Network Railcard validity query.

[Prairie_5542]

Not sure if this has been posted before now. I have been looking through the fares system and I have a question in regard to the following:


Just an example: Witham to Cambridge via Ipswich (00062) Off-Peak Return (SVR) is normally £28.70. Applying Network Railcard discount this brings it down to £18.95. Both stations are in the Network Railcard area map.

Looking in the Network Railcard leaflet the area map shows and says ''Network Railcards are NOT valid on the grey lines''. There is a grey line from Manningtree (which is the NSE boundary) to Ipswich. This would be the route a passenger would take to get to Cambridge.

What I want to find out is 1.Why it lets this through the system if it is not valid? 2. Would a customer receive a penalty fare for going on this route if the ticket is not valid or would they have to pay an excess fare up to the price before the railcard is applied. 3. Is it because both stations are in the NSE area that it permits the ticket on machines?
4.What would you do if you were a guard on the train and came across this?
5. If it conflicts with what is written in the leaflet shouldn't it be changed to stop this fare?

Your thoughts would be most appreciated!

5542

 

[maniacmartin]

I think the TIS just checks to see if the origin and destination are in the NSE area, and does not consider routes.

 

[RJ]

Not sure if this has been posted before now. I have been looking through the fares system and I have a question in regard to the following:


Just an example: Witham to Cambridge via Ipswich (00062) Off-Peak Return (SVR) is normally £28.70. Applying Network Railcard discount this brings it down to £18.95. Both stations are in the Network Railcard area map.

Looking in the Network Railcard leaflet the area map shows and says ''Network Railcards are NOT valid on the grey lines''. There is a grey line from Manningtree (which is the NSE boundary) to Ipswich. This would be the route a passenger would take to get to Cambridge.

What I want to find out is 1.Why it lets this through the system if it is not valid? 2. Would a customer receive a penalty fare for going on this route if the ticket is not valid or would they have to pay an excess fare up to the price before the railcard is applied. 3. Is it because both stations are in the NSE area that it permits the ticket on machines?
4.What would you do if you were a guard on the train and came across this?
5. If it conflicts with what is written in the leaflet shouldn't it be changed to stop this fare?

Your thoughts would be most appreciated!

5542

Which system are you using? I've had a look on National Rail Enquires and no discount is given for the route Ipswich tickets, though there is for the Any Permitted ticket for travel via London. I think a retailer would be expected to check on behalf of the passenger and not issue the ticket if it can't be used legitimately.

I looked this kind of thing up when I was in the ticket office. If either station was outside of the Network area, it would bring up all the prices but no ticket could be selected for issue. Where both stations were in the area, the ticket could be issued, but the in built journey planner would grey out routes where the Network Railcard wasn't valid.

 

[LexyBoy]

As RJ says, NRE correctly shows the undiscounted fare, so it's not unreasonable to expect TVMs and booking offices to be able to provide accurate information.

2. Would a customer receive a penalty fare for going on this route if the ticket is not valid or would they have to pay an excess fare up to the price before the railcard is applied.

Yes, it's happened before.

5. If it conflicts with what is written in the leaflet shouldn't it be changed to stop this fare?

Better would be to introduce easements to allow it, but I can't see this happening. This fare is probably unusual in that it is never valid (as the via point is outside the NSE boundary), but there are other cases where there are permitted routes both entirely within the NSE area and also straying from it, in which case denying the discount would be unfair.

 

[Prairie_5542]

Which system are you using? I've had a look on National Rail Enquires and no discount is given for the route Ipswich tickets, though there is for the Any Permitted ticket for travel via London. I think a retailer would be expected to check on behalf of the passenger and not issue the ticket if it can't be used legitimately.

I looked this kind of thing up when I was in the ticket office. If either station was outside of the Network area, it would bring up all the prices but no ticket could be selected for issue. Where both stations were in the area, the ticket could be issued, but the in built journey planner would grey out routes where the Network Railcard wasn't valid.

I am using Tribute. The S & B machines also allow this fare! The amount of times we have had arguments with customers about this. They simply say 'the machine allows us to buy it qhy can't you!?'

 

[RJ]

I am using Tribute. The S & B machines also allow this fare! The amount of times we have had arguments with customers about this. They simply say 'the machine allows us to buy it qhy can't you!?'

I am also experienced with Tribute. If you apply the Network Railcard discount, select the Via Ipswich fare then bring up the journey planner, you'll find all itineraries via Ipswich will be greyed out!