The TOCs are colluding (Sorry, I mean liasing for our benefit *cough*) to produce similar restrictions to each other, although it is not yet certain to what extent differences will remain or which TOCs policies will 'trump' other TOCs policies, although some aspects are slowly becoming clear...
* CDRs are likely to be restricted to all TOCs to be banned between approximately 1530 and 1815. SWT and FCC already do something similar (FCC colluded - unlawfully - with GNER to make theirs end at 1900 to coincide with GNER's restrictions, it remains unclear if this is to be relaxed to 1815 or if different TOCs will have different time rules)
* Code 8A Savers are all going to be restricted, causing a fare rise by stealth. XC are changing theirs to be valid after 0500, which will hardly affect anyone (it will only affect people going on very lightly loaded services at silly o'clock, those people will have to pay peak fares for travelling at such lightly loaded times - yes, it is bonkers, but that's what ATOC are!)
* Other savers may be further restricted in order to "simplify". Simplification is about making us pay more. Anomalies will be removed by removing the cheaper fares, by making those who paid less, pay more. I would not be surprised if EMT-priced Savers follow XC's lead and become valid after 0930 instead of 0901 as at present.
* Saver Half fares will be abolished, causing a massive rise in cost for people who could specify an outward time (advance purchase) but want to be flexible on their return. A great idea by Virgin, which worked well, is being discarded for no reason other than to force passengers to pay more money.
* FC season tickets may cost more. XC are using a multiplier of 1.7 rather than 1.5. I assume this won't affect many people on this forum though.
* Savers bought with railcards are NO LONGER VALID ON ANY TRAIN! XC denied they were abolishing this when they took over the franchise as they did not want bad publicity, however they are doing it now.
Remember, CUSTOMERS HAVE NOT BEEN TOLD any of this, we only know because we gained access to Newsrail Express (see other topic in this forum) which is an 'internal' document. The unfair rises on XC take effect next month!
* CDRs are likely to be restricted to all TOCs to be banned between approximately 1530 and 1815. SWT and FCC already do something similar (FCC colluded - unlawfully - with GNER to make theirs end at 1900 to coincide with GNER's restrictions, it remains unclear if this is to be relaxed to 1815 or if different TOCs will have different time rules)
* Code 8A Savers are all going to be restricted, causing a fare rise by stealth. XC are changing theirs to be valid after 0500, which will hardly affect anyone (it will only affect people going on very lightly loaded services at silly o'clock, those people will have to pay peak fares for travelling at such lightly loaded times - yes, it is bonkers, but that's what ATOC are!)
* Other savers may be further restricted in order to "simplify". Simplification is about making us pay more. Anomalies will be removed by removing the cheaper fares, by making those who paid less, pay more. I would not be surprised if EMT-priced Savers follow XC's lead and become valid after 0930 instead of 0901 as at present.
* Saver Half fares will be abolished, causing a massive rise in cost for people who could specify an outward time (advance purchase) but want to be flexible on their return. A great idea by Virgin, which worked well, is being discarded for no reason other than to force passengers to pay more money.
* FC season tickets may cost more. XC are using a multiplier of 1.7 rather than 1.5. I assume this won't affect many people on this forum though.
* Savers bought with railcards are NO LONGER VALID ON ANY TRAIN! XC denied they were abolishing this when they took over the franchise as they did not want bad publicity, however they are doing it now.
Remember, CUSTOMERS HAVE NOT BEEN TOLD any of this, we only know because we gained access to Newsrail Express (see other topic in this forum) which is an 'internal' document. The unfair rises on XC take effect next month!
