Simplified train fares ripoff scam price rises
April 30, 2008 3:35 pmThe Association of Train Operating Companies have announced a “simplification” of the fares - see also Rail fares ’set to be simplified’ (BBC)
Basically, despite the nonsense from AOTOC and Passenger Focus “welcoming” this move, it has meant BIG increases, in some cases DOUBLE the cheapest fare.
I spoke today to AOTOC, passenger focus and CrossCountry trains - this is well worth listening to if you are in any doubt that this new ticketing system is a scam:
Examples:
SINGLE JOURNEY from Oxford (OXF) to Aberystwyth (AYW)
Currently: £10 After 18th April: £20.50
SINGLE JOURNEY from Reading (RDG) to Shrewsbury (SHR)
Currently: £10, After 18th April:£18.00
It doesn’t appear to apply to ALL fares, for example, Reading to Castle Cary seems unaffected.
I would be interested to know if YOUR journey will be affected:
Using the fares finder, you can check what the CHEAPEST available price will be BEFORE the 18th of May.
If you add the option to select 5 days, you could try, say:
12th May, 16th May, 26th May, 21st June, 21st July
If you see the cheapest prices available only BEFORE the 18th of May, you will know you’re probably onto a loser.
So, next step is to pick a date WAY into the future, say a mid-day in June, and find the cheapest fare (using the “show all fares” button)
And that is your new fare. If you are affected, post details below and if you want, add to the thread here:
How did I find this and how did I know I’m not just making a mistake and getting unlucky on the dates? As I passed through Reading earlier I asked the booking office why I couldn’t find these cheap fares, and they explained about the 18th of May, and that many of the cheapest tickets had been merged into a higher price. And the thing that really got me was that a ticket supervisor made me feel almost like I should have been grateful to have got the lower price - “not everyone can get these cheap tickets you get - it just makes it fairer on everyone”.
Oh, right, so everyone who bothers to plan in advance is penalised (on certain journeys, it seems).
Finally, as if a doubling of the fares themselves wasn’t enough…from ICWales:
“…among the changes being introduced are a ban on refunds for cancelled pre-booked business and first class tickets.First Great Western – along with other UK operators Virgin, East Midlands Trains and TransPennine Express – currently offer refunds on their standard and first class pre-booked business tickets but will no longer do so under the new no-refund policy.
There is also likely to be an increase in the cost of changing journey times for return tickets bought in advance with some UK operators, with many routes doubling from £10 to £20″
PLEASE call Passenger Focus on 08453 022 022 and Crosscountry Trains on 0121 6547400 and also ATOC on (020) 7841 8000 as well as writing to your MP.
