TRIVIA: Tickets that are still issued as scratchcards

[AY1975]

Not sure whether this belongs under Fares Advice & Policy or Buses & Coaches, but with the imminent withdrawal of the SPT Daytripper (see https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/spt-daytripper-ticket-to-be-withdrawn.223185/) I wonder if there are many tickets left that are still issued as scratchcards where you scratch off the day, month and year on which you wish to use the ticket (or the starting or finishing date in the case of weekly or monthly tickets).

Offhand the only other remaining example that I know of is the Derbyshire Wayfarer if bought from a tourist information centre in Derbyshire or ordered by post from Derbyshire County Council (although the postal ordering facility is currently suspended, presumably because of Covid restrictions).

In the 1980s, 90s and early 2000s there were many scratchcard day tickets (and some scratchcard weekly and monthly tickets) throughout the country: the Greater Manchester Wayfarer, the one-day, weekly or monthly South Yorkshire Travelmaster, the London Transport/London Regional Transport One Day Bus Pass and Lothian Buses day tickets bought from tourist information centres, for example. FirstWeek and FirstMonth tickets for First buses in South Yorkshire (and presumably other places where First operates) were also issued as scratchcards until fairly recently.

In recent years most scratchcard tickets have been phased out in favour of tickets issued on standard ticket stock on the day of travel or for use on a specified date (or downloaded onto apps or smartcards).

 

[Ken H]

Are West Yorkshire Metro day tickets not available as scratchcards from bus stations still. But they are available on railway tickets from their ticket offices.

 

[capitalconnect]

Not sure whether this belongs under Fares Advice & Policy or Buses & Coaches, but with the imminent withdrawal of the SPT Daytripper (see https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/spt-daytripper-ticket-to-be-withdrawn.223185/) I wonder if there are many tickets left that are still issued as scratchcards where you scratch off the day, month and year on which you wish to use the ticket (or the starting or finishing date in the case of weekly or monthly tickets).

Offhand the only other remaining example that I know of is the Derbyshire Wayfarer if bought from a tourist information centre in Derbyshire or ordered by post from Derbyshire County Council (although the postal ordering facility is currently suspended, presumably because of Covid restrictions).

In the 1980s, 90s and early 2000s there were many scratchcard day tickets (and some scratchcard weekly and monthly tickets) throughout the country: the Greater Manchester Wayfarer, the one-day, weekly or monthly South Yorkshire Travelmaster, the London Transport/London Regional Transport One Day Bus Pass and Lothian Buses day tickets bought from tourist information centres, for example. FirstWeek and FirstMonth tickets for First buses in South Yorkshire (and presumably other places where First operates) were also issued as scratchcards until fairly recently.

In recent years most scratchcard tickets have been phased out in favour of tickets issued on standard ticket stock on the day of travel or for use on a specified date (or downloaded onto apps or smartcards).

Go Ahead Brighton & Hove still issue a scratchcard version of their Network Saver ticket. Both one day versions and seven day versions are available. They can be bought at their office in Central Brighton or from hundreds of convenience shops all over Brighton and surrounding towns. They are much cheaper than buying a paper ticket from the bus driver. For example a one day scratchcard is £5.50 compared to £7.00 from the bus driver. It costs £27.50 for the weekly version the scratchcard. There used to be a monthly version of it as well but that has since been withdrawn.

Full details are on their website:

Scratchcard ticket

Our scratchcard tickets are available to buy from selected shops

www.buses.co.uk

That is the only one i can think of. There used to be lots of others but they all seem to have been withdrawn. The scratchcard tickets are extremely rare these days.

 

[AY1975]

Are West Yorkshire Metro day tickets not available as scratchcards from bus stations still. But they are available on railway tickets from their ticket offices.

Yes, you're right: https://www.m-card.co.uk/the-cards/day-tickets/metroday-and-half-metroday/

 

[scotrail158713]

Lothian Buses still offer daytickets on scratchcards, but only appear to be available online. Adult, child and family ones are all available - adult one is linked below as an example but others are also available.

