EXPRESS - ATOC's Travel Agent Website · Express and Retail Manual updates by contacting their...
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N N ewsrail EXPRESS 363 WEEK ENDING 5 April 2008 ITEM FOR TRAIN COMPANY ON RETAIL TRAIN TRAVEL ITEM SUBJECT OUTLETS STAFF AGENTS 1 ATOC Electronic retail publications replace paper manuals 2 National Rail Introducing a Simpler Fares Structure Advance Tickets 3 National Rail Cycling by Train leaflet 4 CrossCountry CrossCountry fares changes May 2008 5 East Midlands Trains Changes to Concessionary Fares Schemes National Rail information is listed first, followed by Train Company information in alphabetical Train Company order. Further items follow in alphabetical contributor order. * To be read by Retail Staff, On-Train Staff and Travel Agents where appropriate. 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
Transcript of EXPRESS - ATOC's Travel Agent Website · Express and Retail Manual updates by contacting their...
NNewsrai l E X P R E S S 363
WEEK ENDING 5 April 2008
ITEM FOR TRAIN COMPANY ON RETAIL TRAIN TRAVELITEM SUBJECT OUTLETS STAFF AGENTS
1 ATOC Electronic retail publications replace paper manuals
2 National Rail Introducing a Simpler Fares Structure Advance Tickets
3 National Rail Cycling by Train leaflet
4 CrossCountry CrossCountry fares changes May 2008
5 East Midlands Trains Changes to Concessionary Fares Schemes
National Rail information is listed first, followed by Train Company information inalphabetical Train Company order. Further items follow in alphabetical contributor order.* To be read by Retail Staff, On-Train Staff and Travel Agents where appropriate.
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Additional items included with this issue of Newsrail ExpressEnquirer
If you have not received these additional items or if you need extra copies, please contact:
TSO Customer Services, St. Crispins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1PD
Tel: 0870 850 2149 Fax: 0870 600 5533 e-mail: [email protected]
TOCs should inform their Pricing or Retail Manager about any changes to the distribution of publications.
Prices for Newsrail Express items and Retail Manual updatesInsertion of a news article in Newsrail Express.
Newsrail ExpressNews item standard fixed cost (regardless of the length)
£100
This price will continue until Newsrail Express becomes available in. pdf format only from issue 366. See back cover for details.
The prices below apply to any updates required to the Retail Manual
Retail Manual
New pages/pages amended
Amendment (fixed basic cost)
£100
Black & white page cost (per page)
£50
Colour page cost (per page)
£100
These prices will continue until the Retail Manual Updates are provided electronically only from the June Up-date (published 19 May). See back cover for further details.
Altering your TOC’s requirement for paper copies of Newsrail Express and Retail Manual updates
TOCs can reduce their production and distribution costs by altering the number of paper copies of Newsrail Express and Retail Manual updates by contacting their Pricing Manager or nominated TOC representative to amend their TOC publications distribution list through the FRPS website.
The Fares & Retail Publication Portal (FRPP) – your one-stop retail information source
Retail publications information can be accessed electronically via the FRPP website and includes: l Newsrail Express l Retail Manual Part One & Part Two l National Fares Manuals l RailLinks Manual l Ticket Examiners Handbook
Bookmark this web address in your internet browser: http://frpp.tso.co.uk
Travel agents have their own ATOC travel agents website at: www.atoctravelagents.org
Retail Communications Manager,ATOC [email protected]
Tel: 020 7841 8058
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Electronic retail publications replace paper manuals
National Fares Manuals and RailLinks manual
There will be no further paper National Fares Manuals and RailLinks manuals printed and distributed. NFM 99 information, introduced with the fares change on 18 May 2008, will be available electronically only, about four weeks in advance as normal on the Fares & Retail Publications Portal (FRPP) [ http://frpp.tso.co.uk ].
Newsrail Express
Newsrail Express 365, distributed 2 May 2008, is planned to be the last paper edition. Issue 366 will be the first electronic-only edition. Newsrail Express is available on:
l FRPP [ http://frpp.tso.co.uk ] – all issues for the last six months
l ATOC website [ www.atoc.org in the Marketing & Retail section ] for the complete archive
Email notifications will be sent out when a new edition is available. To ensure that you receive your electronic Newsrail Express and FRPP updates email notification, please ask your Retail Manager who will be collating all email addresses for the ATOC distribution list.
