Great Western Coffee Shop

My husband's (plastic) Disabled Railcard was dispatched on Saturday 25 September and has not arrived by today, Friday 1 October.  I phoned Disabled Railcard this afternoon to be told to wait seven working days, not five as stated, and to phone back on Tuesday 5th.  We travel on Monday 11th.  I was also told that if a replacement were sent by Special Delivery, it would be at my expense, and I think the cost was £6.85.  You can imagine that I was none too pleased.

The railcard might turn up tomorrow, and the problem will be solved, but does anyone have any suggestions to make, while I wait for Tuesday?

Excess tickets to non-railcard if already purchased and claim the cost back afterwards or purchase full price tickets and claim back the difference under the railcard left at home procedure (allowed once in any 12 month rolling period; though I'd ask that not to be counted under these circumstances).

Just had a look at the FAQs regarding delivery of Disabled Person's Railcard. They say:

https://www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk/help/faqs/how-long-do-i-have-to-wait-for-my-railcard-to-arrive/


So, up to 10 working days according to that.

If you've already purchased discounted tickets and travel without the Railcard then you may be charged for new tickets and could receive a Penalty Fare. These additional payments can be claimed back from the Train Operating Company on production of the Railcard later. This goodwill gesture can only be invoked once in a 12 month period.

Here's hoping your Railcard arrives before date of travel.

As a general note to others. I'd recommend getting a digital Railcard. Instant delivery.

Do we need a reference page for Excess tickets?

The knowledgeable on the forum talk about them quite easily, but for the rest of us and new members they are possibly a complete mystery.

Probably similar for easements, although that is an even more complex topic.

We probably do - excessing and easement FAQ?

Many thanks to those who have replied to my query.  I did phone Passenger Assist at Great Western Railway and Cross Country, the belt and braces approach, to ask about excessing.  Both told me to do it on the train via the train manager, should the Disabled Railcard not turn up.  GWR couldn't tell me what type of fare we would have to excess to (an anytime single?) and XC said it couldn't be an advance fare, which our current tickets are.

I don't have a smart phone to have downloaded the railcard to, on the grounds that we are not out much to need one, but perhaps I shall have to reconsider my possibly pig-headed stance.

 

Well, the Disabled Railcard was delivered today, nine days after it was supposed to have been dispatched.  The envelope isn't franked with a date to confirm this.  Husband and I are pleased to have it (the card covers the two of us) so will cease our whingeing.

Good news!

That really is unhelpful.  There is not supposed to be a way of excessing a fare to remove a railcard discount, the conditions of carriage are quite clear that if no railcard is carried then a new ticket is to be sold, and a refund given afterwards (limited to only once per year) if entitlement can be proved retrospectively.

As is often the case TOC helplines, Twitter reps etc etc are often worse than useless about detailed fares rules.

Paul