Good morning, this is my first post - this forum has been recommended to me by another member (thank you northernrail2009!)
I have already registered a complaint via South West Trains' website but whilst awaiting their response, can anyone tell me if it is true that no railcard discount is applied if purchasing one's ticket on the train?
My 16 year old son - who has a 16-25 Railcard - was going away for the weekend and arrived at Parkstone Station to find the ticket machine had vanished, so I was unable to get him his ticket. There was no sign to explain although I have since found out that the ticket machine had been vandalised. Anyway I told him he would have to buy his ticket on the train as there was no alternative.
When the ticket collector came round my son asked to purchase his ticket. This member of staff was apparently "rude and grumpy" and told him he should have come to find him. I have to mention here that my son is very new to travelling alone and would not have known this - and actually, nor would I!
Anyway he went back to get his ticket machine, then returned and when my son showed him his railcard, he was told "Not on the train" and made to pay the full adult return fare. Is this correct? Surely if there is no facility to purchase a ticket at the station then it is not the passenger's fault and he should not be penalised.
I have already registered a complaint via South West Trains' website but whilst awaiting their response, can anyone tell me if it is true that no railcard discount is applied if purchasing one's ticket on the train?
My 16 year old son - who has a 16-25 Railcard - was going away for the weekend and arrived at Parkstone Station to find the ticket machine had vanished, so I was unable to get him his ticket. There was no sign to explain although I have since found out that the ticket machine had been vandalised. Anyway I told him he would have to buy his ticket on the train as there was no alternative.
When the ticket collector came round my son asked to purchase his ticket. This member of staff was apparently "rude and grumpy" and told him he should have come to find him. I have to mention here that my son is very new to travelling alone and would not have known this - and actually, nor would I!
Anyway he went back to get his ticket machine, then returned and when my son showed him his railcard, he was told "Not on the train" and made to pay the full adult return fare. Is this correct? Surely if there is no facility to purchase a ticket at the station then it is not the passenger's fault and he should not be penalised.