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Network Railcard Second Passanger Starting Point

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tankmc

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Hello,

I have a network railcard and will be going from Downham Market to London.

Is it possible for a second passenger to start there journey at Cambridge using the Railcard which is in my name? I ask as they have a season ticket from Downham to Cambridge.

I know the terms say:

Additional accompanying passengers for whom discounted tickets are purchased must travel with the Railcard holder throughout the journey.

But as i am the main holder i will be doing the full journey with the accompanying passenger completing there full journey with me.

Thanks in advance
 
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LexyBoy

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Yes, certainly.

If you're both travelling from Downham Market, then no problem. If your companion is joining at Cambridge, then it would be advisable for you to meet them there in order to avoid the situation that their ticket is inspected there*.

*(Legally I think it's a grey area as there is no requirement to hold a valid ticket on the station, but entering the station with an invalid ticket would likely be seen as intent to travel).
 
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tankmc

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Yes, certainly.

If you're both travelling from Downham Market, then no problem. If your companion is joining at Cambridge, then it would be advisable for you to meet them there in order to avoid the situation that their ticket is inspected there*.

*(Legally I think it's a grey area as there is no requirement to hold a valid ticket on the station, but entering the station with an invalid ticket would likely be seen as intent to travel).

Great. Yes we will be both travelling from DOW - KGX but my ticket will be the full journey with his ticket from Cambridge as he has a season ticket.

Thankyou for your response! :)
 

Hadders

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If the OP's friend was travelling from Cambridge he could use his season ticket to access the station.
 

Be3G

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*(Legally I think it's a grey area as there is no requirement to hold a valid ticket on the station, but entering the station with an invalid ticket would likely be seen as intent to travel).

Could the purchase of a platform ticket help alleviate the greyness, or would there still be a tiny grey area of legality in the short amount of time between stepping off the platform (on to the train) and finding the person who holds the railcard?

(Not of consequence to the OP I realise, but it's an interesting issue.)
 

LexyBoy

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Could the purchase of a platform ticket help alleviate the greyness, or would there still be a tiny grey area of legality in the short amount of time between stepping off the platform (on to the train) and finding the person who holds the railcard?

I don't think it would make a difference - in neither case does the companion hold a valid travel ticket until they meet up with the Railcard holder. But IMO the situation would only be the same as if the Railcard holder had gone off to the loo or buffet at the time of inspection.
 

DaveNewcastle

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. . . . .
*(Legally I think it's a grey area as there is no requirement to hold a valid ticket on the station, but entering the station with an invalid ticket would likely be seen as intent to travel).
For the offence to be complete, the joining passenger would have to:
a) attempt to travel, AND
b) have not paid their fare before boarding (or had their fare paid for them), AND
c) demonstrate an intention to avoid payment, WHICH in turn, requires them to have acted in such as manner as any reasonable person would have foreseen that their actions would be likely to result in non-payment.

In the event that Railcard discounted tickets are involved, then the Offence can arise during a ticket inspection if the Railcard is not presented; it may be requested at the point of purchase (failing to do so is not an offence), and during travel and at the place of arrival (where a failure to do so can contribute to an offence).

I understand that the passenger boarding at Cambridge will have paid their discounted fare before boarding, and they will be able to present the Railcard when requested during travel. In this scenario, it will be available for presentation during travel, and again at the point of arrival. I don't see that in the circumstances decscribed by tankmc that all of these conditions are fulfilled.
 

Romilly

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For the friend who, although travelling from Downham Market to London with the OP, already has a Downham Market-Cambridge season ticket, be careful if travelling to or from London Kings X not to buy them a Greater-Anglia-Only Cambridge-London ticket.
 

clagmonster

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Is the Downham Market - Cambridge season issued as a gold card? If it is, is there any reason why the holder can't simply pay the gold card discounted fare from Cambridge to London, which will surely be equal to the Network Railcard discounted fare.
 
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