Splitting tickets to be banned?

[whole diary]

[Tim]

Now that the Conditions of Carriage doesn't come in a printed format it is quite easy for ATOC^» (Association of Train Operating Companies See - here) to change it.

But wouldn't the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) need to agree any changes?

[moonrakerz]

Does anyone have any credible source as to where this 'rumour' originated?

If this "rumour" had a credible source, surely it wouldn't be a rumour then, but a fact 

[Ollie]

Now that the Conditions of Carriage doesn't come in a printed format it is quite easy for ATOC^» (Association of Train Operating Companies See - here) to change it.

But wouldn't the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) need to agree any changes?

Don't know the full rules for it to be honest.

We just got told that we wouldn't be provided printed copies anymore as all going online, which makes it easier to change. You would hope that some form of consultation needs to be done..

[Tim]

Now that the Conditions of Carriage doesn't come in a printed format it is quite easy for ATOC^» (Association of Train Operating Companies See - here) to change it.

But wouldn't the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) need to agree any changes?

Don't know the full rules for it to be honest.

We just got told that we wouldn't be provided printed copies anymore as all going online, which makes it easier to change. You would hope that some form of consultation needs to be done..

IIRC^▸ (if I recall/remember/read correctly) they have only been changed once since privatisiation (the contentious issue there was clarification that tcikets remained the property of the TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company) - there was a lot of fuss over whether this would prevent people keeping them for expenses claims, but the change was only done to prevent TOCs being accused of theft when their barriers retained tickets).  There was a consulation process then and I think that although the revision was driven by ATOC the department had the final say.  I can't see Adonis being sympathetic to ATOC on the split ticket issue after what he said about ATOC and the all line rover.   But he might not be arround for long and ATOC might get changes past a clueless tory who is new in the job and hasn't travlled by train before.  So passenger lobbying might be important. 

[matt473]

I think the main problem would be that ATOC^» (Association of Train Operating Companies See - here) could easily argue that Split Ticketing is not in the interests of the railway as it can cause confusion that buying tickets from A-C spliting at Bis cheaper than going direct from A-B herefore it is in the best interests of the passengers to remove this option. We all know this would of course be a lie but it could be a case of ATOC knows best.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Does anyone have any credible source as to where this 'rumour' originated?

If this "rumour" had a credible source, surely it wouldn't be a rumour then, but a fact 

Point taken: my clumsy wording.

What I meant was, did this suggestion of possibly 'banning split tickets' originate from somewhere within the rail industry (for example, in a company e-mail or official document), or was it a case of, 'Oh, I overheard someone down the pub saying this, so it must be true'.

Lies, damned lies ... and rumours? 

[inspector_blakey]

I assume that the (admittedly supine) Passenger Focus would have to be consulted before any changes to the CoC^▸ (Chamber of Commerce TBA) - I'm pretty sure there are safeguards built into the system to avoid ATOC^» (Association of Train Operating Companies See - here) meddling with them to the significant detriment of the passenger.

[ChrisB]

No consultation needed - they get approval from the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) and errr, change it.

Actually, I'm not sure they even need approval from DfT.

[unfarepayingpassenger]

I have split season tickets:
Swindon - Didcot Parkway
Didcot Parkway - Reading

This has the added advantage of guaranteeing I get a Gold Card, which is generally only available if your season ticket is wholly within the old Network South East area. (But if you renew/get a replacement within the area they may give you a gold card).
It saves me ^372 compared to the Swindon - Reading ticket. It does limit me, but most trains do stop at Didcot. FGW^▸ (First Great Western) claimed to have met their performance & reliability targets last year, so there was not a renewal discount. This made the decision for me. I renew in October so I was hit by the January 2009 rise of 6%

[Chris from Nailsea]

Welcome to the Coffee Shop forum, unfarepayingpassenger! 

[Btline]

I have split season tickets:
Swindon - Didcot Parkway
Didcot Parkway - Reading

This has the added advantage of guaranteeing I get a Gold Card, which is generally only available if your season ticket is wholly within the old Network South East area. (But if you renew/get a replacement within the area they may give you a gold card).
It saves me ^372 compared to the Swindon - Reading ticket. It does limit me, but most trains do stop at Didcot. FGW^▸ (First Great Western) claimed to have met their performance & reliability targets last year, so there was not a renewal discount. This made the decision for me. I renew in October so I was hit by the January 2009 rise of 6%

Must be a pain if a train turns up that doesn't call at Didcot! (esp during disruption)

[Mookiemoo]

It does limit me, but most trains do stop at Didcot.

But if you have a season the train does NOT have to stop at the station....... only if you have a normal ticket.  If you have a season and want to split the train only has to pas through the station

[grahame]

It does limit me, but most trains do stop at Didcot.

But if you have a season the train does NOT have to stop at the station....... only if you have a normal ticket.  If you have a season and want to split the train only has to pas through the station

I believe the rule is if ONE is a season ticket and the other is NOT ... but I may be wrong on that.  The idea being that split season tickets and split normal tickets are frowned upon, but if you want to extend a journey outside your normal season range, that's OK.

P.S.  Welcome to the forum, unfarepayingpassenger ... funny you should be posting about the weird fare system and strange rules 

[TheLastMinute]

Not if they are both season tickets, as in this case.

19. Using a combination of tickets
You may use two or more tickets for one journey as long as together they cover the entire journey and one of the following applies:
(a) they are both Zonal Tickets (unless special conditions prohibit their use);
(b) the train you are in calls at a station where you change from one ticket to another; or
(c) one of the tickets is a Season Ticket (which for this purpose does not include Season Tickets or travel passes issued on behalf of a passenger transport executive or local authority) or a leisure travel pass, and the other ticket(s) is/are not.

Edit: Pipped to the post... again!

[Mookiemoo]

I stand corrected