PRIV ticket- awkward station ticket clerk

[tlionhart]

I feel my local ticket office is being awkward.
Whether buying a PRIV rate season ticket, buying a long distance fare or simply buying a ticket the day before travel. (As I intend to travel before the office opens)

For instance; they wouldn't except my season ticket form (which had been stamped by staff travel) however they email them back. The odd thing is, main terminus stations would either except them or ask their boss who in return said 'no problem'

- I wanted to travel from my home station to Manchester for the day and the awkward clerk said it wasn't 'permitted with virgin' however I pointed out it was. In the end said it was after having a double check of my 75% priv card

- she now REFUSES to sell me a ticket the day before for a journey from my local station to my Depot station. My depot station is a main connection terminal. So for instance, I would use my priv card to travel up to my connection terminal station. From the connection terminal I get free travel with my TOC who I work for. I travel with my TOC for a lot of days out. (Extensive route coverage)
I use my PRIV card for leisure travel, as stated. So I could understand if I used the pass to travel to work, would be a reason to why the clerk would refuse me. However I'm buying my ticket the day before due to the long distances ahead. Meaning I want to leave early. I also don't want to buy a ticket on the train because not all guards are able to sell tickets with my local Toc (who I use to travel up to the main terminus) in addition to this the main connection station in my journey, the office gets very busy. I want minimum stress in my journey as possible.
Surely it's not the clerks job to pass judgement on me and that's down to the RPI? I've clearly stated I'm using the PRIV card for leisure and not work. The clerk just repeats themselves. "You need a season ticket" or "you can't travel on the morning trains" however it states on my PRIV card "anytime walk up fare". I've checked staff travel and my home TOC I use don't have any rule changes or embargo...

 

[tsr]

It does sound as if they think you're travelling for some sort of commuting or business reason - have you explained to the clerk that you are making frequent leisure journeys? That's really the only reason I can think of. I've never had an issue getting PRIV (75% New Entrant discount, for me) tickets for any length of journey so it sounds like someone's got the wrong end of the stick. Either that or the clerk is just an awkward sort of person, but when buying PRIV I generally find there is an understanding that you don't make another member of staff's life difficult, and surely they'd know that if they were the other side of the window they'd want to be treated fairly.

I know it may sound confrontational but you may wish to ask them why they are doing this if you buy a ticket from them again. Either that, or speak to whoever deals with Rail Staff Travel at your company. They will probably be able to find a contact to speak to about this.

 

[maniacmartin]

Perhaps the clerk has taken 'not be used for commuting' to mean 'not to be used on the route which you commute'

 

[Sleepy]

If the ticket is not open when you start your journey then buying on the train at the first opportunity is ok ! (Or buy it from a guard the previous day could be an option) The clerk might just be clueless of course - London Overground stations are famous for spouting rubbish due to poor training.

 

[ItchyRsole]

Take the clerks name and report her simple. I'm not one for 'tales' but she's clearly causing you undue aggravation. Her manager has a duty to pull her up on it as you are the PAYING CUSTOMER. Can't stand people like that.