Guess how many of us are grinning this morning?
Posted: 15 Aug 2014 11:18
http://www.atoc.org/about-atoc/rail-staff-travel/
Priv fares will now be useful for intercity leisure travel! I do love how they highlight that London - Manchester Priv fares will be effectively falling 75%.
From a management perspective, I think it's a fantastic boost for staff morale across all TOCs at not that great a cost. The old system was a little silly for leisure travel (you could still get 75% off season tickets, which was the primary benefit). It also helps to harmonise out the differences between TOCs quite significantly for leisure travel.
Still a little confused about what it means about LU zone fares being exempt. I have a feeling I'll be impacted by that, since Stratford - Liverpool Street is an inter-available fare and is set at the TfL price. Ironically, Maryland to Liverpool Street is marginally cheaper, and thus would be eligible for the Priv fare. Oddly, there doesn't appear to be an Off Peak Return ticket for either Stratford or Maryland into London; only a one-day off peak travelcard, which can't be discounted for Priv holders (TfL services are excluded).
Priv fares will now be useful for intercity leisure travel! I do love how they highlight that London - Manchester Priv fares will be effectively falling 75%.
From a management perspective, I think it's a fantastic boost for staff morale across all TOCs at not that great a cost. The old system was a little silly for leisure travel (you could still get 75% off season tickets, which was the primary benefit). It also helps to harmonise out the differences between TOCs quite significantly for leisure travel.
Still a little confused about what it means about LU zone fares being exempt. I have a feeling I'll be impacted by that, since Stratford - Liverpool Street is an inter-available fare and is set at the TfL price. Ironically, Maryland to Liverpool Street is marginally cheaper, and thus would be eligible for the Priv fare. Oddly, there doesn't appear to be an Off Peak Return ticket for either Stratford or Maryland into London; only a one-day off peak travelcard, which can't be discounted for Priv holders (TfL services are excluded).
ENHANCED LEISURE BENEFIT FOR RECIPIENTS OF RAIL STAFF TRAVEL CONCESSIONS
The discount available for rail staff, known as the “Priv” rate, has been set at 75% of the full-price fare ever since the Rail Staff Travel Scheme was set up. Using the current fare names, this means the Anytime Fare is used to calculate the “Priv” fare.
On and from 7 September 2014 (date of sale), a 12 months’ trial is to commence and the fare on which a “Priv” fare is to be calculated is being expanded to include day and period walk-up off-peak fares (including super off-peak fares). The time restrictions applying to these tickets will also apply to the “Priv” discounted ticket. “Priv” fares continue to be available at ticket offices and on train (if the ticket office is not open on at the departure station).
The following are not covered by this new arrangement:
Advance Purchase fares
Season Tickets
Any fares that include a London Travelcard
Non-safeguarded (ie TOC) staff only: any fares that include London Underground zone fares, unless making a through-London journey
This new “Priv” rate is available for leisure travel by: -
Safeguarded staff using their Staff Travel Card (no need to date a box);
Non-safeguarded staff using the TOC Privilege Card;
FIP card holders visiting the UK will also now be eligible for discounts on the additional fare types at their prevailing discount rate - typically 50%.
Two examples of the new discounts are shown below (standard class return journey):
1. Carmarthen to Abergavenny
Current situation
£38.40 Fare available to the public for this journey (Off-Peak Return).
£17.20 “Priv” fare - based on “Anytime” fares
From 7 September 2014
£38.40 Fare available to the public for this journey (Off-Peak Return).
£9.60 New “Priv” fare based on “Off-Peak” fares
Reduction in “Priv” fare of £7.60 (44%)
2. London to Manchester
Current situation
£79.70 Fare available to the public for this journey (Off-Peak Return)
£80.25 “Priv” fare - based on “Anytime” fares
From 7 September 2014
£79.70 Fare available to the public for this journey (Off-Peak Return)
£19.95 New “Priv” fare based on “Off-Peak” fares
Reduction in “Priv” fare of £60.30 (75%)
This 12 month trial initiative is being jointly supported by all of the Train Operating Companies who want to provide access to increased UK discounted rail travel benefits for their employees as well as those safeguarded employees in other rail companies. The success of the trial will be evaluated in September 2015.
15 August 2014
