mallard
Established Member
- Joined
- 12 Apr 2009
- Messages
- 1,304
On Tuesday, I purchased a railcard discounted Zones 1-6 travelcard from Kensington (Olympia) station; a manned London Overground managed station, at about 09:40. However, this highlighted some issues with the "No minimum fare in July/August" rule.
I initially tried to purchase from the TVM, but when I selected the railcard, it told me that the fare would be £12 (incorrectly applying the minimum fare). Clearly the TVM is not programmed (correctly) with the July/August exemption. This is itself unacceptable in my opinion, especially as London Overground have unmanned stations. Do other TOCs have correctly programmed TVMs?
Upon resorting to purchasing from the ticket office, I mentioned that the machine "didn't seem to know that it's July", but the staff member clearly did not know of the exemption either, issuing the ticket, but informing me it shouldn't be used until 10am. I told her that that doesn't apply during July and August to which she didn't reply. Again, staff should not be giving incorrect advice, although I do understand that in the complex fares system somewhat obscure rules like this can be forgotten; it's only human.
As it happens, I did have the ticket in time to catch the 09:50 Southern service as far as Harrow and Wealdstone.
Still, I wonder how many 16-25 railcard holders are being overcharged each summer...
I initially tried to purchase from the TVM, but when I selected the railcard, it told me that the fare would be £12 (incorrectly applying the minimum fare). Clearly the TVM is not programmed (correctly) with the July/August exemption. This is itself unacceptable in my opinion, especially as London Overground have unmanned stations. Do other TOCs have correctly programmed TVMs?
Upon resorting to purchasing from the ticket office, I mentioned that the machine "didn't seem to know that it's July", but the staff member clearly did not know of the exemption either, issuing the ticket, but informing me it shouldn't be used until 10am. I told her that that doesn't apply during July and August to which she didn't reply. Again, staff should not be giving incorrect advice, although I do understand that in the complex fares system somewhat obscure rules like this can be forgotten; it's only human.
As it happens, I did have the ticket in time to catch the 09:50 Southern service as far as Harrow and Wealdstone.
Still, I wonder how many 16-25 railcard holders are being overcharged each summer...