I am being reported for fraud by SETrains!

ImFrugal

I went to buy a season ticket for Ryde Esplanade to Ryde St Johns Road today for £116 at Dartford station. This entitles me to a 34% off all off peak travel within the participating train companies areas (including southeasterntrains). When I was probed by the ticket office staff at the station they insisted that I could only use the discount on the Isle of Wight and would be reporting me for fraud.

When I asked of they would give me a discount for a single from Dartford to London Bridge the answer was no! (although a ticket machine would have no problem with this).

I hope that they are just showing their ignorance of the Gold Card Holders T&C's http://www.thetrainline.com/season/info/st_gold_card_benefits.asp
and that this "benefit" has not been removed. I notice that it is no longer on the Cheap Train Tickets page on this site.

Wig

No idea what you're talking about, suggest you save that webpage if it bears out what you are saying. save as an html. and print it out.

So write a letter to whoever is incharge of the discount card include a printout highlighting the relevant T&C, complain about being treated as a criminal by the ticket office staff. It should go away.

ImFrugal

Thanks - I have saved a copy - although it is available on most train companies websites. I will only complain if does come to anything. I'm not sure exactly what grounds they will use - all I have done is purchase an annual gold card.

ImFrugal

Here is a snippet from the Guardian - the whole article is available here:

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/travelog/

"My favourite for its delicious absurdity is to buy a season ticket for the three-minute trip from Ryde St Johns Road to Ryde Esplanade on the Isle of Wight. Transport consultant Barry Doe explained to me that dozens of people from all parts of the country had paid £116 for this ticket, which then entitles them to a Gold Card and a third off almost all off-peak rail fares all across the UK. If you are a reasonably regular traveller you soon save more than the cost of the season ticket."

I work shifts and travel to work off peak. I only work 7 days a fortnight so there is no point in getting a season ticket for the journey (Dartford - London Bridge) at £1550.

moonrakerz

ImFrugal wrote:

When I was probed by the ticket office staff at the station they insisted that I could only use the discount on the Isle of Wight and would be reporting me for fraud.

Would suggest you go back, ask for the Station Master and say that they should be prepared to repeat the accusation of fraud in front of a witness or supply you with the ticket AND an apology !

What you are doing is a little bit cheeky, but is permissable under the rules.

Cheeky b*****s !

ImFrugal

If I'm being cheeky then so "was" Martin Lewis. Here is the article which google cached which was on this website until very recently:

"Gold Cards. There's another trick if you make many shorter journeys around the South East or like to travel first class. Holders of 'gold cards' - annual season tickets for specific journeys within the South East - can get a third off South East travel after 10am and can also upgrade to first class for £3. Unlike with a network railcard, there's no minimum fare.

Now the sneaky bit: the cheapest annual season ticket in the South East is between Ryde Esplanade and St John's Road in the Isle of Wight, at £112. You can buy this ticket at any UK station, never go anywhere near the Isle of Wight and you'll still qualify for all the gold card discounts. Read a full list of Gold Card T&Cs."

Note the slightly cheaper price from before the fair went up.
This has now been taken off this website - does anyone know why?

ImFrugal

I have just rung National Rail Enquiries and they confirm that any gold card (annual season ticket) within the Network Card area:
http://www.railcard.co.uk/network/Network%20Railcard%20area%20map(2004).pdf
can be used to obtain a 3rd off the price of any single fair within that area.

Mojo29

ImFrugal wrote:

Here is a snippet from the Guardian - the whole article is available here:

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/travelog/

"My favourite for its delicious absurdity is to buy a season ticket for the three-minute trip from Ryde St Johns Road to Ryde Esplanade on the Isle of Wight. Transport consultant Barry Doe explained to me that dozens of people from all parts of the country had paid £116 for this ticket, which then entitles them to a Gold Card and a third off almost all off-peak rail fares all across the UK. If you are a reasonably regular traveller you soon save more than the cost of the season ticket."

I work shifts and travel to work off peak. I only work 7 days a fortnight so there is no point in getting a season ticket for the journey (Dartford - London Bridge) at £1550.

That Guardian article is incorrect - the discount is only valid in a certain area (mostly of South East England & London) - however, there are other exceptions, going down to Exeter (SWTrains line only), and a season ticket up to Swindon from Reading, London or any other stations on the line will be issued as a gold card, but GC discounts aren't valid (however, this only applies if bought from any station in the Network area (Ie: NOT Swindon).

ImFrugal

Well I've been using the the gold card now to get 34% off off-peak travel for over six weeks and had my ticket inspected on a number of occasions with no problems.

tobiascurious

What was the outcome, did they report you for fraud?

wealdroam

tobiascurious wrote: »

What was the outcome, did they report you for fraud?

Please don't hold your breath while waiting for an answer to your question.

ImFrugal has not logged on to this site for over three years now.

:beer: