Two Together Railcard national rollout, March 2014

[whole diary]

[didcotdean]

Reported that the Two Together card won't have a minimum fare like Network & 16-25 cards.

Why have it starting at 9:30 though, when the Network Card starts at 10:00 and off-peak often starts at 9:00?

[bobm]

I agree it does seem odd to add another complication to an already complex system by having a different time restriction.

[SDS]

Validity
Can I travel with my Two Together Railcard at any time of the day?
You can travel on Two Together Railcard discounted tickets from 09:30am Monday to Friday and at
any time on weekends and public holidays. Two Together Railcard discounted tickets cannot be
used between 04:30am and 09:30am Monday to Fridays (excluding public holidays).
So Simon Calder is apparently wrong about advance tickets.

Why can^t the Two Together Railcard be used before 09.30 Monday to Friday?
The Two Together Railcard is designed to encourage leisure journeys which tend to take place after
the busy morning peak period.
 
Can I travel with a Two Together Railcard discounted ticket in the evening peak?
Yes, providing your ticket type is valid during the evening peak you should be able to travel. The only
restriction with the Two Together Railcard is during the morning peak period.

Is there a minimum fare?
There is no minimum fare for Two Together Railcard discounted tickets.
 
Can I use my Railcard on any Train Company?
Yes, you can.
[hex included??]
 
Can I purchase First Class tickets with my Railcard?
Yes, First Class tickets can be purchased using your Two Together Railcard.

[bobm]

Can I purchase First Class tickets with my Railcard?
Yes, First Class tickets can be purchased using your Two Together Railcard.

Hadn't spotted that before - that clinches it for me to get one.  (Once I find someone brave enough to travel with me!  )

[grahame]

Can I purchase First Class tickets with my Railcard?
Yes, First Class tickets can be purchased using your Two Together Railcard.

Hadn't spotted that before - that clinches it for me to get one.  (Once I find someone brave enough to travel with me!  )

I would, but ...

The discount applies only when both of you travel together. Any variation ^ such as only one of you making the return journey ^ renders the discounted tickets invalid.

... I don't think we can use it if you're up the posh end and I'm in standard.  "Together" would imply the same train to me (our party of 4 was split between 2 carriages last weekend, no problem on groupsave 4), but then it says "ANY variation" ...

[bobm]

Anyone know if it will offer discounts on Rovers?

[SDS]

Anyone know if it will offer discounts on Rovers?

Prob if you both have the same rover. I doubt it. Nothing however in the brief that says otherwise. But then it doesn't say it IS valid.

[JayMac]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

'Two Together Railcard' goes on sale

A new national railcard allowing two people travelling together to save a third on train fares has gone on sale.

The ^30-a-year "Two Together Railcard" can be used on journeys after 09:30 on weekdays and all day at weekends by two named and photographed people.

Railcards were previously only available to those under 26, over 60, disabled, serving in the armed forces or travelling with children.

It is the first new national railcard to be launched for 30 years.

The new card can be used to save on standard and first class anytime, off-peak and advance tickets for travel throughout Britain after 9.30am Monday to Friday and all day on weekends and bank holidays.

For example, two super off-peak single tickets from Birmingham New Street to London Euston, which would normally cost ^45.80, would cost ^30.50 - a saving of ^15.30 - for two passengers using the new railcard.

Two advance single tickets from Newcastle to Leeds will now cost ^14.50 - saving ^7.50.

David Mapp, commercial director at the Association of Train Operating Companies, said: "It's ideal for visiting family and friends, day trips or weekend breaks, so the Two Together Railcard will encourage more people to leave the car at home and take the train instead.

"As well as savings on rail travel, the new railcard also offers savings on attractions, theatre shows, restaurants, hotels and more."

Any two people can apply to buy the railcard - whether they are a couple, relatives, colleagues who regularly share a trip or commute, or two friends who regularly travel together. But the discount will only apply to journeys they are on together.

[bobm]

Railcards were previously only available to those under 26, over 60, disabled, serving in the armed forces or travelling with children.

It is the first new national railcard to be launched for 30 years.

Slightly badly worded, but there is of course the Network card which is available to all ages, although not of course valid nationally.  I assume this was the last card launched 30 years ago they refer to!

Anyhow, the website http://www.railcard.co.uk/ is now live for applications for the new card.

Wonder how long it will be before you can book tickets on line using it.

[JayMac]

Wonder how long it will be before you can book tickets on line using it.

Now. If you use redspottedhanky.com. 

[brompton rail]

Anyone know if it will offer discounts on Rovers?

Prob if you both have the same rover. I doubt it. Nothing however in the brief that says otherwise. But then it doesn't say it IS valid.

Buried deep in the "types of tickets" section it list which can attract discount (Anytime, Off Peak, Super Off Peak, Advance etc), and those that don't - Oyster^▸ (Smartcard system used by passengers on Transport for London services), ..... 'Most Rovers and Rangers! No definition of " most "!

[bobm]

Wonder how long it will be before you can book tickets on line using it.

Now. If you use redspottedhanky.com. 

I must admit I can't see the discount on there, however I am told they will be available on FGW^▸ (First Great Western) WebTIS tomorrow (Tuesday).

[JayMac]

It would appear that it is only on 'old skool' redspottedhanky.com. That is, the original and best 'Mixing Deck' version. Why they had to change I don't know. Unless RSH wanted to differentiate their own product from the third party ones they provide. Some editing of cookies may be needed to get the Mixing Deck version to load as default. I have the following bookmarked:

http://tickets.redspottedhanky.com/rsh/en/journeyplanning/mixingdeck

[JayMac]

Also, there's a couple of promo codes floating around that'll get you a 10% discount on the Two Together Railcard if you buy online.

Codes are LEAFLET3 or FRIENDS

I have checked and both are currently working. No idea how long they will remain valid for though.

[JayMac]

It now appears that 'Two Together' is an option on the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) booking engine. And it is applying the discount to the various Rovers and Rangers that can be purchased via FGW online. Except the 'All Line Rover' products.