What did they mean?

[whole diary]

[Trowres]

From the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about)'s fares consultation:

The Government is already working with train operators and others to understand better the kind of smart tickets that are likely to appeal to passengers...These could include...^frequent flyer points^ for less frequent users...

[grahame]

Why is it that I seem to post serious replies in "The Lighter side"

I think they're looking - as they should at markets like the part-timer.

If I do 10 days work (1 day per week) in London, commute in peak from Chippenham and I'm not sure what time train I'll be getting home, I'll pay around 1460.00 in total.

If I do 10 days work (5 days per week) in London, commute in peak from Chippenham and I'm not sure what time train I'll be getting home, I'll pay around 466.40 in total.

Why should it cost a part-timer nearly a thousand pounds more?  They're getting the same amount of product, after all ...

With a car, you buy the car and invest the capital, so each additional journey is relatively cheap.  With rail travel, there is the 25 - 60, employed, living in the UK^▸ (United Kingdom), able bodied, not in the forces, travelling alone, assorted rather than regular daily journey, group who have to pay full whack every time.  And, yes, there's scope for some sort of loyalty scheme. 

But - can we keep it simple, please?  A resident's railcard, purchasable by anyone who lives in the UK, and offering percentage off all single and return rail tickets.  Perhaps even Bronze, Silver and Gold cards - cost 50, 150 and 300 pounds annually, offering 10%, 20% and 33% off?

[JayMac]

I think Trowres was highlighting the oxymoron of having frequent flyer points for less frequent users.

That's to say nothing of the use of the word 'flyer' when referring to rail passengers.

[ellendune]

I think Trowres was highlighting the oxymoron of having frequent flyer points for less frequent users.

That's to say nothing of the use of the word 'flyer' when referring to rail passengers.

I thought he was using the word in the same sense as in the former named express service from Paddingon through Swindon to Cheltenham which was called the Cheltenham Flyer.  Fast stage coach (not the current bus compnay of that name) services were also sometimes called Flier.

[eightf48544]

Indirectly they are also probably obliquely reffering to the ITSO smart card and the mess they are in with implementation especialy in London with its incomaptible Oyster^▸ (Smartcard system used by passengers on Transport for London services) card.

One thing that's certain is that with the current fare structure all the restrictions etc. It's going to have to be a really SMART card. Unfortunately it will be programmed by people.

imagine the arguments when the passenger's card disagrees with the TMs^▸ (Train Manager, or Ticket Machine, or Temple Meads (Bristol), depending on context) reader.

Oyster works because fares within London are universal and zonal.