Adult DAYtickets – Pack of 20 *BEST VALUE - ONLINE EXCLUSIVE* - Lothian Buses

Adult DAYtickets – Pack of 20 Perfect if you plan to make more than two journeys by bus or tram in a day. A pack of 20 Adult DAYticket scratchcards is supplied – please follow the instructions on the scratchcard before boarding. Can be used for unlimited journeys for one day on: All Lothian...

www.lothianbuses.com

 

[Ken H]

Yes, you're right: https://www.m-card.co.uk/the-cards/day-tickets/metroday-and-half-metroday/

I looked for that info before posting and didnt find it

 

[MadMarsupial]

Last month I bought a Derbyshire Wayfarer scratchcard from Buxton TIO and was told that they had "heard" that the Derbyshire scatchcards were to be phased out.

 

[Deafdoggie]

GWR did give me four scratchcard day tickets for poor customer service. But this was a few years ago & you can't purchase them.

 

[capitalconnect]

GWR did give me four scratchcard day tickets for poor customer service. But this was a few years ago & you can't purchase them.

I believe that LNER do these scratchcard tickets as well which they sometimes send out if you make a complaint.

 

[Haywain]

I believe that LNER do these scratchcard tickets as well which they sometimes send out if you make a complaint.

Not any more.

 

[AY1975]

Last month I bought a Derbyshire Wayfarer scratchcard from Buxton TIO and was told that they had "heard" that the Derbyshire scratchcards were to be phased out.

In which case I would guess that they will either no longer be available from tourist information centres, only from bus drivers and railway stations, or if you will still be able to buy them from TICs, you will either only be able to buy them on the day of travel or you will have to specify the day of travel when you buy them. This will obviously make them less flexible, as you can buy a scratchcard and then decide at the very last minute when you want to use it. That is especially useful if you want to do a trip that requires good weather.

Withdrawal of scratchcard Wayfarers will presumably also mean that they'll no longer be able to do the monthly draw to win a free ticket, or if they do, I suppose you will have to specify the date when you want to use it. Or they could send the winner a voucher to exchange for a Wayfarer on a bus or at a railway station. At present, each Derbyshire Wayfarer issued as a scratchcard or on standard ticket stock at a railway station (which is then inserted into a special backing sleeve) has a questionnaire on the back on which you can enter your journey details and then send it to Derbyshire County Council to be entered into the monthly draw.

I expect it will only be a matter of time before the Wayfarer (assuming that it survives) becomes a smartcard- and/or app-based product.

 

[danm14]

Lothian Buses still offer daytickets on scratchcards, but only appear to be available online. Adult, child and family ones are all available - adult one is linked below as an example but others are also available.

Adult DAYtickets – Pack of 20 *BEST VALUE - ONLINE EXCLUSIVE* - Lothian Buses

Adult DAYtickets – Pack of 20 Perfect if you plan to make more than two journeys by bus or tram in a day. A pack of 20 Adult DAYticket scratchcards is supplied – please follow the instructions on the scratchcard before boarding. Can be used for unlimited journeys for one day on: All Lothian...

www.lothianbuses.com

I purchased a single one in May from the TravelHub on Shandwick Place as I had only a £5 note, and buses and tram stops only accept coins.

I have no idea whether they're actually meant to be for sale offline or if the clerk just sold me old stock given the circumstances.

 

[Class800]

Only as complimentary tickets in my experience

 

[T-Karmel]

FirstGroup sells scratchcards for unlimited use on First buses for one week for their staff through employee portal.

 

[Old Yard Dog]

I still have a WMR/LNWR scratchcard which was given to me as compensation for a messed up journey a couple of years ago. It says it is valid for one day of my choice up to 31 Dec 2021. So I plan to use it from Liverpool to Kidderminster on Saturday (and will give my annual diversion via bus from Wolverhampton to Bridgnorth then the SVR a miss).

 

[matt_world2004]

Tfl temporary authority to travel tickets are scratch cards I believe