RTV validity for PlusBus

[Leisurefirst]

Hi there,
Had a Rail Travel Voucher literally chucked back at me today at Glasgow Central when trying to use it as part payment for a PlusBus ticket.
I didn't hear an explanation and asked if I could use it and was just told "no".
Assume this was because it is a bus ticket though not sure that is of any relevance particularly as I used one last month at Sheffield similarly with no such problem.
Can anybody advise please?
I'll try and use it tomorrow for my train ticket if there is a ticket office (or if I buy it in advance today which I am reluctant to do in case my plans change).

 

[ainsworth74]

No reason that an RTV shouldn't be accepted for payment at a ticket office for a PlusBus that I can think of as RTV can be used for payment of all ticket types. Unfortunately it would seem like you had an unhelpful ticket clerk.

Back in the day you even used to be able to use them on-board to purchase things from the buffet!

 

[Haywain]

A Rail Travel Voucher can be used as (full/part) payment for any product sold at a ticket office or on board including buffet products if they are not card only.

 

[Wolfie]

Some ticket office clerks have very strange views/beliefs. A while ago I had one refuse a RTV because it was issued by London Midland and he worked for another TOC....

 

[Leisurefirst]

Some ticket office clerks have very strange views/beliefs. A while ago I had one refuse a RTV because it was issued by London Midland and he worked for another TOC....

Oh yeah, there was much discussion at Stratford International a few months ago as I was trying to use a Thameslink RTV.
I find them very difficult to use (especially £10 ones) as I mostly buy online in advance for anything that much, use Oyster in London and even when I can use them get strange things happen like at a London Terminus took so long I paid cash/card instead so people behind wouldn't miss the train.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Aug 2023 ==

No reason that an RTV shouldn't be accepted for payment at a ticket office for a PlusBus that I can think of as RTV can be used for payment of all ticket types. Unfortunately it would seem like you had an unhelpful ticket clerk.

Back in the day you even used to be able to use them on-board to purchase things from the buffet!

Thanks, thought as much.
Surprised there as everybody is normally so friendly and lovely.

 

[Wallsendmag]

Why ask for them then?

 

[Leisurefirst]

Why ask for them then?

I didn't.
They got sent to me as compensation for being stranded by Thameslink in the middle of the night and having to get a taxi and again by Thameslink when their Delay Repay system couldn't handle a split ticket journey correctly.
I had no choice in it.
Thanks though.

 

[Wallsendmag]

OK fair enough

 

[James H]

I used a GTR-issued RTV as part payment for a PlusBus at Waterloo ticket office on Tuesday night.

(I didn't ask for RTVs but like the poster above it was a result of being pushed from pillar to post by GTR's inadequate customer services setup)

 

[MrJeeves]

This is essentially the only reason I get RTVs, too. Got £30 once as an apology for unreliable RRBs and DR claims being rejected 3 times in a row for it.

Only difference is that I rinsed out my local GTR station's cash drawer by exchanging them for notes instead!

 

[Leisurefirst]

I used a GTR-issued RTV as part payment for a PlusBus at Waterloo ticket office on Tuesday night.

(I didn't ask for RTVs but like the poster above it was a result of being pushed from pillar to post by GTR's inadequate customer services setup)

Thanks.
It appears I just got the wrong person!
I said that I'd got (the voucher) when I asked for the ticket but they just kind of launched it back through the window at me and when I then asked if I could put it towards it in case there was some misunderstanding just got flatly told no.

 

[James H]

At Waterloo the clerk passed the RTV back to me to fill in the details on the back.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

At Waterloo the clerk passed the RTV back to me to fill in the details on the back.

That's not particularly unusual, is it?

 

[James H]

I just mentioned it in case there had been a misunderstanding with the OP when they described the how Glasgow clerk "just kind of launched it back through the window"

 

[redreni]

After using Avanti's online delay repay form once where the company, with characteristic care, had configured its website to refresh the page without submitting the form, obliterating the information already entered, if the user had rejected all but necessary cookies, I adopted a policy of using paper forms where available. They're just as easy for me to fill in, I know I'll be able to submit them and frankly, I don't care about the train company's processing costs. I prefer cheque but will take RTVs where cheques aren't offered.

It is amazing how variable the reactions can be when you proffer them as part-payment at a ticket office, though. As you say, it's a good idea not to try and spend them when the ticket office is busy. Last time I handed one over the clerk looked at me as if a small but perfectly formed elderberry tree had just grown out of the bridge of my nose, but in fairness he did manage to find a colleague who walked him through the rather fiddly process of accepting it.

 

[Leisurefirst]

I just mentioned it in case there had been a misunderstanding with the OP when they described the how Glasgow clerk "just kind of launched it back through the window"

I got you, wasn't that unfortunately.
No, it fair flew!
FWIW the PlusBus ticket request didn't go down particularly well either!