MSE News: Two Together Railcard to cut train fares for couples and friends

Quentin

No .

Mids_Costcutter

Quentin wrote: »

If they gave us those then all the fares would have to rise by two thirds (as every passenger would have one)!

Isn't that assuming that every passenger would make exactly the same number of journeys as they did before they had a railcard? When the Network Railcard (for the London and SE sector) was introduced by British Rail in 1986 it resulted in a significant increase in the number of off-peak journeys made by rail. If a national railcard was introduced for single travellers (who don't qualify for any of the other existing railcards) I'm sure it would also result in more travel and income for the train operators. Germany and the Netherlands have railcards available to anyone and see a much greater share of passenger travel made by rail than the UK. Yes, there will be other factors like network coverage, overcrowding, reliability etc. but the railcards will definitely be a factor.

Andyt1981

I bought one online on Tuesday and it arrived yesterday morning. I liked the fact that you can upload your own pictures rather than having to pay for a passport photo and take it to a ticket office.

It's easily worth the money for me as I live well outside the Network SE area and travel with the OH once or twice a month. I should make my money back within 4 or 5 trips.

The_Groat_Counter

Mids_Costcutter wrote: »

Is there any regulation which would prevent someone from holding a 16-25 and a Two Together railcard?

Absolutely not.

You could be one half of several Two Together Railcard duos, if you (and other willing people!) wished.

nputtick

Hello

I recently (Jan 14) bought a 3-year senior railcard for £70. I was 60 in December 2013, however my wife is 56 so is not eligible for a senior railcard. I have not used the card yet.

However I see there is now a couples railcard – Two Together. As we always travel together this would have been far better for us, but buying a Two together railcard now would render my senior railcard a complete waste of money! As this was only announced recently I do feel aggrieved at having spent £70 when we would have been much better off buying a Two together railcard on an annual basis. Had I known that the Two together card was going to be available I would of course have delayed my purchase.

So I have emailed Railcard to ask – can I have a refund of my senior railcard so I can buy a Two together card? Or at least can I convert my £70 3-year senior railcard to a 1-year card and have a £40 refund, so I can then buy a Two together card?

I am pretty unhappy about this, and yes I do understand the difference between the two products.

Mids_Costcutter

Let us know what happens. It would be interesting to hear how accommodating ATOC are on this issue.

nonsense_and_stuff

Looking at the validity descriptions, it looks like, unlike the 16-25 railcard I currently own but which I'll soon be ineligible for, this railcard won't be able to be loaded on to an oyster card to reduce the fares on trains and tubes and to reduce the oyster cap. Since the oyster fare is usually about a third less than the paper ticket, the railcard won't make me any better off than not having a railcard!

Dave_the_Ginger_Cat

nonsense_and_stuff wrote: »

Looking at the validity descriptions, it looks like, unlike the 16-25 railcard I currently own but which I'll soon be ineligible for, this railcard won't be able to be loaded on to an oyster card to reduce the fares on trains and tubes and to reduce the oyster cap. Since the oyster fare is usually about a third less than the paper ticket, the railcard won't make me any better off than not having a railcard!

Sadly true, it's mu8ch harder to enforce people travelling together on the underground as they are rarely checked

liz545

Ordered my railcard last week, and used it when booking tickets for two forthcoming journeys my partner and I are planning to East Anglia. As Greater Anglia trains aren't covered in the Network railcard area, this seems like the best option for us. On two return journeys the card's already saved us £35, so it's paid for itself! It's not an ideal system, but if you frequently travel as part of a couple, it's worth it.

yorkie2

nputtick wrote: »

...but buying a Two together railcard now would render my senior railcard a complete waste of money!... .

The Railcards have different T&Cs, with the Senior Railcard having more generous terms, but I agree it is a waste of money if you:
- always travel at or after 0930; and
- always travel with our partner; and
- do not use Oyster PAYG;

liz545 wrote: »

...As Greater Anglia trains aren't covered in the Network railcard area,...

Most Greater Anglia services do operate within the Network Railcard area, but I agree that many do not. It's a geographical area, and Greater Anglia cover both sides of the boundary!

nonsense_and_stuff wrote: »

...this railcard won't be able to be loaded on to an oyster card to reduce the fares on trains and tubes and to reduce the oyster cap. Since the oyster fare is usually about a third less than the paper ticket, the railcard won't make me any better off than not having a railcard!

You're correct that the Two Together Railcard does not provide any discounts for Oyster PAYG users.