Article: CrossCountry fare changes – not ‘simplification’

[yorkie]

(This article appeared in the July edition of Railtalk magazine)

It has been widely reported that ticket restrictions on CrossCountry (XC) have been made far more draconian recently, but misunderstandings are rife over the nature of the restrictions and reasoning behind them. Both XC and the media have sent out conflicting and confusing messages.

On 18 May, the Telegraph published an article ‘Train fare overhaul triples certain prices’; a hotchpotch of newsworthy items, started by mentioning the forthcoming changes in September and going on to say passengers face higher fares “after” this shake-up – yet the article admits that the “shake up” hasn’t happened yet – and what followed has nothing to do with the forthcoming ‘Simplification’ (Yes, I know ‘Simplification’ has happened for advance tickets, but this is entirely about walk-on fares), and everything to do with various train operating companies (TOCs) imposing draconian restrictions. No wonder the travelling public are confused!

XC have effectively put fares up for many evening and shoulder-peak passengers by means of altering the restrictions on both Savers and Cheap Day Returns (CDRs). It should be noted at this point, that XC only have control over ticket prices that are set by them. They have no control over restrictions set by other TOCs and are obliged to accept valid tickets on all their services. Of course, this creates anomalies, but more on that later!

Many people have been duped into believing the XC restrictions are linked to this autumn’s ‘Simplification’, as XC claim that the restrictions are “simpler”. To say that choice of word is unfortunate is an understatement. That’s their opinion, and I am not aware of anyone who shares it. Unfortunately for ATOC, this dubious choice of words has damaged the confidence of passengers. DfT’s white paper, ‘Delivering a Sustainable Railway’ the catalyst for ‘Simplification’, states “The Government wants to ensure the fares system is simplified to make the railway easier to use and to improve the confidence of passengers in the system”. Yet passengers have lost confidence in the system, thanks to XC. Many people believe XC has carried out this ‘simplification’ and that the result is higher, and more confusing, fares. Gerry Doherty, leader of the TSSA rail union said, “We always feared that so-called simpler fares would be used as an excuse to sneak through higher fares, and this in fact has happened.” If I were in DfT or ATOC’s shoes I would be having a strong word with XC.

Another XC claim is that the restrictions are “in line” with other TOCs. This is simply not true! Yes, there are some flows, which prohibit use of CDRs in the evening peak, but the only non-London example is Glasgow-Edinburgh with FSR.

Due to the poor quality of media coverage, and the lack of clarification from XC, there are a few myths doing the rounds:-
· Anyone in possession of any Saver cannot use it on a XC train before 0930;
· Anyone in possession of any CDR cannot use it on a XC train in the evening peak.
These are both entirely false. In both cases, the restrictions only apply to tickets priced by XC. Many journeys are possible on XC services using tickets that are not priced by XC; indeed it is a possibility that the majority of walk-on tickets used on XC are priced by other TOCs. Also, bear in mind that only restricted Savers were given the ‘valid after 0930’ code; non-restricted (Code 8A) savers now have restriction 8X – ‘valid after 0500’.

Worryingly, some XC guards are unaware of the scope of the changes. Richard commutes from Banbury to University (Birmingham), on a Saver. Upon boarding the 0825 XC service, “the inspector told me that Saver returns are no longer valid before 9:30am, as a result of the fare changes” he replied that he thought they were, as the restrictions are set by Chiltern and are ‘8A: Any train’. Worryingly, she went on to tell him he was on the “wrong train” and that the ticket was “only valid on Chiltern Trains”. She let him off, but that’s beside the point. It’s worrying that, not only did the guard not know how to check the restriction, but also they believe that travel is only valid on the TOC that sets the fare. This is simply not good enough; if I displayed such a lack of knowledge at my workplace I would expect to be sacked. But XC has to accept liability for not ensuring their employees are adequately trained.

Passenger Focus raised the issue with XC and was assured that train managers should be aware of the flows that are priced by other operators and the Head of Revenue is now taking up the matter with regional managers. Guards should no longer give anyone any grief over this, but anyone who experiences a similar problem should inform Passenger Focus.

(article ends)

 

[gordonthemoron]

Do the ticket websites (NXEC, trainline etc) take this into account when you are purchasing a ticket?

 

[yorkie]

Do the ticket websites (NXEC, trainline etc) take this into account when you are purchasing a ticket?

Yes, they do.

Try Bournemouth to Birmingham leaving early morning, then try Bournemouth to Burton-on-Trent!! Not only will the price of the Saver drop, but it will become valid from 0500 rather than 0930 so the dreaded SOR doesn't need to be purchased.

 

[hairyhandedfool]

There are three seperate issues there.......

1) Simplification and XCs confusing terms in a press release.
2) Fares increases
3) Staff training

1) XC may have used the word 'simpler' and other similar terms, but that in itself does not mean it is part of 'Simplification'. The media are always sniffing for stories, which will undermine confidence, and siezed a couple of stories they could bash together to get more out of it. XCs press release may well have been confusing, but the 'lazy' media do nothing to help, only hinder, passengers understanding.

2) Basically, fares revisions will happen in September, FACT, they would be revised if 'Simplification' didn't happen, FACT. TOCs may use, or be seen to be using, 'Simplification' as an excuse for fares rises and further restrictions, but that does not make them the same thing.

3) If the guard on the train was aware of XCs restriction changes, would it have changed that scenario? No, why? Because it had nothing to do with those changes. All that story shows is that some XC staff don't know what they are doing, nothing else, not about 'Simplification' or those changes at all.