Network Railcard

[msussams]

Hi there,

Wondering if you think there should be an extension to the area of the Network Railcard, or a different versions for different Areas.

I living nr Bristol with no railcard discounts, just frustratingly one could if they lived nr Didcot, Oxford or Worcester - Travelling East...

Just a little annoying....

 

[yorkie]

Yes, of course, but as you mention it there's a thread Changes to Annual Gold Card benefits from 2nd January 2015 where it has been revealed that there will be an increase in the area for Gold Card holders, though it's not clear what the increase will be. A Gold Card also costs a considerable sum.

 

[PeterY]

Network Southeast railcards are a bit of an anomaly amongst rail cards. If it wasn't for the card, my leisure journeys would almost be nil. Thank you Chris Green.

I hope they continue for a few more years, well at least 3 until I can get an over 60's card.

It's a shame there's not a UK rail discount card for us "single" people.

 

[Clip]

It's a shame there's not a UK rail discount card for us "single" people.

you generally get nowt in ife if yoru are single apart from a lousy 25% off you CT. You are deemed to have a higher source of disposable income.

 

[JonathanH]

Network Southeast railcards are a bit of an anomaly amongst rail cards. If it wasn't for the card, my leisure journeys would almost be nil. Thank you Chris Green.

I hope they continue for a few more years, well at least 3 until I can get an over 60's card.

It's a shame there's not a UK rail discount card for us "single" people.

The arguments against this have been discussed many times, in particular how you separate income from leisure travellers against the revenue from business users and the fact that the railcard would not generate revenue.

Railway companies provide plenty of offers for journeys they want you to make rather than the journeys you want to make. A railcard is too blunt an instrument in that sense.

PS - based on inflation, the minimum fare on a Network Railcard is well overdue an increase from £13 (unless the plan is to wait for a big increase).

 

[yorksrob]

The arguments against this have been discussed many times, in particular how you separate income from leisure travellers against the revenue from business users and the fact that the railcard would not generate revenue.

Railway companies provide plenty of offers for journeys they want you to make rather than the journeys you want to make. A railcard is too blunt an instrument in that sense.

PS - based on inflation, the minimum fare on a Network Railcard is well overdue an increase from £13 (unless the plan is to wait for a big increase).

Does the Network Card generate revenue ?

If it does, you can't argue that it wouldn't elsewhere.

Yes, you might say that there isn't the capacity for it outside of the South East (although I think this is overstated on many routes), but you can't argue that it generates revenue in the South East but wouldn't elsewhere.

 

[DelayRepay]

But our fares are more expensive in the South East to start with, so we are more deserving of a discount.

(Lights the touchpaper, stands back...)

 

[yorksrob]

But our fares are more expensive in the South East to start with, so we are more deserving of a discount.

(Lights the touchpaper, stands back...)

That depends on which route you look at, however, even if it were true, the Network Card exists to encourage people to cough up for discretionary travel that they otherwise wouldn't do, not to provide redistributive "justice" to residents in the South East.

 

[msussams]

I know I would use the train a lot more. If I had a railcard, like when I had my YP-Railcard. but with fares between Bristol and Birmingham being expensive without a railcard the train is out of the question

 

[hairyhandedfool]

I know I would use the train a lot more. If I had a railcard, like when I had my YP-Railcard. but with fares between Bristol and Birmingham being expensive without a railcard the train is out of the question

The main sticking point is that it is not how much more you travel that would be important to the railway, it would be how much extra revenue you bring in.

 

[msussams]

I Suppose, but certainly, I don't travel by train a lot because of the cost, whether one would make the difference up if the incentive was there is the big question - I certainly would use it more regularly than I do if I had one...

 

[yorksrob]

The main sticking point is that it is not how much more you travel that would be important to the railway, it would be how much extra revenue you bring in.

I believe when Railfuture looked at it, one of the key points was also money raised from the purchase of the railcards themselves.

 

[swapmeetpete]

The 16-25 railcard is the nearest we have to a national railcard for single people. If it's important enough to you, it's not too difficult to become a mature student for the purpose of applying for the card.

 

[msussams]

The 16-25 railcard is the nearest we have to a national railcard for single people. If it's important enough to you, it's not too difficult to become a mature student for the purpose of applying for the card.

Sadly, I can't afford £10,000 (near enough) a year JUST to get a railcard. Oh well, just have to wait til I'm 60. (33 years togo).

 

[hairyhandedfool]

I believe when Railfuture looked at it, one of the key points was also money raised from the purchase of the railcards themselves.

True, but even if the Railcard costs £100, the saving over the year (with no extra travel) could be much more than that for some people.

 

[CockneySparrow]

I personally think its fine as it is, down here we don't get cheap advance tickets as the trains are DOO, so the Network Card is worth it, if it become national dunno makes me think the advance tickets will increase to counteract the card where advance tickets are sold

 

[yorksrob]

I personally think its fine as it is, down here we don't get cheap advance tickets as the trains are DOO, so the Network Card is worth it, if it become national dunno makes me think the advance tickets will increase to counteract the card where advance tickets are sold

To be honest, there arent that many advanced fares for middle distance journeys up here either. And whilst we do have advanced on TPE, South West trains for example, hassome major flows with advanced fares, so I'm sure they're not the only ones in the NSE area.

 

[msussams]

I personally think its fine as it is, down here we don't get cheap advance tickets as the trains are DOO, so the Network Card is worth it, if it become national dunno makes me think the advance tickets will increase to counteract the card where advance tickets are sold

Sadly, No rail travel is cheap. Advance or Non-advance. Here in the SW If I stay in FGW area it works out the same as driving, If I went towards Birmingham etc the prices go up dramatically.

Maybe a railcard that only give discount to walk on fares?