Advance tickets are valid on booked train only.
Railcard holders must always carry the railcard.
It is not hard to understand at all.
I agree that is not hard to understand, but I am arguing that the requirement to then pay a full fare is ridiculous.
I find it harder to sympathise when it is genuinely one's own fault that they missed their train, but the for the following five examples, it was not and all were 'stung by unfair rules';
1) a passenger booked on an Advance ticket Paddington - Newport suffered an epileptic fit while travelling to get her train. On missing the booked train, tried to explain the situation. Paddington office told them point blank SOS. The passenger happened to be tweeting at the time, and after a lot of public flak they apologised and cancelled the charge.
Why should any passenger be penalised for something which is so evidently outside of their control? You could leave a day ahead to get to the station on time, and something similar to that could happen. Passengers should be able to upgrade/excess when that happens ; it is far more appropriate than being charged full whack.
2) another passenger booked on an Advance Penzance - Paddington had their wallet stolen with railcard in it. Ticket office told them not valid, new fare please.
Again, surely an excess for something outside the passengers control is far more suitable than 'sorry about your stolen property, but now we're also going to ask you for another hundred quid or so because the thief didn't have the decency to leave behind your railcard'?
3) a passenger travelling Aberdeen - York had had their case dropped out of a helicopter, and their items scattered across the helipad. One of the lost items included the reservation coupon of their ticket. Despite having the travel ticket, and a full itinerary, both ticket office and guard refused travel. After correspondence, NX eventually refunded the open fare charged.
Not an everyday example admittedly, but the point is relevant. Surely on evidence that the first £30 or whatever had been paid, an excess to the next available ticket would be far more appropriate than a full fare?
4) a passenger travelling between Glasgow and Edinburgh for an interview had misplaced their relevant discount card, but on habit had applied it. The passenger had a series of tickets in their possession all stamped and endorsed and okayed, each with the discount applied. In an attempt to make themselves look appealing for their interview, had selected a new bag and not transferred their discount card over. An innocent mistake - and chinged full fare.
Surely an excess again would have been far more appropriate? The passenger was already in a state enough without being asked for an extra fare.
5) a passenger travelling Crianlarich to London missed the train from Crianlarich to Glasgow Qst and hence missed the connection onwards. They were stopped by an elderly couple on the outside of the town crying for help. After assisting the man in distress suitably and making sure the situation was okay, the train had been missed. The guard on the next train passed the passenger to Glasgow no problem, but was then promptly asked for a full fare from Glasgow to London by the Virgin staff. Despite having details of the ambulance journey, the time of the incident etc - nada.
Surely an excess again would be far more appropriate?
I cede that the situations aren't everyday, but there are many situations just like it where the passenger is just as innocent. The railway shouldn't prevent it just because a few scallies may try it on - they should do whats best for the greatest number of passengers and try new ways of dealing with those remaining 'scallies'.