50% Railcard discount for the Severn Beach Line?

[whole diary]

[Ollie]

A further update for you:

The correct fare with railcard discount is expected to be live by the end of the week.

Yippee. Breath still bated though.....

Feel free to let me know if it actually happens

[JayMac]

Here's the latest response from FGW^▸ (First Great Western):

Dear Mr ******

Thank you for your email of 30 June 2009 regarding the previous response you have received from this office. Firstly please accept my sincere apologies for the length of time it has taken to respond to your further comments, I have been liaising with my colleagues in head office to ascertain more information on this matter. They have confirmed that they are looking into this error and are working on rectifying the issue so the correct discount is offered and this should be updated on our systems by the start of next week. Please accept my apologies for the frustration this error has caused and I trust you will benefit from the correct discount in the future. Thank you once again for taking the time to bring this matter to our attention.

Yours sincerely
****** *****
Customer Services Team Manager

A reply from a manager no less. I'm honoured. Beginning to turn blue with the bated breath though . Still no mention of my enquiry re: refunding the difference between what I've paid since May 17th and the ammended fares. FGW seem to be ignoring that part of my enquiry...

[JayMac]

POWER TO THE PEOPLE! I have just checked a few online fares enquiries (NRES^▸ (National Rail Enquiry Service), FGW^▸ (First Great Western), NXEC^▸ (National Express East Coast), thetrainline.com) and, praise be! The 50% Railcard discount is now being applied to fares wholly on the Severn Beach Line. An anytime day return fare (SDR) to SVB from BRI^» (Bristol Temple Meads - next trains) now costs just ^1.50 for Railcard holders. 27 miles for ^1.50. Bargain

Thanks to Ollie for chasing this up and shame on super tm for doubting it was technically possible. 

[Ollie]

Glad it's worked out.

Do chase up the refund, if any issues give me a shout, as I have the e-mail from my colleague saying you are entitled to the difference back. (luckily you kept the tickets)

[JayMac]

Avantix^▸ (Ticket Issuing System used on board trains) onboard this morning, updated. Yippee, my SDR is now 50p cheaper. To quote a certain supermarket - 'Every Little Helps'
Of course, things can never be 100% perfect. On checking at BRI^» (Bristol Temple Meads - next trains) this morning, the FastTicket machines had not been updated! FujitsuSTAR had been at the ticket windows though. So the unwary (or unknowing) could still be overcharged. Ticket office staff seemed totally unconcerned when I pointed out the anomaly. Duty Station Manager simply referred me back to Customer Services suggesting I fill out a comment form. (Fair enough in this instance, me and this particular DSM have 'history').  But surely he could've got something sorted a darn sight quicker than me e-mailing CS yet again. I don't like moaning all the time; honest

[JayMac]

All sorted. FastTicket has now been corrected and a goodwill gesture is winging it's way towards me to cover the overcharging of the last two months.

Dear Mr ******

Thank you for your email of 20 July 2009 to ****** *****. She has asked me to reply on her behalf.  I am pleased to see that the correct discount is being applied on the train and at the Station, but concerned to see that the Ticket Vending Machine is not correct. I have reported this and will let you know the response I receive.  I agree a goodwill gesture is warranted and I will not therefore insist on the tickets being sent in. I have today arranged for a rail travel voucher for ^16.00 to be sent to you to cover the extra costs and this will be with you shortly.

Yours sincerely

**** *****
Customer Services