Legislation on requirement to sell cheapest fares?

[cakehoover]

Hi all

Can anyone provide a link to the legislation, or regulation, that requires ticket clerks to sell the cheapest fares available for a particular journey?

Just interested in reading the underlying legislation, can't find it on the internet.

Thanks!

 

[cool110]

That would be the Ticketing & Settlement Agreement (TSA)

 

[cakehoover]

Great thanks! Any idea which section?

Thought I might find it in "RESTRICTIONS ON THE SALE OF FARES" in Main Agreement but can't see anything in there.

Searching for "cheapest", "lower price", "clerks" etc doesn't bring anything up either... Probably just being dim.

 

[cool110]

It's in 6-30 "THE IMPARTIALITY OBLIGATION". The actual requirement is not to sell the cheapest fare but the most suitable one based on 7 points including price.

 

[First class]

There is no legislation or law.

That agreement is between the Train Operating Companies, not the passengers.

A TOC can "breach" the TSA, and the customer has no recourse, as long as they still comply with NRCoC.

 

[NSEFAN]

Googling around, I have found these guidelines from National Rail which seem to imply that the requirement to sell the cheapest fare for a customer's journey are more to do with Consumer Protection Regulations (CPRs) than the TSA. The NR guidelines seem to be saying that there is no explicit requirement to sell the cheapest ticket, but deliberately not informing a passenger of a cheaper option would potentially be a breach of the CPRs.

 

[RJ]

Somebody came to my window a few weeks ago claiming the government had issued a directive ordering people like me to stop overcharging customers. He wanted a Zone 1-2 Travelcard and was adamant it was available and offered by the TVM.

I offered him a Zone 1-4 Travelcard, but he complained that I was overcharging him. Not a lot I could do really but I did wonder what this "government directive" was.

 

[cakehoover]

Thanks all.

I was sure I'd read in the newspapers that clerks were obliged by law to sell the cheapest fare available for the passenger's journey destination and time.

However, perhaps this isn't the case?

 

[cool110]

There isn't a law that directly requires the cheapest fare to be sold. However byelaw 21 prohibits the sale of tickets by anyone other than an authorised person, who would be subject to the TSA.

 

[NSEFAN]

I was sure I'd read in the newspapers that clerks were obliged by law to sell the cheapest fare available for the passenger's journey destination and time.

However, perhaps this isn't the case?

I think the public perception of the legal requirements got muddled up in the FUD a while back, when the concept of split ticketing made it to the pages of the Daily Wibble. I also recall hearing that "the government would make the train companies offer the cheapest fare" but this may of course be a half truth, either from the press or the government.

 

[LexyBoy]

A TOC can "breach" the TSA, and the customer has no recourse, as long as they still comply with NRCoC.

Not directly perhaps, but customer could contact their MP and/or the Minister for Transport to tell them that TOC X is not adhering to the TSA. Surely there must be penalties for not adhering to it (other than revokation of "authorised seller" status, which in the case of a TOC would be an empty threat), otherwise it's a bit pointless?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I was sure I'd read in the newspapers that clerks were obliged by law to sell the cheapest fare available for the passenger's journey destination and time.

As said above, that's not exactly what is said, but in most cases it will boil down to that. The ticket sold should the cheapest ticket between the stated stations which is valid for the journey requested.

In my opinion, but I don't think it's a requirement, if the clerk is in doubt as to whether a (cheaper) ticket would be valid, he should seek clarification from the customer until satisfied that the ticket would or would not be appropriate.

 

[Haywain]

If a TOC was obliged to sell the cheapest fare, they would be overwhelmed with complaints from people who wished to travel by a faster or more direct route, or at peak times, or even in 1st class. However, TOCs are required to be impartial and to advise customers of all of the options that are relevant to the journey being made. For the most part this is achieved by simple questions, such as, "Do you want to travel on a direct train?", "Are you travelling now?", and "Fast or slow train?" Someone who tels the clerk that they want the next train because they are in a hurry cannot really complain if they are not told about the cheaper train in 2 hours time.

 

[matt_world2004]

Anyone know how Heathrow airport holdings get around this rule. Underground is barely mentioned and it claims there are no London bus services to London from the airport which is a fricken lie.

 

[bb21]

Because they are a private operator and not subject to the TSA and NRCoC.

 

[transmanche]

Not a lot I could do really but I did wonder what this "government directive" was.

There was a news report at the turn of the year, about a code of practice "designed to help travellers get the best deal possible" following a summit called by the rail minister, Claire Perry.

But the headline "Rail passengers are to be told if they can get cheaper tickets for their journeys..." was probably translated into a government 'directive' on your punter's mind.