No ticket available !

[whole diary]

[moonrakerz]

No you cant do that anymore.  The new fares system does not let you make up fares in this way.  If it is not in the database then you cannot sell it. 

That was the impression I got when I spoke the clerk in Warminster - if it didn't exist, then he couldn't sell it !

My advice would be to sit in first class and then ask nicely for an up grade when the TM^▸ (Train Manager, or Ticket Machine, or Temple Meads (Bristol), depending on context) comes around.  When they find that there isn't one they will probably let you sit there anyway. 

To be honest, that was the thought in the back of my mind. If the station couldn't sell me a ticket, I couldn't really see how the Ticket Inspector could. Would the "system" let him impose a Penalty Fare without issuing some sort of ticket with it ? There must be a paper trail with this, otherwise penalties could be issued, literally, for nothing - or disgruntled passengers would certainly claim that !
The very worst I could see happening, was being asked/told to move.

I will still ask at Westbury before I buy the tickets though!

[devon_metro]

The chances of being pfd are low anyway! The TM^▸ (Train Manager, or Ticket Machine, or Temple Meads (Bristol), depending on context) isn't even likely to check your ticket till after Pewsey as they need to be at the back of the train at Westbury incase the signal is on and SDO^▸ (Selective Door Opening) is required.

[paul7575]

How about sending an email to FGW^▸ (First Great Western) asking them to create the fare - it might be a simple oversight.
Quoting the shorter journeys mentioned earlier might help.

Paul

[Tim]

I am confused.

Is it that the fare exists (applying the 150% formula) but that the ticketing facicities used do no allow it to be issued or is it that the fare does not exist?

Has the 150% rule been repealed or has it just fallen out of use because the current ticketing machines can't handle it?
 

[Chris from Nailsea]

I rather get the impression that it's a problem with the technology.  If that particular fare is not programmed into the ticket machines (whether it should be or not), there is apparently no facility for a human operator to over-ride it, insert the appropriate amount, and sell such a ticket. 

[Ollie]

Have sent a link to this topic to a colleague in fares department, will let you know response when I get one.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Brilliant!  Thanks, Ollie! 

[Ollie]

From my colleague:

"if there is no first class fare listed for a particular journey, then you issue a manual fare multiplying the standard class fare by 1.5. If he wants something in writing to show a member of staff in a booking office, advise him to contact customer services."

[moonrakerz]

Have been away for a few days, just catching up !

Many thanks for that, Ollie.