Retail Manual Part One / Retail Manual Part Two
Retail Manual – May Update, distributed 21 April 2008 is planned to be the last paper edition to be printed (if required). The June Update, published on 19 May 2008 will be the first electronic-only edition. Updates will be available on:
l FRPP [ http://frpp.tso.co.uk ]
l ATOC website [ www.atoc.org in the Marketing & Retail section ]
The version on the ATOC website will offer the updated section in the current .pdf format for you to print and insert in your manual, should you wish.
A new single on-line retail information source
Work has started on creating a new electronic retail information section on FRPP [ http://frpp.tso.co.uk ] which will merge National Fares Manuals information, the RailLinks manual and Retail Manual Parts One and Two into a single on-line ‘one-stop’ source of retail information (with the existing Fares Finder also available to find actual fares). This will make retail information easier to use by removing duplication between manuals, introducing plain English and a simple layout, with information on particular subjects in one place, rather than spread across different paper or electronic retail manuals. Look out for further information published in Newsrail Express.
Ticket Examiners Handbook
Ticket Examiners Handbook (TEH) updates will continue to be issued in paper, in addition to being made available in electronic format through FRPP [ http://frpp.tso.co.uk ] and the Marketing & Retail section on the ATOC website [www.atoc.org ]
If you are unsure about accessing electronic retail information at your station, speak to your Retail Manager now.
Paul ChilverRetail Communications Manager
020 7841 8058
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Introducing a Simpler Fares Structure Advance Tickets
This year changes are being made to ticket names and terms and conditions to simplify the range of tickets available and making it easier for passengers to understand.
Changes will affect advance purchase tickets from 18 May 2008 and walk-up tickets from 7 September 2008.
Advance tickets
From 18 May all advance purchase tickets (e.g. Apex, SuperAdvance, TOC Advance tickets etc) will change to the common name of Advance, with common terms and conditions (including Railcard discounts) in place of the current variety of conditions.
The new Advance ticket terms and conditions (including Railcard discounts) will apply to tickets sold to customers on or after 24 April for travel on or after the next fares change date of 18 May.
Key Features of Advance tickets
l Advance tickets must be purchased in advance of travel, subject to availability and are not available on the day of travel.
l Terms & conditions will be the same for all Advance tickets nationwide.
l Railcard discounts have been standardised and will apply to all Advance tickets for travel in Standard Class and selected Advance tickets for travel in First Class.
l Advance tickets will be non-refundable.
l Customers with Advance tickets can change the date or time of travel before departure. The difference between the price paid and the cost of the next suitable fare for their journey is payable, plus an administration fee charged per person, per single ticket for each change made. If they change their ticket to a train with cheaper tickets available, they should not be refunded the difference.
New terms, conditions & Railcard discounts for Advance tickets
l New terms, conditions and Railcard discounts will apply to Advance tickets purchased on or after 24 April for travel on or after 18 May.
l All advance purchase tickets for travel before 18 May will use existing terms, conditions and Railcard discounts regardless of the ticket name shown in ticket issuing systems or printed on the ticket.
Ticket-issuing and information systems
l For advance purchase tickets, the name Advance instead of the old name(s) may start appearing in systems from 29 March, but new terms, conditions and Railcard discounts will only apply to those tickets sold on or after 24 April for travel on or after 18 May.
l Until 18 May, it will not be possible to ensure that ticket issuing systems use the old or new names for Advance tickets. Therefore staff and passengers will need to go by the date of issue and travel to understand which terms & conditions and Railcard discounts apply; the name on the ticket may not indicate which terms and conditions apply!
l After sale, it may not always be possible to tell if old or new terms & conditions and Railcard discounts apply, due to limitations on information systems and what can be printed on tickets. If in doubt where refund claims or change of journey requests are made, TOCs will be adopting a flexible approach. Therefore the most generous interpretation of old and/or new rules will be used in such cases for tickets issued before 18 May for travel on or after this date. If you are in doubt on particular cases, check with your TOC retail manager or retail support team.
