This particular part, that GTR is the operator, is not a view and is fact.That’s a view, and it might even be the correct one, but nobody will know for sure until the case is resolved. It also may well make no difference to the competition law question.
Edit: From the TSA (Vol 2; Schedule 1):
SCHEDULE 1 - THE OPERATORS
Name of Operator
Govia Thameslink Railway Limited
Registered Number
07934306
Registered Office
3rd Floor,
41-51 Grey Street,
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 6EE
The part that is a view is whether or not train companies are allowed to have brand restrictions or not; I believe the relevant legislation, conditions and framework are clear on this, but if others wish to disagree, then that is their choice, and you are right the cout decision should settle that.
I can assure you GTR is an incorporated entity; the corporate group is Govia:GTR certainly won’t be one entity, it’ll be a corporate group comprised of various different entities. I’m not saying your opinion is wrong, but these questions are complex, may cost many hundreds of thousands of pounds to even get a legal opinion on, and even then that view wont be a definitive statement of the position!
GOVIA THAMESLINK RAILWAY LIMITED overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK
GOVIA THAMESLINK RAILWAY LIMITED - Free company information from Companies House including registered office address, filing history, accounts, annual return, officers, charges, business activity
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Each brand is a trading name of GTR.GOVIA THAMESLINK RAILWAY LIMITED
Company number 07934306
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Registered office address
3rd Floor, 41-51 Grey Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 6EE
Company status
Active
Company type
Private limited Company
Incorporated on
2 February 2012
GTR is owned by Govia, which is a partnership between the Go-Ahead Group and Keolis; this may be what you are thinking of when you refer to a "coroprate group".
I do expect ticket office staff to adhere to contract law, consumer law, the NRCoT and any other relevant legislation/frameworks.You can’t reasonably expect ticket office staff to do anymore than parrot their employer’s line - and indeed if they did otherwise they’d find themselves being sacked sooner or later. They aren’t competition law experts, and they’re unlikely even to be aware of the case.
The liability, when staff do not act correctly, is with the employer.
I don't agree, but it's not relevant to the matter under debate.However they are likely to be able to provide advice on the cheapest ticketing options for those who are unfamiliar with railway ticketing, and have no interest in the subject, which is probably 99% of railway users. Most travellers will simply accept the company line that Gatwick Express is a separate premium service, which they have to pay more to use, and won’t see any issue with that.
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