ServerHoster
Member
The other day I did a Southern DaySave Group ticket with 3 other people (so 4 in total) for a total price of £50.00.
We bought it on the Southern website and collected it from a Southeastern ticket machine at Victoria (we were in a rush, and we just followed the signs for "ticket machines", which took us to the SE machines.)
At most ticket checks (onboard staff or at gatelines) our ticket was questioned, particularly because the machine had only printed one piece of card, yet they were expecting to see 4 individual tickets (one per person). According to the ticket collection receipt, there is only meant to be one piece of card printed. One staff member onboard our train to Bognor Regis was a bit dubious of our ticket, but he looked up our collection reference number on his iPad to confirm that it was only meant to print 1 ticket, he was very friendly and helpful once he understood the situation and realised we weren't trying to fare dodge.
Another issue which a member of On Trak barrier staff at Gatwick raised, was the fact that the ticket says "group" on it, but does not say the number of people it can be used for, so was reluctant to let us through until we showed our booking confirmation which stated 4 people.
So what I want to ask is, is it meant to print only one ticket or 4? My guess is that it is indeed meant to be only one ticket, but staff member's weren't aware of this fact, so assumed "4 people should have 4 tickets". One of the other people in the group suggested that if we used a Southern ticket machine instead of Southeastern, then maybe it would've printed properly - but don't they have the same ticket machine supplier?
And maybe GTR could make it clearer that this is a day ticket valid for 4 people, because except for the word "group" at the top, you can't really tell! Or, maybe training their staff better, to ensure that they understand that one ticket is valid for the whole group
I was very pleased with my Southern DaySave Group ticket, it's a brilliant little ticket especially for people like me from up north who can explore some of the railways at the opposite end of the country for a good price. I would love to do one again, but I don't really want to go through the faff of having to explain what it is to each and every staff member who checks our ticket.
I've sent an email to GTR basically stating all of the above, and asked for it to be forwarded to the fares/pricing team as they probably have the expertise to answer in greater detail/accuracy.
I've attached my ticket, collection reference, and booking confirmation (all personal details censored) I don't know how to do ALT text on this forum, but:
Image 1: screenshot of Southern app, stating: "Any Southern Train, Saturday 1st Feb 2025. London Victoria to Any Southern Train. 4 Adults. Southern DaySave Group Off Peak".
Image 2: a picture of the ticket, stating: "Southern DaySave Group Off Peak, between London Victoria and Any Southern Train. Valid only on Southern services. Start date 01-FBY-25, valid until 01-FBY-25. Validity, see restrictions nre.co.uk/DS. Adult Standard Class, £50.00". And the collection receipt, stating: "Description 1 coupon. Value £50.00. Issuing office London Victoria. Date of sale 29-JNR-25. Not valid for travel. Customer copy.
We bought it on the Southern website and collected it from a Southeastern ticket machine at Victoria (we were in a rush, and we just followed the signs for "ticket machines", which took us to the SE machines.)
At most ticket checks (onboard staff or at gatelines) our ticket was questioned, particularly because the machine had only printed one piece of card, yet they were expecting to see 4 individual tickets (one per person). According to the ticket collection receipt, there is only meant to be one piece of card printed. One staff member onboard our train to Bognor Regis was a bit dubious of our ticket, but he looked up our collection reference number on his iPad to confirm that it was only meant to print 1 ticket, he was very friendly and helpful once he understood the situation and realised we weren't trying to fare dodge.
Another issue which a member of On Trak barrier staff at Gatwick raised, was the fact that the ticket says "group" on it, but does not say the number of people it can be used for, so was reluctant to let us through until we showed our booking confirmation which stated 4 people.
So what I want to ask is, is it meant to print only one ticket or 4? My guess is that it is indeed meant to be only one ticket, but staff member's weren't aware of this fact, so assumed "4 people should have 4 tickets". One of the other people in the group suggested that if we used a Southern ticket machine instead of Southeastern, then maybe it would've printed properly - but don't they have the same ticket machine supplier?
And maybe GTR could make it clearer that this is a day ticket valid for 4 people, because except for the word "group" at the top, you can't really tell! Or, maybe training their staff better, to ensure that they understand that one ticket is valid for the whole group
I was very pleased with my Southern DaySave Group ticket, it's a brilliant little ticket especially for people like me from up north who can explore some of the railways at the opposite end of the country for a good price. I would love to do one again, but I don't really want to go through the faff of having to explain what it is to each and every staff member who checks our ticket.
I've sent an email to GTR basically stating all of the above, and asked for it to be forwarded to the fares/pricing team as they probably have the expertise to answer in greater detail/accuracy.
I've attached my ticket, collection reference, and booking confirmation (all personal details censored) I don't know how to do ALT text on this forum, but:
Image 1: screenshot of Southern app, stating: "Any Southern Train, Saturday 1st Feb 2025. London Victoria to Any Southern Train. 4 Adults. Southern DaySave Group Off Peak".
Image 2: a picture of the ticket, stating: "Southern DaySave Group Off Peak, between London Victoria and Any Southern Train. Valid only on Southern services. Start date 01-FBY-25, valid until 01-FBY-25. Validity, see restrictions nre.co.uk/DS. Adult Standard Class, £50.00". And the collection receipt, stating: "Description 1 coupon. Value £50.00. Issuing office London Victoria. Date of sale 29-JNR-25. Not valid for travel. Customer copy.
