smoky_bacon
Member
- Joined
- 28 Jul 2011
- Messages
- 28
I often ask myself questions about few things in railways that can be really annoying for customers and usually staff as well. So far I haven't found reasons for these so maybe some forum users can help:
1) Time restrictions and minimum fares for railcards.
I can understand minimum fare for 16-25 Railcard allows to get more money from young people who commute (therefore encouraging to use it later for leisure travel). But why is it not the same for other railcards, especially Senior? And more importantly why are there these silly variations of time restrictions for different railcards? Would it not be easier to set simple rules, ie. discount for all railcards valid after 10.00, otherwise minimum fare let's say £12 (and also make it the same for travelcard from outside Zones 1-6)?
2) Photocards.
I wonder why there are still two different photocard types - yellow for 16-25 Railcard and pink one for season tickets? Is there any sensible reason or is this just because it was for years? I think one photocard for everything would make life easier for passengers and staff. I feel like an idiot when someone wants one weekly ticket instead of few daily discounted tickets (which in total cost more than weekly) and I tell them they need separate photocard. Practically it would just be enough to scrap 16-25 photocards and issue holders with a pink one instead.
3) Network Railcard commission.
Why do clerks get commission for them and not for other railcards issued? I'm not saying there should be commission for all or actually any of them, it's just silly for me and I'm curious of the reason.
4) Staff/Spouse/Dependant Travel Passes.
Why employees' family members are not allowed to use it for work/school? I know simple answer is to increase revenue but I'm trying to look from different side and in my opinion getting rid of this restriction could only give benefit to staff families budget with no or not much harm to TOC business. Let's be honest - with current rail fares I guess these people choose to commute by car (I know petrol went up but still it's cheaper than train if you don't work in London). Would it not be a nice gesture towards rail staff, especially in these difficult times nowadays?
What do you think?
1) Time restrictions and minimum fares for railcards.
I can understand minimum fare for 16-25 Railcard allows to get more money from young people who commute (therefore encouraging to use it later for leisure travel). But why is it not the same for other railcards, especially Senior? And more importantly why are there these silly variations of time restrictions for different railcards? Would it not be easier to set simple rules, ie. discount for all railcards valid after 10.00, otherwise minimum fare let's say £12 (and also make it the same for travelcard from outside Zones 1-6)?
2) Photocards.
I wonder why there are still two different photocard types - yellow for 16-25 Railcard and pink one for season tickets? Is there any sensible reason or is this just because it was for years? I think one photocard for everything would make life easier for passengers and staff. I feel like an idiot when someone wants one weekly ticket instead of few daily discounted tickets (which in total cost more than weekly) and I tell them they need separate photocard. Practically it would just be enough to scrap 16-25 photocards and issue holders with a pink one instead.
3) Network Railcard commission.
Why do clerks get commission for them and not for other railcards issued? I'm not saying there should be commission for all or actually any of them, it's just silly for me and I'm curious of the reason.
4) Staff/Spouse/Dependant Travel Passes.
Why employees' family members are not allowed to use it for work/school? I know simple answer is to increase revenue but I'm trying to look from different side and in my opinion getting rid of this restriction could only give benefit to staff families budget with no or not much harm to TOC business. Let's be honest - with current rail fares I guess these people choose to commute by car (I know petrol went up but still it's cheaper than train if you don't work in London). Would it not be a nice gesture towards rail staff, especially in these difficult times nowadays?
What do you think?