Flexible seasons - the practicalities

[Fawkes Cat]

I'm starting this thread to consider the practicalities of using Flexi seasons. We've got another thread to consider whether the savings against day tickets - I'm hoping that this might give us a chance to share understanding and clarify how the things will actually work. And I have some questions which will help me decide if it works for me!

1) My commute starts on Merseyrail and ends at Manchester (so Northern or TPE or EMR). How well will Merseyrail cope with Smartcard tickets? I'm thinking both in terms of the rules (if I make a complaint will things be better next time?) and of practice (will I get through the gates at Liverpool Central or South Parkway without an argument?).

2) Again, with particular reference to Merseyrail but maybe more widely, how easy will it be to acquire a flexi-ticket (a) if there are no networked TVMs near by ,(b) if there are no TVMs from the company that you've bought the ticket from (example - buying from TPE might get me Nectar points - but where would I find a TPE machine if I need one to put the ticket on the card)?

All help gratefully received!

 

[janb]

As I replied in the other thread, the answer to 1) is,

Flexi Season tickets | Eight Flexible All-Day Tickets - Northern (northernrailway.co.uk)

Can I use Flexi Seasons on Merseyrail services?

Flexi Season tickets are not valid for travel on Merseyrail services. Tickets to Liverpool stations, will be available for sale, but will not be allowed for onward travel on Merseyrail services.

 

[Hadders]

If the Flexi season is routed 'Any Permitted or '.' then it can be used on Merseyrail if Merseyrail operate services over a permitted route. I could not guarantee a hassle free journey and Merseyrail might not like it but they cannot deny the use of Any Permitted tickets on their services.

 

[Watershed]

I'm starting this thread to consider the practicalities of using Flexi seasons. We've got another thread to consider whether the savings against day tickets - I'm hoping that this might give us a chance to share understanding and clarify how the things will actually work. And I have some questions which will help me decide if it works for me!

1) My commute starts on Merseyrail and ends at Manchester (so Northern or TPE or EMR). How well will Merseyrail cope with Smartcard tickets? I'm thinking both in terms of the rules (if I make a complaint will things be better next time?) and of practice (will I get through the gates at Liverpool Central or South Parkway without an argument?).

It will probably exactly the same as certain interavailable routes on the Underground - difficult and annoying. But if you are sold an Any Permitted Flexi Season ticket, it is valid to use on all operators, including Miseryrail. Certainly I'd be interested to know how else they propose you can travel to/from Bootle - ship from the pier head near James Street?

2) Again, with particular reference to Merseyrail but maybe more widely, how easy will it be to acquire a flexi-ticket (a) if there are no networked TVMs near by ,(b) if there are no TVMs from the company that you've bought the ticket from (example - buying from TPE might get me Nectar points - but where would I find a TPE machine if I need one to put the ticket on the card)?

All help gratefully received!

You will be able to buy a Flexi Season for fulfilment via barcode (e-ticket) or via Smartcard. If you choose the latter you will be able to load your Flexi Season to any compatible TOC smartcard, either at participating ticket offices, at certain ticket machines or via an app. You can activate a day's travel by touching the smartcard on any gateline, validator or via the app.

 

[35B]

How does the smartcard activation work at stations without gateline barriers?

 

[Watershed]

How does the smartcard activation work at stations without gateline barriers?

You use a validator or the app on your phone.

 

[Fawkes Cat]

you will be able to load your Flexi Season to any compatible TOC smartcard, either at participating ticket offices, at certain ticket machines or via an app

Do we have anything more on this yet? For example, what are 'certain ticket machines' (I'm reasonably certain that 'not Merseyrail' is part of the answer, but if I buy a flexi-season from TPE will I be able to load it from a Northern TVM, and vice-versa)? Will the app (on a phone?) require the phone to have NFC?

Many thanks for all comments so far: hopefully we can pool our knowledge and work out how to use this new product.

 

[35B]

You use a validator or the app on your phone.

And looking at the LNER website more closely, I notice that the flex ticket won't be available from them for a few weeks - which makes me wonder whether there will be a validator at my station.

 

[Wallsendmag]

And looking at the LNER website more closely, I notice that the flex ticket won't be available from them for a few weeks - which makes me wonder whether there will be a validator at my station.

LNER are retailing online via Northern currently and also retailing via the LNER Travel Centres. No Validators at our stations, either user a gateline at NCL,DAR,WKF,PBO and KGX or use the NR app

 

[717001]

You will be able to buy a Flexi Season for fulfilment via barcode (e-ticket) or via Smartcard. If you choose the latter you will be able to load your Flexi Season to any compatible TOC smartcard, either at participating ticket offices, at certain ticket machines or via an app. You can activate a day's travel by touching the smartcard on any gateline, validator or via the app.

Not all TOCs are offering both - the GN/TL/Southern website is only offering Flexi Seasons on The Key.

 

[skyhigh]

No Validators at our stations, either user a gateline at NCL,DAR,WKF,PBO and KGX or use the NR app

What about Leeds?

 

[Bletchleyite]

As I replied in the other thread, the answer to 1) is,

Flexi Season tickets | Eight Flexible All-Day Tickets - Northern (northernrailway.co.uk)

Interesting. Does Merseyrail now just get to pick and choose because it isn't a franchise? Is this not being imposed via the TSA?

 

[Starmill]

Interesting. Does Merseyrail now just get to pick and choose because it isn't a franchise? Is this not being imposed via the TSA?