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Further information & training
Information on how the change to Advance tickets affects your station and ticket issuing systems is provided in the Fares Made Simple retail briefing and the new ‘Just the Ticket 4 – Fares Made Simple’ training course.
Keep an eye out for further updates in Newsrail Express and from your TOC or agency support.
Important dates
Date Activity
29 March The new name ‘Advance’ may start appearing in ticket issuing and information systems.
24 April First date for sale of new Advance tickets for travel from 18 May.New terms and conditions for Advance tickets take effect for tickets sold to customers for travel on or after 18 May (including Railcard discounts).
18 May Customers will begin to travel on new Advance tickets. New national terms & conditions and Railcard discounts will apply to all Advance tickets.
Summary of ticket changes
Date Existing Fare Name(also others not listed)
New Fare Name(First and Standard Class versions may be available)
From 18 May Leisure Advance Business AdvanceValue AdvanceSuperAdvance Apex etc
Advance
From 7 September First/Standard Open Single/Return First/Standard Day Single/Return etc
AnytimeAnytime Day
From 7 September Saver*Cheap Day etc
Off-PeakOff-Peak Day
From 7 September Evening FarePricebusterSuperSaverJust 15 etc
Super Off-PeakSuper Off-Peak Day
* Some Savers may go to other categories depending on other fares priced by the same train company.
Some ticket types are not covered by this programme – for example, Season Tickets, Group tickets, Travelcards, PTE fares etc.
Cath LyverNational Rail Product Manager
020 7841 8061
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Cycling by Train leafletThe 2008 National Rail ‘Cycling by Train’ leaflet provides passengers with a summary of each train company’s policy for carrying cycles by train.
Stocks of this leaflet are available to be racked at stations.
An initial distribution to stations was completed in January. If you require additional copies please send your order with delivery details to:
Brompton Bicycle
Email: [email protected]
This National Rail leaflet is sponsored by Brompton Bicycle.
National Rail Marketing020 7841 8061
TO BE READ BY:TRAIN COMPANY RETAIL STAFF ON-TRAIN STAFFTRAVEL AGENTS
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TO BE READ BY:
TRAIN COMPANY RETAIL STAFF
ON-TRAIN STAFF
TRAVEL AGENTS
1 <National Rail>
Cycling by Train leaflet
The 2008 National Rail ‘Cycling by Train’ leaflet provides passengers with a summary of each train company’s policy for carrying cycles by train. Stocks of this leaflet are available to be racked at stations. An initial distribution to stations was completed in January. If you require additional copies please send your order with delivery details to:
Brompton Bicycle Email: [email protected]
This National Rail leaflet is sponsored by Brompton Bicycle.
National Rail Marketing
020 7841 8061
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CrossCountry fares changes May 2008From 18 May, there will be important changes to the CrossCountry fares structure.
These changes include:
l Delivering a simpler, more transparent and fairer system for advanced travel through a structure based on up to five levels of ticket, with many fares significantly cheaper than their current equivalent
l Providing clarity for customers, employees and retailers on when walk-up tickets can be used, by removing 13 different restrictions for Cheap Day tickets and eight restrictions for Savers.
l Aligning fare conditions with those used by other TOCs by adopting standard time restrictions for Saver and Cheap Day tickets.
l Reducing opportunities for the misuse of return ticket portions on most short distance flows. Monthly return tickets for short distance journeys have produced problems for revenue protection and are replaced by day issue tickets of similar prices.
l Implementing the same First Class season ticket multiplier as other Intercity TOCs to remove anomalies, and introducing a new First Saver Return on most flows to generate off-peak travel.
Prices of Group travel products and the Weekend Upgrade have remained unaltered.
Saver Fares
All restricted CrossCountry Saver fares will now use restriction code 2V regardless of the journey being made, which introduces a standardised morning restriction on all flows. The restriction text from the fares manual is shown below for information:
Validity Code
2VCC
Restriction Applies: Outward and Return travel, Monday to Friday only. No travel restrictions on other days.
