Priv Holders

[glynn80]

Priv not valid on GC, WSMR or HT as they are not members of ATOC

Not technically correct.

They are "associate members" of ATOC and are full signatories of the Ticketing & Settlement Agreement. What they do not participate in though is the Rail Staff Travel scheme.

In laymen's terms what the above means, is that GC, WSMR and HT are bound to accept inter-available rail tickets but have no obligations with regard to Privilege Cards (although WSMR have indicated publically they are willing to accept both Privilege discounted tickets and Box Cards).

 

[Hampshire Unit]

Me Too (safeguarded)

 

[driver9000]

Thanks for clarifying my post glynn80

 

[Mojo]

The Staff Travel website says that these operators are "not eligible to participate." This is something presumably decided upon by ATOC, presumably because of the infrequency of open access trains.

 

[glynn80]

The Staff Travel website says that these operators are "not eligible to participate." This is something presumably decided upon by ATOC, presumably because of the infrequency of open access trains.

I was thinking more along the lines of their companies were not eligible to participate because they were not formed prior to 1996, the date when the Rail Staff Travel scheme contract was signed.

 

[Mojo]

I think Priv discounted tickets valid on Heathrow Express though, which started in 1998.

 

[Bayum]

I think Priv discounted tickets valid on Heathrow Express though, which started in 1998.

When I went on Heathrow Express, my priv ticket wasn't...

 

[glynn80]

I think Priv discounted tickets valid on Heathrow Express though, which started in 1998.

When I went on Heathrow Express, my priv ticket wasn't...

They are certainly are valid for Privelige discounted tickets as stated within the Travel Facilities Guides (http://www.atoc.org/rst/Travel_ Facilities_ Guides.asp):

Heathrow Express

Privilege tickets may be purchased from the Heathrow Express booking
offices at Heathrow and Paddington.

But the agreement is not reciprocal and no HEX staff are eligible for TOCNE Cards of Staff Travel Cards.

I can only assume it was negotiated with ATOC especially because nearly all other administrations listed within the facilities guides (even the heritage railways) have staff eligible for Privilege Discount Cards, protected by the Railways Act 1993.

 

[Sleepy]

Requishie post - NX box pass still valid on East Coast until they hand back keys later on this year :cry:

 

[Ticket Man]

im new here so hi all n i got one too!, non safeguarded and free on Virgin trains

 

[yorkie]

When I went on Heathrow Express, my priv ticket wasn't...

Then write and complain as they clearly are valid! Send both the PRIV ticket and the ticket you had to purchase to Heathrow Express (take a photocopy in case they get lost in the post) for a refund. They should really compensate you for the inconvenience IMO.

There are two routes from London, routed "Not Heathrow Exp" and "Any Permitted", so the only way you can have been refused is if you had the "Not Heathrow Exp" but then it'd be obvious.

If you had a ticket from anywhere else then the only option is "Any Permitted" so that would be valid.

 

[Broken Viking]

<-- Plus one EX holder of a British Railways dependants Priv. I can't remember exactly what restrictions did/didn't apply to it, but IIRC it was valid for first as well as standard, and there were no boxes.
The darndest thing about it though is that - Despite it being a BR Priv - It was actually earned through employment at LuL. No, I don't understand how that works either.

A couple of questions, if I may...

1. What is the difference between a "safeguarded" and "non-safeguarded" Priv? The very concept is completely new to me!
2. I've seen people using Privs with date boxes on them, which I never had in my BR version of the pass. How does a "dated" Priv work?

Farewell, and cheers for the answers!
>> Death <<

 

[yorkie]

Safeguarded PRIVs have boxes, which means that, as well as being able to buy PRIV tickets, they can travel for free on most TOCs (not Heathrow Express, GC, WSMR or HT - none of which existed before privatisation anyway) by dating a box.

All these operators seem to accept PRIV discounted tickets though although the open access operators are apparently not obliged to, but do anyway. Although I must say that given that the tickets are routed "Any Permitted" it would be difficult for them to justify refusing them as it goes against the NCoC, but I guess the counter-argument to that is that the Staff Travel restrictions over-rule the NCoC. I think some staff ignore the restrictions though, particularly the one about standing up and giving up seats when customers are standing, and the rules are very rarely enforced.

