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Can you buy a 16-25 railcard at a station and use it the same day?!

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Conzy

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Hey there, this is a follow-up to my thread to http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=33781. I've ordered a 16-18 non-resident Oyster photocard and it's currently being processed, but I still need to get a 16-25 railcard. I'm wondering if I could go tomorrow, get a passport-style photograph taken in the photobooth there and then buy a railcard immediately and use it straight after? Is this possible or do you have to wait like 3 weeks?

Thanks in advance!

Conzy.
 
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142094

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The first time I bought one I was able to do this, the railcard has a peel back plastic layer on it, so when you insert the passport photo it is held in place. So as long as you have the form filled in correctly, a photo and the correct money there shouldn't be a problem.
 

bnm

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Don't forget to take along some proof of age!
 

Conzy

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The first time I bought one I was able to do this, the railcard has a peel back plastic layer on it, so when you insert the passport photo it is held in place. So as long as you have the form filled in correctly, a photo and the correct money there shouldn't be a problem.

Ah cool cool, thanks very much. Can you do this with a 16-18 Oyster non-resident photocard or do you have to apply and wait for 3 weeks?

I'll bring my mum with me to make sure everything goes smoothly but what can I use as proof of age? I have a BITE card but would I need my passport or anything?
 

bnm

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From the 16-25 Railcard website:

Verifying your identity.
If you're applying for the first time you'll need to bring:

  • Either your birth certificate
  • Or your passport
  • Or your driving licence
  • Or your International Student Identity Card (ISIC) card

We’re sorry, but NUS cards aren’t accepted as proof of age.
 

Conzy

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From the 16-25 Railcard website:

Okay thanks very much, I'll bring my passport. But you're sure I can just walk in, buy it and then use it straight away? Do I just hand it to them whilst buying my ticket by the way?
 

transportphoto

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Yep, All Railcards are valid from the Date of Issue until their Expiry Date.

So as long as all the necessary counter-parts are complete (e.g. Photo in Photocard and has been sealed) it fine for use.

In regards to how to buy RC discounted tickets -
Simply hold the RC where the agent can see it and tell them what you want (e.g. Single to London for DD/MM/YYYY) and then add "with a 16-25 RC" - just in case they are blind!
Or at TVM's select the 16-25 Railcard in the Railcard Menu.
Or online select the 16-25 Railcard from the Railcard (often drop down) menu!

 
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323235

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Yes you can definetly use it straight away, unless you do what I did last time when renewed at Oldham Mumps and asked for it to be dated for a week after purchase.

As for when your using it, all you need to do is show it to Ticket Office Staff,Guards,Revenue Protection Inspectors And to not forget to take it with you when travelling especially if you've bought tickets in advance.
 

Conzy

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Thanks so much guys, this forum is awesome.

Last question: can I get a 16-18 non-resident (Shenfield) Oyster photocard in a similar fashion or do I have to go through the long process of applying online and everything?
 

pemma

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Okay thanks very much, I'll bring my passport. But you're sure I can just walk in, buy it and then use it straight away? Do I just hand it to them whilst buying my ticket by the way?

People sometimes do this. However, at smaller stations if the station ticket office is very busy the ticket office person could refuse to sell you a railcard until the next train has gone.
 

wintonian

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And beware, at smaller stations in South West Trains land it's not uncommon for the ticket office to be closed due to staff shortages.
 

Scotty

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I lost my railcard once, and gave myself half an hour before a train I wanted to catch, to obtain a replacement (for the £5 (?) fee), however, the ticket office was closed.

I still managed to get my railcard discount through using a ticket machine, and the train staff allowed me to use it through the fact I had my previous railcard receipt (that I was going to use to get the replacement).

Did I get lucky, or would you expect to pay full fare on this occasion? I did then get the replacement at the next opportunity.
 

transportphoto

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People sometimes do this. However, at smaller stations if the station ticket office is very busy the ticket office person could refuse to sell you a railcard until the next train has gone.
No, they have to sell you what you ask for even if its a ticket for a journey from a different place to a different place (to the place you are buying from), or a railcard.

They are obliged to sell you what you want when you want it - unless there are advertised times where you (as the customer) can't buy it - e.g. Advance Tickets.
 

142094

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It would depend if you wanted to wanted to travel straightaway using the railcard, or were there only to renew/buy a railcard. I've seen it many times at York where the advance ticket part has been busy and someone has tried to renew their railcard at the Tickets for Today part, but have been told to wait until either the advance bookings section becomes free or there are no other passengers waiting for a ticket for immediate travel.
 

pemma

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I lost my railcard once, and gave myself half an hour before a train I wanted to catch, to obtain a replacement (for the £5 (?) fee), however, the ticket office was closed.

I still managed to get my railcard discount through using a ticket machine, and the train staff allowed me to use it through the fact I had my previous railcard receipt (that I was going to use to get the replacement).

Did I get lucky, or would you expect to pay full fare on this occasion? I did then get the replacement at the next opportunity.

That's lucky. Unless you had a railcard or 'permit to travel without a railcard' you aren't allowed to use a railcard discounted ticket.
 

b0b

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That's lucky. Unless you had a railcard or 'permit to travel without a railcard' you aren't allowed to use a railcard discounted ticket.

why was he lucky, he said the ticket office was closed?
 

b0b

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He was lucky because he had no railcard on his person. :)

why is the closed office rule different for railcards vs tickets then? it seems somewhat unfair, especially considering the OPs situation, where it seems like he genuinely attempted to rectify the situation.

What should have the OP done? travel without a ticket since the booking office was closed and he could not buy the ticket he required?
 

CarterUSM

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why is the closed office rule different for railcards vs tickets then? it seems somewhat unfair, especially considering the OPs situation, where it seems like he genuinely attempted to rectify the situation.

What should have the OP done? travel without a ticket since the booking office was closed and he could not buy the ticket he required?



No, technically he should have bought a full price ticket from the machine instead of the discounted one. I do agree however, that it seems a little unfair, but at the same time, it wasn't the railway that lost the railcard. To be frank, with buying the discounted ticket without a valid railcard, he left himself open to being further out of pocket by having to buy a full price ticket for the journey made. Having said all that, i'm pleased that everything turned out okay and without any further misfortune by the sound of it. :)
 

b0b

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No, technically he should have bought a full price ticket from the machine instead of the discounted one. I do agree however, that it seems a little unfair, but at the same time, it wasn't the railway that lost the railcard.

It is the railway that has the closed booking office preventing him from replacing the railcard.
 

CarterUSM

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It is the railway that has the closed booking office preventing him from replacing the railcard.



I see your point, but it doesn't make it okay to travel with a railcard discounted ticket and not holding a valid railcard. Fair or not, the conditions clearly state this.
 

pemma

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why is the closed office rule different for railcards vs tickets then? it seems somewhat unfair, especially considering the OPs situation, where it seems like he genuinely attempted to rectify the situation.

What should have the OP done? travel without a ticket since the booking office was closed and he could not buy the ticket he required?

With some operators in that situation if the ticket office was closed and there was a ticket machine that sold tickets he would have been penalty fared for not buying a valid ticket before he boarded - railcard renewal available or not.
 
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