Season ticket advice

[pdsalford]

I will be travelling 5 days a week from Blackpool North to Manchester Metrolink zone 2 (via Zone 1 of course).

Is there a way of buying a through monthly season ticket? Or is it a case of buying individual tickets for train and tram, hopefully, putting them on the same smartcard?

Thanks in advance

 

[CyrusWuff]

Through season tickets are available, with the relevant destination being GM Metrolink Z1-2 (L003.)

They're currently priced at £116.40 per week (£447 Monthly, £4656 Annual), which is the same price as buying them separately.

Unfortunately through seasons are only available for fulfilment as a traditional ticket, not to Smartcards.

 

[spag23]

When I was a Thameslink customer I found that (except just before a big fares increase) it was more economical to buy around nine monthlies over the year, extending each one by two or three days; so that each ran from the Monday of week 1 to the Friday of week 5. This works because the two or three add-on days are each charged at 1/30 of the monthly cost, ie not based on ~22 weekdays in each month.
Tweak the dates to avoid having a ticket that covers Bank Holidays (unless you intend to travel that day). And of course, time it so that you don't have a ticket that covers your annual leave (4+ weeks?), or distant work postings/courses.
And if during the year you have a lifestyle change (new workplace, long sickness), your financial exposure is much less; no faffing about with a (poor value) refund of your annual (they charge you at the monthly rate for the period used, not pro rata of the annual sum; hence a zero refund after Month 10).
And of course with this "Nine Long Months" plan, the TOC doesn't get an interest-free £4600 loan from you .

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Flip side to the above (useful) advice by @spag23 is that if a twelve month season ticket is purchased before a scheduled (annual) price hike (next one expected 3rd March 2024), then this will essentially lock in prices at the pre-increase level.

 

[MrJeeves]

it was more economical to buy around nine monthlies over the year, extending each one by two or three days; so that each ran from the Monday of week 1 to the Friday of week 5. This works because the two or three add-on days are each charged at 1/30 of the monthly cost, ie not based on ~22 weekdays in each month.

But you do also lose the benefits of a Gold Card -- a bit benefit if you have friends or family you'd like to travel with, buy railcards for, etc.

no faffing about with a (poor value) refund of your annual (they charge you at the monthly rate for the period used, not pro rata of the annual sum; hence a zero refund after Month 10).

Best solution is usually a changeover to the cheapest season available for this reason.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

But you do also lose the benefits of a Gold Card -- a bit benefit if you have friends or family you'd like to travel with, buy railcards for, etc.

An annual Blackpool North to Manchester Stns (with GM Metrolink Zones 1-2 added on) season ticket, wouldn't ever be issued as a 'Gold Card', would it?

 

[MrJeeves]

An annual Blackpool North to Manchester Stns (with GM Metrolink Zones 1-2 added on) season ticket, wouldn't ever be issued as a 'Gold Card', would it?

Erm no, not at all. The quoted reply about Thameslink commuting threw me off

 

[CyrusWuff]

An annual Blackpool North to Manchester Stns (with GM Metrolink Zones 1-2 added on) season ticket, wouldn't ever be issued as a 'Gold Card', would it?

It shouldn't be, but that doesn't mean that it wouldn't be if bought through a retailer that wasn't paying attention!

 

[spag23]

I found that (except just before a big fares increase) it was more economical to buy around nine monthlies over the year,

Mcr Warrior correctly points out that this year's hike postponement will tilt the cost benefit for any annual commute starting in the next 54 days.
But, even having entered the contemporaneous fares into the planning spreadsheet, the Nine Long Month plan may still be beneficial (even ignoring its flexibility and cash flow upsides).
I agree you have to weigh up whether it's worth foregoing a free Gold Card, versus buying an equivalent one.
It's all down to the individual's Excel skills, priorities and work pattern predictablities.

Best solution is usually a changeover to the cheapest season available for this reason

Yes, but some TOCs think they can limit a changeover to a house or workplace move. Nonsense, of course and in clear breach of the NRCoT, which permits no such restriction or variation. Your season ticket contract with the TOC is solely to transport you from Station A to Station B. Where you live or work, or what you do (off their premises!) at either end is none of their business. Neither can they force you to travel on a ticket you decide not to use; that's called kidnapping!

 

[MrJeeves]

It shouldn't be, but that doesn't mean that it wouldn't be if bought through a retailer that wasn't paying attention!

Like my child seasons were!