Northern's website is probably wrong, it contradicts information on other operators' sites, the fares on sale, and the staff briefing.

 

[Wallsendmag]

What about Leeds?

Not our Station same with EDB and SVG

 

[nedchester]

Interesting. Does Merseyrail now just get to pick and choose because it isn't a franchise? Is this not being imposed via the TSA?

Merseyrail is stuck in the past. Does not accept mobile tickets, pick up of advance and now flexible season tickets.

 

[Jurg]

LNER are retailing online via Northern currently and also retailing via the LNER Travel Centres. No Validators at our stations, either user a gateline at NCL,DAR,WKF,PBO and KGX or use the NR app

Have seen several references to the National Rail app. I do hope this relates to a brand new app, rather than adding functionality to the godawful existing National Rail Enquiries app. Any word on when it will be available?

 

[Bletchleyite]

Merseyrail is stuck in the past. Does accept mobile tickets, pick up of advance and now flexible season tickets.

Oh, I'm well aware of Merseyrail's rather old fashioned approach to ticketing. It's just that because this is a national initiative imposed by the Government, it seems odd that it's not being mandated for them, too. I know their contract is devolved, but they are still a National Rail TOC rather than something totally separate like Metrolink.

 

[ThisIsSurbiton]

Interesting. Does Merseyrail now just get to pick and choose because it isn't a franchise? Is this not being imposed via the TSA?

And whatever the regulatory position - see also TfL Rail I think - what's the practical objection? I can imagine that the Underground don't like them because perhaps their barrier software can't yet activate the day's ticket, but surely Merseyrail barriers could?

 

[Bletchleyite]

And whatever the regulatory position - see also TfL Rail I think - what's the practical objection? I can imagine that the Underground don't like them because perhaps their barrier software can't yet activate the day's ticket, but surely Merseyrail barriers could?

The system isn't fully gated, only the Liverpool city centre stations, Southport and Chester, and the latter is TfW's gates, not Merseyrail's. And nothing has barcode scanners for the m-ticket version.

I also wonder if the Walrus/M-card contactless readers are perhaps incompatible? Though I thought they were ITSO.

Other than that, there aren't any point to point seasons, their season product is the Merseytravel Railpass and Trio. But the issue here I think is with through seasons to other destinations which do exist?

 

[Wallsendmag]

Oh, I'm well aware of Merseyrail's rather old fashioned approach to ticketing. It's just that because this is a national initiative imposed by the Government, it seems odd that it's not being mandated for them, too. I know their contract is devolved, but they are still a National Rail TOC rather than something totally separate like Metrolink.

If you search National Rail Smartcard Manager in the app store you should find it

 

[Jurg]

If you search National Rail Smartcard Manager in the app store you should find it

Nothing matching that on Google Play Store.

 

[nedchester]

Oh, I'm well aware of Merseyrail's rather old fashioned approach to ticketing. It's just that because this is a national initiative imposed by the Government, it seems odd that it's not being mandated for them, too. I know their contract is devolved, but they are still a National Rail TOC rather than something totally separate like Metrolink.

They are supposed to be part of National Rail but seem to get away with all sorts including dodgy delay-repay rules as well as lack of mobile ticketing.

If they want to be a system like Metrolink, Tyne and Wear Metro, TfL Underground then they can be as long as they take on the Infrastructure as well (rather suspect that might be rather costly!)

 

[swt_passenger]

Merseyrail is stuck in the past. Does accept mobile tickets, pick up of advance and now flexible season tickets.

Did you mean to write “does not”?

 

[cona321]

So it seems that you can use another operators smart card on a route. For example, I can use a Thameslink Key on C2C for example with the flexi season ticket

 

[nedchester]

Did you mean to write “does not”?

Yes. Amended!

 

[Wallsendmag]

So it seems that you can use another operators smart card on a route. For example, I can use a Thameslink Key on C2C for example with the flexi season ticket

Think of a Smartcard as a carrier bag. You can use a Sainsbury's bag in Tesco.

 

[Haywain]

Nothing matching that on Google Play Store.

Mmm. It should be there.

 

[Wallsendmag]

Waiting for Google review apparently.

 

[CommuterTime]

Hi - hopefully some experts here can shed light on this since I am mega-stressed and waiting for an answer from Greater Anglia. I travel from Ely - London Terminals. Situation is:

1) I'm returning to the office 2/week from next week. Bought a flexi season ticket on the GA app yesterday, to go from Ely - London. Ticket to start on 7 Sep. Was told at the station that this would work for London Terminals, like the annual season tickets. (Reason being I often go on GA from Ely - LST in the AM, then take a train from KGX-Ely in the evening, which means going in on GA and home on GN)

2) First problem is that when I touched my smart card to the GA app, no ticket was loaded on the Smart Card. I've been told that if I put the Smart Card on my app on the 7th, the ticket will load - it's not loading now because it isn't the 7th yet. This makes me very nervous!

3) Even if it does load, how do I show I have authority to travel at Kings Cross? I used to show my gold card and staff would open the barrier. Is there some evidence I would have other than a booking confirm email to show I have a ticket?

Tl/dr: Do flexi tickets only show up on the day? Can I use them on more than one operator? Should I get a refund and go back to the season tix, even though I'm only planning to go in to the office 2/week for the foreseeable?

Thanks!

 

[Wallsendmag]

2 It should load anytime after the Actionlist is sent
3 Tap the card on the gate and hey presto