disabled train pass question - accompanying adult

preciousillusions

Hi all,

Just a quick query that I hoped someone could help me with, hope it's okay that I am starting a whole new thread for it but thought it might go unread elsewhere.

Tomorrow I am travelling to London with a friend. I am boarding at a station that is just ten minutes in front of the station she will board at on the same journey line as she lives elsewhere. I have a disabled train pass and as my accompanying person I know she should be able to also receive a discount on her fare. However, I am thinking she will have trouble purchasing her ticket as she will not have me/my pass with her? Is this going to mean I will have to arrive on an earlier train to meet her so we can purchase tickets together from that station? As I can do this if needs be but it will be rather annoying and obviously best if there's any other way around it. If she explained at the ticket office that she is boarding the train to travel with a disabled person would they let he purchase the discounted ticket? As obviously she'd be with me for any ticket inspecting processes later and when we go through the barriers in London.

Any ideas, or experiences people can share? I am sure this can't be a hugely unusual situation. Thanks so much for any replies in advance!

Indie_Kid

She'll need the railcard to purchase a discounted ticket.

DomRavioli

OP - you would have to get an earlier train. The train staff have no proof that she is travelling with a disabled person, or one with a DRC; nor can you provide any (they won't take a photocopy, and you need your original to get on the train and purchase your ticket)

If this was a planned trip, why doesn't she get a train to your station (being that its only 10 minutes away) and you both board there? Surely that would be the cheapest and most efficient way?

cattie

Or is it possible for your friend just to buy a ticket to the station you are getting on at & pr-arrange what carriage she will be in, ie; 2nd from front.

Then if you buy 2 tickets to London from your station & get in the carriage you know she'll be travelling in. If you did this, she could always lean out of the open door of the carriage when the train stops so you'll know for sure which carriage she is in.

tinkledom

cattie wrote: »

Or is it possible for your friend just to buy a ticket to the station you are getting on at & pr-arrange what carriage she will be in, ie; 2nd from front.

Then if you buy 2 tickets to London from your station & get in the carriage you know she'll be travelling in. If you did this, she could always lean out of the open door of the carriage when the train stops so you'll know for sure which carriage she is in.

Exactly!!


Buy two tickets at the same time to get the discount. Keep her ticket in your pocket till she gets on then give it her.


This goes on regularly on the commuter trains up to London and back every day. Buy 2 tickets - get 30% off each one. Then charge your travelling companion after only deducting 15%


That way you both make a bit.

viz:

Normal return £36, with an ADC it comes down to £25.20. Charge your travelling commuter companion £30.60 and you both make £5.40 per day. Not bad, an extra £27.00 a week in your pocket.

Cyclamen

I don't know much about train travel .. but can see there might be a potential problem..
if the purpose of the discount was that you needed assistance with the journey on the train.. if that is the case wont they question the fact that she is not boarding with you? although logically you are likely to need help at the other end.

how is she getting to her station.. could she just drive to yours and board with you?

tinkledom

Cyclamen wrote: »

I don't know much about train travel .. but can see there might be a potential problem..
if the purpose of the discount was that you needed assistance with the journey on the train.. if that is the case wont they question the fact that she is not boarding with you? although logically you are likely to need help at the other end.

how is she getting to her station.. could she just drive to yours and board with you?

Of all the years and times I have used my card, no one has ever questioned if the person I am travelling with is helping me off the train. I regularly travel on my own from the South coast to London St Pancras, get a taxi to London Euston, get a train to Manchester Piccadilly, change platforms, cross a bridge and get my final connection to Bolton.


Besides which, for all intents and purposes when she shows her ticket (that you bought from your station), it will show that she appears to have got on the train with you - the train manager has enough problems without entering into a conversation about any disability you have and what the companion intends to do.

nannytone_2

i have a disabled persons railcard and have NEVER$ been asked to show it.
i always travel alone and book assistance to get me on/off the train

Indie_Kid

I think I've been asked to show it a few times. Well, they call out for railcards and tickets.

nannytone_2

i always just show my ticket... its never been questioned

Parva

tinkledom wrote: »

Of all the years and times I have used my card, no one has ever questioned if the person I am travelling with is helping me off the train. I regularly travel on my own from the South coast to London St Pancras, get a taxi to London Euston, get a train to Manchester Piccadilly, change platforms, cross a bridge and get my final connection to Bolton.


Besides which, for all intents and purposes when she shows her ticket (that you bought from your station), it will show that she appears to have got on the train with you - the train manager has enough problems without entering into a conversation about any disability you have and what the companion intends to do.

Purleeze moderators, can't you dispense with this idot? It's obviously a sport to him, for me I have to live with the disability I have unwantedly been given but the Andy's of this world should at least be getting some payback for their consistent harassment, please at least pm me the IP in order that I can file an @abuse complaint.