All Line Rover: Date Matrix

David Goddard · 25th June 2012, 21:54

As posted elsewhere, we are a few days into a 14 day All Line Rover.
When we bought the tickets, the system also printed date matrix cards.
I have had these before with a 3in7 day rover (makes sense) but could not understand why we got them with an ALR, which is clearly for consecutive days as marked on the ticket itself.
My question here is- whats the point??

We managed to travel on sixteen trains on Saturday and Sunday until we boarded a train at Exeter when the conductor very abruptly asked to see the date matrix cards. We then had to sit and fill in the dates to keep her quiet.

Got through all of today without needing them either, so clearly can't universally required.

Brucey · 25th June 2012, 21:57

It appears to be an issue with FGW's ticket issuing equipment at the moment. Not sure whether other TOCs are also affected, but I've heard many reports relating to FGW.

rail-britain · 25th June 2012, 22:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Goddard

We managed to travel on sixteen trains on Saturday and Sunday until we boarded a train at Exeter when the conductor very abruptly asked to see the date matrix cards. We then had to sit and fill in the dates to keep her quiet

Complain to FGW, that is not required with this ticket
What would be the point of filling in the dates?
I suspect FGW have applied this as they don't agree to the way in which the ticket is printed, the dates of validity are not obvious

David Goddard · 26th June 2012, 22:33

Thanks for the comments both. You rightly worked out that we bought them from FGW - Reading in actual fact.
I will raise this with FGW when we get back.
Was asked to see the dates twice today - this time on ATW - but much more politely too. When we said about it to the second inspector, they realised what we meant and said that they fully agreed. Why the need to mark 14 days when only 14 are available?

Techniquest · 26th June 2012, 22:56

You get it with day rangers on FGW too, which makes absolutely no sense!

Gerald Fiennes · 27th June 2012, 06:10

I got an All Line Rover on Saturday from East Coast and it didn't have a date card. And I also got a very friendly 'thank you very much, Sir' from the ticket office staff!

Sleepy · 27th June 2012, 18:51

At my TOC you might get a big kiss from the guards if you buy an All Line Rover !! LOL

bb21 · 27th June 2012, 18:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sleepy

At my TOC you might get a big kiss from the guards if you buy an All Line Rover !! LOL

This would presumably happen with any TOC. It would be a quite hefty commission.

Well, maybe not some EMT guards if my experience is anything to go by.

island · 27th June 2012, 21:17

I understand some TOCs may have informed on-train staff that they are not to sell ALRs because they're afraid they might have been bought with stolen credit cards.

Techniquest · 27th June 2012, 23:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by bb21

This would presumably happen with any TOC. It would be a quite hefty commission.

Well, maybe not some EMT guards if my experience is anything to go by.

What level of commission would one receive on a 14 day Standard ALR? Hopefully a reasonable amount to have made the young lady's day when she sold me mine recently.

RJ · 28th June 2012, 01:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by bb21

This would presumably happen with any TOC. It would be a quite hefty commission.

Well, maybe not some EMT guards if my experience is anything to go by.

Anything up to a day's wages presumably! Some LM staff are on 5% for the first 100 tickets sold then 10% for everything else.

As for EMT's guards, I don't ever give them any money, even when they tell me I have to to remain on the train

GRALISTAIR · 28th June 2012, 01:57

Bloody hell- I did not think you could buy All Line Rovers anymore. OMG they bring back wonderful memories. What do they cost?

Deerfold · 28th June 2012, 12:57

Sorry, system didn't like my post.

bb21 · 28th June 2012, 16:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by GRALISTAIR

Bloody hell- I did not think you could buy All Line Rovers anymore. OMG they bring back wonderful memories. What do they cost?

Comes in two versions - 14 days or 7 days.

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_...4/details.html

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_...e/details.html

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJ

Anything up to a day's wages presumably! Some LM staff are on 5% for the first 100 tickets sold then 10% for everything else.

So if you sold 100 local tickets for the day and then someone comes along to buy an ALR, you'll be laughing.

(OK, I don't literally mean you but one of those in the group you mentioned.)

Brucey · 28th June 2012, 18:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJ

Anything up to a day's wages presumably! Some LM staff are on 5% for the first 100 tickets sold then 10% for everything else.

"Err, sorry Sir, could I sell another 6 tickets before I print your All Line Rover?"

25th June 2012, 21:54	#1
David Goddard Member Join Date: 8 Aug 2011 Location: Reading Posts: 491	All Line Rover: Date Matrix As posted elsewhere, we are a few days into a 14 day All Line Rover. When we bought the tickets, the system also printed date matrix cards. I have had these before with a 3in7 day rover (makes sense) but could not understand why we got them with an ALR, which is clearly for consecutive days as marked on the ticket itself. My question here is- whats the point?? We managed to travel on sixteen trains on Saturday and Sunday until we boarded a train at Exeter when the conductor very abruptly asked to see the date matrix cards. We then had to sit and fill in the dates to keep her quiet. Got through all of today without needing them either, so clearly can't universally required. __________________ Owner of 150103 (first kop) and 47406 (The original "Rail Riders" locomotive)

26th June 2012, 22:33	#4
David Goddard Member Join Date: 8 Aug 2011 Location: Reading Posts: 491	Thanks for the comments both. You rightly worked out that we bought them from FGW - Reading in actual fact. I will raise this with FGW when we get back. Was asked to see the dates twice today - this time on ATW - but much more politely too. When we said about it to the second inspector, they realised what we meant and said that they fully agreed. Why the need to mark 14 days when only 14 are available? __________________ Owner of 150103 (first kop) and 47406 (The original "Rail Riders" locomotive)

26th June 2012, 22:56	#5
Techniquest Optare Basher Established Member Join Date: 19 Jun 2005 Location: Nowhere Heath Posts: 7,797	You get it with day rangers on FGW too, which makes absolutely no sense! __________________ Why not have a look at my trip reports? Latest one: Netherlands Bash/The Three Countries

25th June 2012, 21:57	#2
Brucey Just a Passenger Member Join Date: 7 Jan 2010 Posts: 458	It appears to be an issue with FGW's ticket issuing equipment at the moment. Not sure whether other TOCs are also affected, but I've heard many reports relating to FGW.

27th June 2012, 06:10	#6
Gerald Fiennes Member Join Date: 7 Jan 2009 Posts: 43	I got an All Line Rover on Saturday from East Coast and it didn't have a date card. And I also got a very friendly 'thank you very much, Sir' from the ticket office staff!

27th June 2012, 18:51	#7
Sleepy TOC MD Member Join Date: 15 Feb 2009 Location: East Anglia Posts: 184	At my TOC you might get a big kiss from the guards if you buy an All Line Rover !! LOL

27th June 2012, 21:17	#9
island I'm from M390 Established Member Join Date: 30 Dec 2010 Location: SE12 Posts: 5,597	I understand some TOCs may have informed on-train staff that they are not to sell ALRs because they're afraid they might have been bought with stolen credit cards.

28th June 2012, 01:57	#12
GRALISTAIR GRALISTAIR Member Join Date: 11 Apr 2012 Location: Kansas City, Missouri USA Posts: 153	Bloody hell- I did not think you could buy All Line Rovers anymore. OMG they bring back wonderful memories. What do they cost?

28th June 2012, 12:57	#13
Deerfold Established Member Join Date: 26 Nov 2009 Location: Yorkshire, working in London, getting a lot of trains Posts: 3,561	Sorry, system didn't like my post.