Convoluted Network Railcard + Season Ticket Query

[stut]

Slightly random one here. I have (at present) a weekly season from Biggleswade to Hitchin. MrsStut has a Network Railcard.

If we want to go to London, using her Railcard discount, can I travel on the season plus a Hitchin-London ticket, while she travels on a Biggleswade-London ticket?

 

[hairyhandedfool]

So long as you travel together I'd say that is fine, but I imagine some will disagree.

 

[Hadders]

I've been sold similar combinations in the past but the difference between a Biggleswade to Kings Cross and Hitchin to Kings Cross is only £1.15 on a weekday and 70p at weekends (railcard discounted off peak day return fares).

 

[Gerald Fiennes]

Hmmm.... I suspect this is not permitted by the Network Railcard rules which imply that the same tickets must be bought for those accompanying unless the Network Card holder already has a season ticket for all or part of the route in which case the holder only needs a ticket for the section not covered by the season ticket. But I would not expect inspectors to make too much fuss about it if this is the ticket combination you bought.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I can't see a problem with that, as for the entire period she has purchased a discounted ticket for you, she also has one for her. The other way round might be a problem.

 

[Hadders]

Hmmm.... I suspect this is not permitted by the Network Railcard rules which imply that the same tickets must be bought for those accompanying unless the Network Card holder already has a season ticket for all or part of the route in which case the holder only needs a ticket for the section not covered by the season ticket. But I would not expect inspectors to make too much fuss about it if this is the ticket combination you bought.

There's nothing I can see in the Network Railcard terms and conditions about this. I think you might be getting confused with the Annual Gold Card conditions which does have a condition about the cardholder not needing to purchase a ticket if their annual season ticket covers the journey, but then also mentions needing to purchase a travelcard for themselves if the other passengers are using travelcards and their season ticket doesn't cover the same zones.

 

[Class442Fan]

It's absolutely fine, no different than if the railcard holder was alighting the train and meeting another person at Hitchin and continuing their journey to London together. The holder can have a ticket for a longer journey than the companion but the companion CANNOT have a discounted ticket for longer than the railcard holder. Same rules if they were to return on different time trains.

As for having a season to cover part of it; as long as you are on a train that stops at Hitchin you'll be fine, otherwise you would need a ticket from the LAST station stop your season is valid on, and London. Forgive my ignorance, I'm not familiar with that part of the country.

 

[cool110]

As for having a season to cover part of it; as long as you are on a train that stops at Hitchin you'll be fine, otherwise you would need a ticket from the LAST station stop your season is valid on, and London. Forgive my ignorance, I'm not familiar with that part of the country.

Since it's a season wouldn’t that be covered by condition 19(c), so the train does not need to stop at Hitchin.