Free travel arrangements for staff on different TOCs.

[RPI]

Further to the comments above, if a monthly season ticket (7-day seasons are not allowed at Priv rate) doesn't look the best value, you do have the option of a Flexi-season. If you want that you either need a TOC smartcard to buy it at a station or a RSTL smartcard so that you can buy online, with the latter option giving much more flexibility.

Beat me to it, I generally buy one of these as I drive sometimes, the priv rate Flexi basically allows you the price of the priv day return, but available for residential travel - which obviously a priv day return isn't valid if going to or from work.

 

[Haywain]

Beat me to it, I generally buy one of these as I drive sometimes, the priv rate Flexi basically allows you the price of the priv day return, but available for residential travel - which obviously a priv day return isn't valid if going to or from work.

One of the few good things about Flexi-seasons is that staff can get them at Priv rate! Even if you're not using all 8 days it's a very big saving over a few Anytime Day Returns at public rate (saving in 2 days for me!).

 

[niceman]

A discounted season ticket, known as "residential" travel. You need to submit form number XX01 here and get approval from RSTL. In the form, you can choose whether you want to buy the season ticket via RST Online or at a ticket office.

If you choose to buy it via RST Online, you can renew your season ticket online without having to fill in form XX01 again. If you choose to buy it at a ticket office, you'll have to fill in form XX01 and wait for the approval to come through, each time you renew your season ticket.

Beat me to it, I generally buy one of these as I drive sometimes, the priv rate Flexi basically allows you the price of the priv day return, but available for residential travel - which obviously a priv day return isn't valid if going to or from work.

Some different options to look into to here.

I'm in a similar situation but I won't need to use the rail everyday. As the particular TOC do not run early enough on some days.

Would I be correct In saying the 2nd option which has-been presented by you guys today is the best. ?

The 'priv-rate' flexi season.

And I need to purchase a smart card before I can buy it. ?

Is it just a case of it being cheaper than the other option, the monthly season ticket?

Thanks

 

[Haywain]

And I need to purchase a smart card before I can buy it. ?

You do not purchase a smartcard, they are free of charge and I would recommend getting one of the RSTL smartcards as that gives you far greater flexibility over buying a Flexi-season, with no requirement to submit a paper request 7 days in advance.

Is it just a case of it being cheaper than the other option, the monthly season ticket?

A Flexi-season gives you 8 days travel within a 28 day period. It is, obviously, somewhat cheaper than a monthly season which gives you the full month of travel. The Flexi-season is best loaded onto a smartcard, which you need to activate each day before you use it - if your starting station has barriers it will activate at the barrier. Ultimately, it's about convenience and not spending money you don't need to. It's a happy medium between a Priv-rate monthly season and public rate day tickets.

 

[Watershed]

Thanks all. Some great options to look into to.

I'm in a similar situation that I won't need to use the rail everyday. As the particular TOC do not run early enough on some days.

So would I be correct In saying the 2nd option which has-been presented to me by you guys today is the best. ?

The 'priv-rate' flexi season.

It would certainly be a good option under those circumstances. However, depending on your age and the time your shifts start/end, you might be able to get a discount off the public fare - possibly even an Off-Peak fare, depending on the time of day - using Railcards.

Since season tickets are priced based on Anytime fares, you may find that Railcard discounted Off-Peak fares aren't a huge amount more expensive than a Priv-discounted Flexi Season. It's worth doing the sums to work out what your best option is.

And I need to purchase a smart card before I can buy it. ?

You don't pay for it (it's free) but yes, you need one if you want to buy the Flexi Season through RST Online.

Is it just a case of it being cheaper than the other option, the monthly season ticket?

Thanks

It's more expensive per day than a monthly season ticket, sometimes substantially so - it varies depending on the journey.

The default cost of a Flexi Season, which covers 8 days, is 7× the cost of an Anytime (Day) Return - so you effectively get a 12.5% discount (plus the Priv discount). However the cost is also linked to the cost of a weekly/monthly season ticket, both in terms of the maximum and minimum discount offered; see my post from 2021 analysing the pricing.

If you only need a ticket 2 days a week for example, then the likelihood is that it will work out cheaper overall. But you'll have to do the sums to work out which exactly option works out cheapest.

 

[Haywain]

you need one if you want to buy the Flexi Season through RST Online.

You need one if you want to buy a Flexi-season at a station as well.

If you only need a ticket 2 days a week for example, then the likelihood is that it will work out cheaper overall. But you'll have to do the sums to work out which exactly option works out cheapest.

Even for less than that it may be the cheapest option, compared with public rate day tickets.

 

[zjc]

On Northerns careers site they use the following wording for the 75% off other TOCs

• 75% discount with other Train Operating Companies - after 1 year with us, you’ll also get discounted travel on many other rail services in the UK and Europe.

Does anyone know if that means you have to do a full years service at Northern before you get your PRIV pass?

Seems odd compared with other TOCs?

 

[driver9000]

On Northerns careers site they use the following wording for the 75% off other TOCs

• 75% discount with other Train Operating Companies - after 1 year with us, you’ll also get discounted travel on many other rail services in the UK and Europe.

Does anyone know if that means you have to do a full years service at Northern before you get your PRIV pass?

Seems odd compared with other TOCs?

No, it means you get FIP after 12 months service.

 

[zjc]

No, it means you get FIP after 12 months service.

Thanks! So you get PRIV as soon as you start?

 

[driver9000]

Thanks! So you get PRIV as soon as you start?

It used to be after 4 weeks but it might have changed.