New Railcard 'Two Together' trialling soon.

[whole diary]

[JayMac]

This new Railcard will be available from 5th September in the West Midlands as an initial trial. It will offer the usual 34% discount on most Standard Class ticket types as well as 1st and Standard Class Advance Purchase for travel across the GB^▸ (Great Britain) rail network. Discounts are not available for trains departing between 0430-0930 Monday-Friday. No time restrictions on Weekends or Bank Holidays. Cost will be ^28 a year.

Use of this Railcard is strictly only by the two named and photographed persons, who must travel together at all times.

Whilst the Railcard is initially only being sold at staffed stations within the postcode areas of Birmingham (B), Coventry (CV), Dudley (DY), Walsall (WS) and Wolverhampton (WV) there appears to be no issue with people from outside those areas purchasing one. I've checked the retail guidance issued to staff and there is no requirement to provide proof of residence. All that is said is:

The First Cardholder should live within the trial area postcodes but ticket offices do not need to check the validity of the address on the application form. The marketing material states that people should live within the trial area.

Once purchased the Railcard can be used to purchase discounted tickets from any National Rail ticket office throughout Great Britain.

ATOC^» (Association of Train Operating Companies See - here) say this a trial with limited duration, to assess demand, gain feedback and carry out research.

[Ollie]

Whilst don't have to prove to ticket office - the address you put down needs to be in the area. Ticket office just doesn't need to have proof that it is your address.

[JayMac]

Agreed. I'll not be needing one, but if I did and was in Brum for the day, it wouldn't be too difficult to make up an address, say of a nearby hotel.....

[LiskeardRich]

Once purchased the Railcard can be used to purchase discounted tickets from any National Rail ticket office throughout Great Britain.

although states  can buy from any ticket office, can it be used for any routes, or just routes in the midlands areas mentioned

[JayMac]

You will be able to purchase Railcard discounted 'walk-up' tickets for any Standard Class National Rail journey as well as any 1st Class or Standard Class Advance Purchase.

[LiskeardRich]

so  potentially every family who travel together regularly could pop in to birmingham ticket office, give a random address in the local area of a friend or relative and get one of these cards to say use regularly on say a penzance to Plymouth journey?

[JayMac]

Families would be better off with a Family & Friends Railcard. This new trial Railcard is for two people who regularly travel together. Ideal one assumes for married/cohabiting couples or two friends.

And yes, I'll say it again. The railcard is valid for any Standard Class National Rail (or Std and 1st AP) journey subject only to the time restrictions. And issuing staff are not required to check proof of residence during the trial.

[ChrisB]

Ok, that removes the kids requirement...now the only 'combination' duscriminated against is the solo traveller!

[Timmer]

now the only 'combination' duscriminated against is the solo traveller!

Absolutely. What about a solo traveller railcard for those of us who do often travel solo?

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

while i agree a national railcard for people without disability's,kids, or being a certain age should be available .... i dont think that this is the best solution

[paul7575]

Would it be more straightforward to have a Groupsave Two fare?

(Apart from the difficulty of getting XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) to accept it of couse...)

Paul

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

i just love the idea of two people following eachother everywhere :-)

[grahame]

now the only 'combination' duscriminated against is the solo traveller!

Absolutely. What about a solo traveller railcard for those of us who do often travel solo?

Reminds me of a pub in Plymouth ...



What I would like is a nice simple "anyone can buy" loyalty card - pay x per year and get y% off rail tickets.  It would certainly persuade me to use the train rather than driving in a number of cases where the decision is finely balanced.

[bobm]

Single travellers are always on a short straw.  Think of hotel rooms and single supplements. 

[Rhydgaled]

Would it be more straightforward to have a Groupsave Two fare?

(Apart from the difficulty of getting XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) to accept it of couse...)

Paul

Not just XC, Arriva Trains Wales don't do Groupsave either as far as I know. I don't think Groupsave is readily apparent enough, for example I don't think the East Coast website booking system includes that option. Traveling with certain combinations of passengers on non-Arriva services can sometimes render the Family & Friends railcard redundant if the passengers know about Groupsave.