Completely changed train fare structure. How does it affect you?

digitaltoast

Another update - I now have a reply from passenger focus.
2 months to not read my letter properly! My point was that the fare had gone from £12 to £21, then after MANY hours of calling and harrasment, XC admitted a mistake and the £21 become £17.50. But I also pointed out that I now have to book A>B B>C to get the price of the old A>C fare, otherwise it's about £15 more! I also pointed out what a general nightmare the whole simplification thing was, and could we please have the old system back as I don't really want to pay nearly £1000 more a year for the new system. This was their reply:

Thank you for your complaint with Cross Country which we received in this office on 3 June. I have now had the opportunity to review your complaint.

I understand you are unhappy about the availability of the Value Advance fares on a number of your routes. I can understand your frustration as these fares do represent great value for money if you're able to get them.

With the advance fares, there is limited quota on some services and they are not a guaranteed fare. I'm aware that the quota does change depending on whether the service is busy and whether it's a peak time service or not. If it is a busy service, they are unlikely to offer advance fares as this could cause further problems like overcrowding.

Because the train companies advertise these fares as 'subject to availability' there are no ground in which we can enforce them to make more available. However, we are very much aware of the importance of these fares to passengers and the benefits they bring, considering the cost of a standard fare.

I would like to clarify that these fare increases are not due to the simplification of the fares. The train companies were due to review their fares and they have done this at the same time of the simplification. We did ask them not to do this as we knew it would cause confusion and discredit the whole simplification of fares process, which is something we have long campaigned for.

Thank you for your comments and I hope I have clarified our position on this.

Is that a toothless watchdog or what?!

McKneff

the whole business is an absolute farce. Something should be done about it
but what do we do.

digitaltoast

anniehanlon wrote: »

the whole business is an absolute farce. Something should be done about it
but what do we do.

The press. I got it in the Telegraph, maybe someone else can do another? Any journalists here?
What about writing (write, not call!) to Passenger Focus - they were the ones that started all this! A letter is better.

McKneff

do you have an address for passenger focus

digitaltoast

anniehanlon wrote: »

do you have an address for passenger focus

Yes, they have a website, which can be found by entering the words "passenger focus" into google. I've done it for you and found the following:
http://www.passengerfocus.org.uk/contact-us/

Unhappy with a train company's response to your complaint?
Our passenger helpline is open 8am – 8pm Monday – Friday and 8am – 4pm weekends.

Telephone: 08453 022 022

Fax: 0845 850 1392

Email: [EMAIL="info@passengerfocus.org.uk"]info@passengerfocus.org.uk[/EMAIL]

Write to:
Passenger Focus
FREEPOST (RRRE-ETTC-LEET)
PO BOX 4257
Manchester
M60 3AR