Cheaper ticket victory for rail users group (This is South Devon 02/09/2010)

[whole diary]

[JayMac]

From This is South Devon:

A Rail users' group in Totnes has claimed victory in its fight to stop a rise in London-bound fares.

Totnes Rail Transport Group says it has persuaded First Great Western to change the rules so that passengers from South Devon can get cheap-rate early trains to London.

It follows a recent ^15 rise in the price of the walk-on Super Off-Peak tickets.

But the cheap-rate ticket passengers would not arrive until 3.24pm at the earliest by a direct train.

Now, the group has announced it has been successful in persuading First Great Western to change the rules. Both the 09.22 train and the one at 10.14 will, from December 12, qualify for the Super Off-Peak fare of ^68.70 instead of ^84. The cheaper fare structure will apply for anyone boarding these trains at any station from the start of the route at Penzance. Previously passengers could catch several earlier trains for the cheapest fare and arrive by lunchtime.

"The fares difference is more than ^15 from Totnes," said Ronnie Plagerson, Totnes Rail Transport Group's co-ordinator. "We pointed out to the railway company that this increase could be quite a hardship in this area."

Totnes Rail Transport Group says it works for the benefit of local rail passengers.

Ms Plagerson said: "We are concerned to maintain a balanced membership so that we can represent the views of all users, including students, business and leisure travellers."

Anyone interested in joining Totnes Rail Transport Group should email plagerson@bridgetown.eclipse.co.uk or call 01803 866786.

[devon_metro]

^15 in a wealthy catchment area being a hardship? 

[Henry]

   Perhaps that explains the increase in local Devon/Cornwall fares as from next week.

 

[devon_metro]

   Perhaps that explains the increase in local Devon/Cornwall fares as from next week.

 

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[Btline]

Good. These fare stealth rises are a disgrace and must be stopped.

Can someone please get the East Coast fares down please? A Stevenage to Durham SUPER Off Peak return is about ^90. That's daylight robbery and unacceptable.

[JayMac]

Perhaps that explains the increase in local Devon/Cornwall fares as from next week.

Expand...

Yes, Henry. Could you please give a source and some examples of these fares rises. I've done a check of about a dozen different fares for local journeys in Devon/Cornwall and have seen no increases.

[JayMac]

Good. These fare stealth rises are a disgrace and must be stopped.

Can someone please get the East Coast fares down please? A Stevenage to Durham SUPER Off Peak return is about ^90. That's daylight robbery and unacceptable.

Not aware that we have any stealth fares rises mentioned in this story. In fact we have an un-stealthy decrease. And I think you will be out of luck asking here to get East Coast fares reduced - I'd see if there's an East Coast Coffee Shop forum to pose that question - it'a a bit OT here!

I'm amazed that the OP^▸ (Original Poster / topic starter, or Off Peak, depending on context) has generated these negative replies. Not one post saying "well done" to FGW^▸ (First Great Western) for listening to passengers and readjusting the SSR timings.

Okay, I'll do it: Well done First Great Western! 

[old original]

Minus point -From Monday there are a few 10p & 20p rises on odd off peak journeys,  Truro - Falmouth being one.

Plus point - from January the Super-off peak times from the far west will be available on earlier services - but what rises are in store - RPI^▸ (Revenue Protection Inspector, or Retail Price Index, depending on context) + 1%??

[JayMac]

Thanks for that old original. I stand corrected. Apologies to Henry. 

A bit more digging and I've found that fares to three of the four Cornish branches are seeing this 10p/20p increase in the Off Peak fares, mostly from the main line station serving the branch and some surrounding stations. St Ives excepted. Haven't found any increases for journeys wholly on the Cornish main line.

In Devon, Exmouth and Paignton branches also see the increase.

Oh, and revisiting the original story. It says that FGW^▸ (First Great Western) are introducing the reduced Supers from the timetable change and not the January fares round. Won't that be a bit difficult to implement?

[super tm]

.

Oh, and revisiting the original story. It says that FGW^▸ (First Great Western) are introducing the reduced Supers from the timetable change and not the January fares round. Won't that be a bit difficult to implement?

Not really.  There are 3 fares rounds a year and they are introducing them in the September Fares round. 

[JayMac]

Are you sure super tm? I've just checked online booking engines and the Super Off Peak from Totnes to Paddington is the same price for tomorrow and post 5th Sept, with the same time restrctions, ie: first direct arrival at 1524.

[old original]

I correct myself, the adjustment to the time restrictions on super off peak will take place in December, BEFORE Januarys fare adjustments

[Btline]

Sorry to add the negative EC comment. I was simply flabbergasted when I saw that ^90 fare!

FGW^▸ (First Great Western) should be congratulated for easing the restrictions here. EC should follow suit. Their Super Off Peak fare should become valid on Anytime trains!

[devon_metro]

EC should follow suit. Their Super Off Peak fare should become valid on Anytime trains!

"How to go Bankrupt in one day" by Btline, available in all good bookstoors.

[Btline]

Chapter One. The easiest way to go bankrupt is to catch the train from Stevenage to Durham. No need to go in the rush hour, the Super Off Peak fare will bankrupt you almost as quick, but you have a slightly higher chance of getting a seat!