 

[33056]

The darndest thing about it though is that - Despite it being a BR Priv - It was actually earned through employment at LuL. No, I don't understand how that works either. :

Then it was not a BR priv, the LU one is totally different. When you had one it would have been a blue-patterned card which had to be updated every year.

They are now plastic cards with a photo on and say PTAC (Privilege Travel Authority Card). They do not entitle the holder to free travel on the National Rail network (and never have done), only 75% reduction on the normal fare, the same as buying a ticket using a BR safeguarded priv card when the holder does not wish to fill in a box.

 

[glynn80]

1. What is the difference between a "safeguarded" and "non-safeguarded" Priv? The very concept is completely new to me!

In 1993 the Railways Act was carried through Parliament. Part of that legislation safeguarded the concessionary travel facilities enjoyed by employees of British Rail (BR), at the time that the public rail service was broken up and sold off. The law guaranteed that anyone who entered railway employment before 1 April 1996, when it was privatised, would retain the right to the conditions – including travel facilities - they had under BR. Travel facilities were deemed ‘safeguarded’.

The main differences between Safeguarded Employees and TOC New Entrants (TOCNE) Employees can be seen below

Free Travel (“Boxes”)- Safeguarded: YES, TOCNE: NO

Privilege Travel (75% reduction)- Safeguarded: YES, TOCNE: YES

Free Residential Travel- Safeguarded: YES, TOCNE: NO (Priv Rate Only)

LUL privilege travel- Safeguarded: YES, TOCNE: NO

Other rail operators free travel (preserved, Eurostar etc)- Safeguarded: YES, TOCNE: SOME

Other rail operators free travel (preserved, Eurostar etc)- Safeguarded: YES, TOCNE: YES

European (FIP): Privilege- Safeguarded: YES, TOCNE: YES

European (FIP): Free- Safeguarded: YES, TOCNE: YES

Shipping: P&O (Dover – Calais)- Safeguarded: YES, TOCNE: YES

Shipping: Stena Ireland- Safeguarded: YES, TOCNE: YES

Shipping: Irish Ferries- Safeguarded: YES, TOCNE: NO

Shipping: IOW - Safeguarded: YES (Pre 01/04/85), TOCNE: NO

Shipping: IOM- Safeguarded: YES, TOCNE: NO

Shipping: Caledonian MacBrayne- Safeguarded: YES (Pre 01/01/71), TOCNE: NO

Non-European (FIP): Privilege- Safeguarded: YES, TOCNE: YES

Non-European (FIP): Free- Safeguarded: YES, TOCNE: YES

2. I've seen people using Privs with date boxes on them, which I never had in my BR version of the pass. How does a "dated" Priv work?

A "Priv" with Boxes (otherwise known as a Staff Travel Card, http://therailticketgallery.fotopic.net/p48665662.html), is one that entitles the holder to free travel on the National Rail network. Each date in the box entitles the holder to free travel over all National Rail services on that day and up to 2400 hrs on the day following, i.e. two days worth of free travel.

Free travel can also be obtained for the following ferry journeys:

-Mainland ports/stations and Isle of Wight ports/stations via Wightlink services (applies to staff in rail service before 01/04/85).

-Mainland ports/stations and Irish ports (including Belfast York Road and Dublin), via Stena Line (applies to staff in rail service before 01/04/85 only).

-Mainland ports/stations and continental ports via P&O Stena Line and their French counterparts.

Although port taxes are payable on journeys to/from continental ports, also to/from Larne via Stranraer, Rosslare via Fishguard, Dun Laoghaire via Holyhead.

 

[HSTfan!!!]

I have non safe guarded priv.

 

[harz99]

Then write and complain as they clearly are valid! Send both the PRIV ticket and the ticket you had to purchase to Heathrow Express (take a photocopy in case they get lost in the post) for a refund. They should really compensate you for the inconvenience IMO.

There are two routes from London, routed "Not Heathrow Exp" and "Any Permitted", so the only way you can have been refused is if you had the "Not Heathrow Exp" but then it'd be obvious.

If you had a ticket from anywhere else then the only option is "Any Permitted" so that would be valid.

Unless of course the OP has not really explained him/herself very well, and by "ticket" they mean any form of Staff Travel Card which would normally allow free travel as opposed to paid for at quarter rate?

 

[Intercity 125]

I have non safe guarded priv and free travel with VT..