Club 55

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

Thanks very much for that confirmation, Ollie - but any chance of us knowing the official reasoning behind that decision?

[Ollie]

I don't have full details Chris sorry. AFAIK^▸ (as far as I know) the only First Group TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company) that has done Club 55 this time round is ScotRail? As each First Group franchise serves different markets the promotions that suit will vary. Despite Club 55 not running it is still possible to get good value fares. e.g ^15 Paddington to Penzance Advance single. (1/3 off with railcard).

[grahame]

Arriva Trains (Wales) Club 55 is available at present - until 9th December and then from 6th January to 29th March 2013 - see http://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/Club55/FAQs/ .

If Club 55 is regarded as being a marketing promotion (tempting customers to try at a cheap price, and then buy again in the future), then it could be a sound financial decison of FGW^▸ (First Great Western) not to run it for the final (?) year of the franchise (speculation). Scotrail runs a further 15 months - to November 2014.  Not sure about TransPennine - Spring 2014? Arriva's Wales franchise runs to 2018, with plenty of time to see returning year-round travel from the (currenly) 55 to 59 agegroup.  And of course the balance / metrics could differ in the spring, and could differ again if there are extensions to the franchise because of the current pause.

Even from FGW land, those of us who are disqualified from any of the railcard products, but are over 55, can take advantage of the Arriva trains offering in certain circumstances.  I'm planning a midweek break on the Welsh coast in March - to drive, or to train?  At current prices, it's going to cost me:
EITHER 19 pounds return, Melksham to Newport + 17 pounds return, Newport to Penhelig, Club 55 = 36 pounds
OR ... 149 pounds return, Melksham to Penhelig
And, yes, there's an abundance of other special products too as Ollie reminds us - almost overwhelming at times!

[Maxwell P]

No Club Coffin Dodger this year, (and before anyone starts griping at that I am 60 myself).  Far less outlay on First Class complimentary snacks, far fewer confused passengers lumbering around with bags they can't carry and far fewer passengers asking if the train stops at Penzance.  Heaven!

[bobm]

From GetReading.

The unfortunate choice of advert which was served up with this story....

[grahame]

Far less outlay on First Class complimentary snacks

Far less income from people who would not otherwise have travelled.

Far fewer confused passengers lumbering around with bags they can't carry

Far more people (like your mum and dad perhaps) stuck bored in their homes rather then enjoying a few days away

Far fewer passengers asking if the train stops at Penzance.

Err .. perhaps not a bad question. I can't recall the last time a train called at my local station that also stopped at Penzance! 

Heaven!

Depends how you look at it ... I find it really fabulous introducing rail travel to people who've never used the train before, or haven't done so for many years.

[grahame]

Back for First in Scotland later this week.  Will it be back for First in the West of England too?

http://www.scotrail.co.uk/club55-insight-may

[broadgage]

Nothing advised about in FGW^▸ (First Great Western) land..

Fingers crossed it stays that way!

Why don't you want to encourage rail travel in the quite months?

Well I was not so keen on paying the full first class fare and then being expected to stand by those only a few years older than me who had paid very much less.

[Phil]

Having just turned 55 a few weeks ago, I'm quite keen to see it reinstated and enjoy what is, as far as I'm aware, the first and only "privilege" an employed white able-bodied middle-class male is eligible for between attaining maturity* and the ever diminishing pensionable age.

I completely understand that I'm very much in the minority with this view, however

*agreed there is some debate over whether this has actually occurred in my case

[trainer]

I'm with you Phil.  Although I am now able to take advantage of the Senior Rail Card, for years I resented not being able to take advantage of any kind of discounted travel on the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) railways and I actually did not use the trains for anything other than travelling to London on my annual holiday and an occasional rover ticket.  It was better value to go abroad and use the Swiss railways!

However, a small concession now and again can encourage people to 'rediscover' trains and boost income.  It is a shame that some posters associated being 55 as the age at which one can no longer carry bags and only after that age does one wish to seek reassurance from staff that you are on the right train.  I believe we must try not to lump all young/old/disabled/blind/deaf/etc people into streotypical caricatures (and I'm sure I can be guilty of this from time to time).

[JayMac]

Having just turned 55 a few weeks ago, I'm quite keen to see it reinstated and enjoy what is, as far as I'm aware, the first and only "privilege" an employed white able-bodied middle-class male is eligible for between attaining maturity and the ever diminishing pensionable age.

You are already well into the eligibility period for the Sun Life Over 50 Plan as touted by Sir Michael Parkinson, most often on Channel 4 during episodes of Countdown and Deal or No Deal. Don't forget - you get a Parker pen just for applying.

Oh, and there's the various benefits and offers available from the Saga Group. 

[bobm]

Don't start me off on those Over 50 plans....  get reminded about them too often!! 

[Phil]

Oh believe me, I applied to RIAS, Saga and everyone else I could think of once I passed 50 in order to get the cheaper car insurance I was promised by the ads.

But, no. Apparently the old Land Rover that I drive is classified as a "van", and as such is exempt from any offers available to older drivers. Grrr.

Sorry, straying off topic there I know...

[grahame]

What makes a cliff more dangerous is the relatively long sudden drop from top to bottom or - when Club 55 is running - the sudden change in fares from aged 54 and three quarters to 55 and a quarter.

Many posters have suggested that the Club 55 ticket should not be provided - thus removing this dangerous cliff.   But how about removing the long drop by tackling it the other way - lowering the top of the hill?  There are so many other dangerous cliffs off the top on this top-priced hill; there are green and pleasant pastures for the familiy, for the forces, for children, for the disabled, for people who live in the South East (yeah, right - the standard of living there makes them really deserving of special treatment!), for people who travel the same route numerous times per week, for staff, for people who are not UK^▸ (United Kingdom) residents.   

Fix so many of those by offering products - perhaps with a somewhat lower discount than other railcards - an "anyone" card, where the single criterion is an ability to fund the purchase.  You'll increase offpeak ridership and (staff members here please note), you may do so with people who won't require quite so much customer service.

Typically, I travel whether or not club 55 is running.  But if it's running, I'm more likely to use the train and less likely to drive.   This week, I've decided that 2 x 96 pounds isn't on for trips to Oxford, and I've driven and am staying.   I know I could have save a bit with splits and perhaps singles.  And I also know that at 15 or 20 pounds return per day, I would probably have occupied a seat in a train which will be otherwise unoccupied. P.S. The journey is 60 miles, so the 96 pound fare is 80p per mile.

[froome]

I am signed up for offers from Arriva Trains and have just received an email from them advertising their Club 55 as being available. However, the days it is available is from September 6th to November 1st, so they are just letting those who have opted to be told about it one and a half months after the offer started and just two weeks before it finishes!