Key Smartcard from Stevenage

[rdwarr]

I was about to renew my season ticket and load onto my Key card which arrived yesterday. Fortunately I read the FAQs first and discovered it's not valid on VTEC services which I often use to get home to Stevenage.
However, the website now lists two Stevenage to London Terminals fares (for next year). Taking Monthly as an example (I always to the "Month and a bit" thing) there is a Smart Great Northern Only fare of £337.60 and a Smart Any Permitted fare of £340.70.
What does the extra £3.10 get you? Is it (hopefully) in anticipation of VTEC accepting the card?

 

[Wallsendmag]

I was about to renew my season ticket and load onto my Key card which arrived yesterday. Fortunately I read the FAQs first and discovered it's not valid on VTEC services which I often use to get home to Stevenage.
However, the website now lists two Stevenage to London Terminals fares (for next year). Taking Monthly as an example (I always to the "Month and a bit" thing) there is a Smart Great Northern Only fare of £337.60 and a Smart Any Permitted fare of £340.70.
What does the extra £3.10 get you? Is it (hopefully) in anticipation of VTEC accepting the card?

Maybe after the VTEC on board equipment update next year but I wouldn't have thought it would happen before that.

 

[jon0844]

If it's any permitted, can VTEC refuse you travel even if they can't read the card?

 

[londonbridge]

If I understand the rules correctly from reading previous threads and discussion then no they can't. If you have a valid ticket they can't charge you with 'failing to produce on demand a valid ticket' or refuse travel merely because they don't have the equipment to confirm your ticket is valid-which it surely would be if it were ANY PERMITTED.

I'm reminded of the gentleman who was refused travel on Virgin West coast with a combination of his Oyster Card and a paper extension, his case has been well documented on these boards.

 

[Hadders]

Is it genuinely Any Permitted. In NFM22 the smartcard seasons were all 'Great Northern Only'. Avantix Traveller NFM23 hasn't been released yet so I don't know what the restrictions will be.

To be honest I'd go with a paper season.

 

[jon0844]

If you were getting an annual, it would be safer to get a smartcard ticket to give protection from losing your ticket, and to stop you needing to keep changing it (or if that's not an issue, at least touch in and out that bit quicker).

Of course, the Key has other issues, but I'd still choose it over a paper ticket. Even for a monthly.

 

[Starmill]

If it's any permitted, can VTEC refuse you travel even if they can't read the card?

No - the ticket is electronic so reading it is their look-out. However, my understanding of this product is that it is not a replacement for an Any Permitted one anyway.

 

[jon0844]

It would be good to see an explanation of a slightly more expensive ticket described as any permitted, if it actually isn't.

What a total mess.