy ticket(s) for part of your journey.

How, as a group, do you decide what you should purchase?

Imagine their are 4 adults and 4 children in your group. It's quite possible that the single tickets to the next station for this group of 8 people will be more expensive than the total GroupSave fare for the journey your group plans to undertake. I can't see a guard refunding the difference then issuing the correct GroupSave fare.

Even if what you've paid into the TVM is less than your group's total GroupSave fare I'd imagine a guard would have a nightmare trying to issue the correct GroupSave tickets taking into account what has already been paid.

 

[LexyBoy]

We've had this question before with no clear answer come to.

It's not possible to excess from a non-discounted ticket to a "railcard" ticket, so I assume the same applies to GroupSave - and as you say part-way individual tickets could be more expensive than the GroupSave anyway.

The most logical solution would be to buy two tickets for each group of 3/4 travelling and have them excessed to GroupSave - I doubt that this is possible and in any case it's not what the NRCoC specifies (since each traveller needs a ticket for at least partway).

I think in this case it's reasonable to say that there was no opportunity to buy tickets before boarding, and so buy on board (finding the Guard, if present, at the first opportunity). Certain TOCs would say buy full price tickets from the TVM, then buy GroupSave and ask for the tickets to be refunded at an intermediate/destination station.

edit: I think the correct thing to do is to buy a low-value ticket for each person and then exchange these for the GroupSave tickets. However, this would be a massive PITA for all concerned and I believe that most Guards would rather issue the tickets on-board than go through the 'correct' procedure - best to proceed with caution in SWT-land though.

 

[bnm]

Yes, I've no doubt 'certain' TOCs would say as much. In fact I placed a call to a TOC this very AM enquiring as to what should be done.

No surprise that I got the advice that full fare tickets should be bought from the TVM and then the group should purchase GroupSave onboard, and then submit a claim for the TVM tickets to be refunded!

So, money in the bank for the TOC and a tortuous process for the pax to go through to get their money back. Then that refund has to be split between between the group. How do you do that, when in all likelihood the TOC will refund with a RTV or cheque?

Now, I'm pretty clued up when it comes to fares and the myriad rules and regulations governing them. But I'm trying to offer advice to infrequent (or indeed, new to trains) rail travellers who may be tempted to travel on some additional Summer Sunday services in my locality.

The system seems to be designed to set them up for a fall. And is in no way conducive to attracting these potential new pax to rail travel.

 

[wintonian]

We've had this question before with no clear answer come to.

It's not possible to excess from a non-discounted ticket to a "railcard" ticket, so I assume the same applies to GroupSave - and as you say part-way individual tickets could be more expensive than the GroupSave anyway.

The most logical solution would be to buy two tickets for each group of 3/4 travelling and have them excessed to GroupSave - I doubt that this is possible and in any case it's not what the NRCoC specifies (since each traveller needs a ticket for at least partway).

I think in this case it's reasonable to say that there was no opportunity to buy tickets before boarding, and so buy on board (finding the Guard, if present, at the first opportunity). Certain TOCs would say buy full price tickets from the TVM, then buy GroupSave and ask for the tickets to be refunded at an intermediate/destination station.

edit: I think the correct thing to do is to buy a low-value ticket for each person and then exchange these for the GroupSave tickets. However, this would be a massive PITA for all concerned and I believe that most Guards would rather issue the tickets on-board than go through the 'correct' procedure - best to proceed with caution in SWT-land though.

In SWT land group save is I belive available from TVM's (at least I thought I heard some pepole a little while ago doing it) which are at most stations so unlikely to be an issue unless you are traveling to one of the many destinations not in the 'comprehensive' TVM's.

 

[bnm]

Can't speak for SWT, but GroupSave is most definitely not available from FGW TVMs.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I can't see anywhere which lists which ticket types are covered by GroupSave, but AFAIK it's only off-peak (day) returns and singles.

Should also point out that GroupSave is available on flows where there is only Anytime Day Singles/Returns.

 

[causton]

On a related note, what is the correct thing to do when you are travelling as a group from a station that has a TVM but no open ticket office?

First Capital Connect have Groupsave available on their TVMs... I forgot it existed until I bought 3 tickets for the 1-stop BPK-PBR trip, and was confused when it said £3.00 on the payment page until I went back and it said Groupsave under the ticket types that were eligible

 

[wintonian]

Jolly good, though I expect on SWT you have to select it before confirming you selection for payment like you do with railcards , I'll try and remember to have a look next time I'm at the station.