Every time i go to use my rail card on the train (Because the queue in the station is always too busy) the ticket inspector tells me customers are not allowed to use these young persons rail cards on the train itself to purchase a ticket- they must buy tickets witht he cards in the station-

why? and who ever made this stupid rule up!

Conditions of issue and use of reduced priced tickets ('discounted tickets') bought with a Young Persons Railcard
1. Tickets for your journey should be purchased before boarding the train and when buying tickets you must show the Railcard and Photocard or valid 'Permit to Travel without Photocard' card. You must have the Railcard and Photocard with you on your journey. You must always show the valid Railcard and ticket to rail staff at their request. If you do not show both the Railcard and the ticket, you will be required to pay the full price Standard Single fare for your journey as if no ticket was purchased before starting the journey. This does not apply if there was no ticket office at the station at which you began your journey or if the ticket office was closed and there was no ticket machine from which you could buy a discounted ticket. (http://www.youngpersons-railcard.co.uk/terms_conditions.htm#youngPersons)

Far as I know its a general rule, if you don't buy at ticket in a manned station where there is opportunity to do so, you can be given an on th spot fine of £10 I believe, so the railcard thing is an extension of that I guess.

I was always annoyed when i tried to use my railcard before peak time had ended on a morning, they make them out to be such a good deal, and then you read the small print :)

Originally posted by lossy
Every time i go to use my rail card on the train (Because the queue in the station is always too busy) the ticket inspector tells me customers are not allowed to use these young persons rail cards on the train itself to purchase a ticket- they must buy tickets witht he cards in the station-

why? and who ever made this stupid rule up!

Because you shouldn't really be buying tickets on the train. If you board at a manned station you should arrive in plenty of time to queue and buy a ticket or use a ticket machine.

It has always been that way in the distant past i was at uni in loughborugh and used to travel from there to birmingham regularly. On one memrable occasion i just made the train with seconds to spare (bus was late). I knew the railcard fare was something like £11 and i had about £11.50 on me. The guard was not impressed and in those days you couldn't use debit cards on the train itself. i think i ended up almost crying on the very crowded train. (probably while all the people around me thought scrounging student) He eventually let me buy a cheap ticket after leaving me to sweat for about 20 minutes while he checked if it was ok?
After that i always bought a ticket before.

It's in both the conditions of the railcard and the national conditions of carriage - if you are caught on the train without a ticket, then you have to buy the most expensive ticket with no discounts, unless you board at an unstaffed station.

One GNER conductor on a late night service from Donny went off on one at me once - refusing to honour my railcard when I was attempting to purchase a ticket from him. I listened patiently, looked him straight in the eye, paused, then said 'the booking hall closes at 10pm' then repeated my request for a railcard discounted ticket.

Now if he hadn't been intent on showing me up infront of the whole carriage, he wouldn't have looked so silly :hihi:

Yes is all very well saying buy a ticket froma manned station before hand -but when you work from 9-5.15 everyday and want to travel on a friday night after work its not always possible to be able to purchase a ticket because of the queues!

If i wait and but my ticket in the station i miss my train-im sorry but i find the whole idea and terms and conditions dam right stupid!

yes its ok for those people who have spare time to buy a ticket beforehand but its not taking into account those of us who are in a hurry and dont have the time to mess around in queues just to show a stupid rail pass

That's life!:D

If you don't like it .... don't use it.

(can't you nip down in your lunch break?)

The easiest way to avoid the queues and still get your discount is to buy yout tickets online at www.thetrainline.com. They usually deliver them within 48 hours (even though it says on the website it may take longer, it never does).
It's really quick and easy, you can get much cheaper tickets, you will get a reserved seat, and no queuing. Just remember to choose the option of Young Persons Railcard.
I never understand why more people don't do this! It's great!
:bigsmile:

my whole point though is i think people shoulld be able to use their cards on the train regardless if they've got a ticket or not!!!

Does no one else out there agree? or are you all too whirled up in this country full of rules and regultaions??

:loopy:

as to cgksheff-no i cant go on my break -30 mins for lunch-takes too long to get to station -think your missing my point

Originally posted by lossy
my whole point though is i think people shoulld be able to use their cards on the train regardless if they've got a ticket or not!!!

Does no one else out there agree? or are you all too whirled up in this country full of rules and regultaions??

:loopy:

No no-one does agree! Everyone else has to queue and buy a ticket before boarding the train so why shouldn't you? In theory if you've boarded at a manned station you shouldn't be able to buy a ticket on the train at all, you should be charged the penalty fare. You know before you board that if you don't buy a ticket first you'll have to pay full fare so it's your choice.

Well said twiglet!
:thumbsup:

I bought a young persons railcard, I usually buy my tickets over the internet but when I'm on the train I never get asked for it :loopy:

Originally posted by IanMitchell
I bought a young persons railcard, I usually buy my tickets over the internet but when I'm on the train I never get asked for it :loopy:

I never usually do either except last night when i was on the 9.40pm train to Leeds from Meadowhall, i couldn't understand how he could be bothered to ask at that time!!