Outward and Return Journeys
By any train except those scheduled to depart before 09.30.
Where the Saver was previously an 8A restriction this has been amended to 8X so that the Saver remains categorised as an Off-Peak fare in the September fare simplification of non-Advance Purchase products. The 8X restriction prevents travel before 0500 however the ticket can be used for travel at any time after. This will not materially affect when customers can travel however it removes the need for the Standard Open ticket to be repriced at the same level as the Saver fare.
Please also note that Saver Half tickets have been withdrawn on all CrossCountry priced flows, except flows in the North West, which should be priced by Virgin (West Coast). Finally the railcard exemption from Saver restrictions no longer applies to any CrossCountry priced flow or journey. Customers holding railcards will have the Saver restriction applied to their journey and therefore can no longer travel during periods when Saver tickets are not valid for travel.
Cheap Day Fares
All CrossCountry priced Cheap Day/Off Peak Day fares all now use restriction code BX. This introduces a morning restriction identical to the 2V Saver restrictions and also introduces an evening restriction on Cheap Day tickets. The new restriction removes some 13 different Cheap Day restrictions from the flows priced by CrossCountry.
Please note that there are no longer unrestricted Cheap Day fares and where necessary Standard Day fares have been introduced to offer a travel anytime ticket. Additionally all flows where it is cheaper than the Day Single fare, now offer a Cheap Day Single fare. For information the new restriction code text is shown below:
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Validity
Code BXOutward Travel Return Travel
By any train except those timed to depart Mondays – Fridays before 0930 or between 1530 and 1815.
By any train except those timed to depart Mondays – Fridays before 0930 or between 1530 and 1815.
First Saver Return
In addition to changes to the Saver and Cheap Day tickets, CrossCountry have also introduced First Saver Return tickets on most flows where the Saver ticket is restricted. The First Saver Return is priced at approximately 1.5 times the First Open single fare and all First Saver Return tickets use restriction code 2V. If customers are travelling outside of peak periods these tickets offer customers flexibility and First Class travel without having to purchase the Full Open fare or purchase their ticket in Advance of travel.
First Class Season Tickets
Please note that from May 2008, First Class season tickets will use the 1.7 times multiplier rather than 1.5. In most cases the First Class fare will quote on retailing systems, however some flows may not have a First Class season ticket priced. If no price exists for a First Class season ticket and the flow is priced by CrossCountry please multiply the Standard Class season ticket price by 1.7 to obtain the First Class fare.
Removal of Period Returns on short distance flows
From May 2008, period return fares have been removed from most flows with a distance of less than 50 miles, to prevent repeated use of tickets. Where no Standard Day Return fare previously existed, as the Saver fare was unrestricted we have introduced an Standard Day Return fare at the same rate as the Saver, and have also introduced Cheap Day Return fares where these did not previously exist.
Group Travel
CrossCountry offer two different group travel products, the XC SmallGroup product and offers a discount of 25% when between 3 and 9 passengers travel off the Advance Standard 3 fare. This product can be retailed through all outlets in the same way as the Advance Purchase tickets. For Groups in excess of 10 passenger’s rail appointed travel agents and TOC group travel departments are able to retail the Saver tickets with Group discount. CrossCountry dedicated Group fares for Groups in excess of 10 passengers; however these can only be issued at the present time through our Group Travel department.
Advance Purchase Fares
CrossCountry are revising the price levels and availability of their Advance fares from May 2008.
In line with Fares Simplification, the different levels will no longer be advertised and the message to customers is that Advance fares are subject to availability and to book as far in advance as possible to get the cheapest fares.
The terms and conditions will be as for all Advance fares – see the Section E Ticket Finder on the Fares & Retail Publications Portal (FRPP) http://frpp.tso.co.uk
Should you require assistance or further information regarding the fares changes please contact CrossCountry Sales Support on 0870 428 4077. Please note that customers should not be given this number they should be directed to contact our customer relations team on 0870 010 4490 or National Rail Enquiries on 08457 484950.
Phil DawsonCrossCountry Pricing Manager
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Changes to Concessionary Fares SchemesFrom 1 April 2008, English National Concessionary Bus Scheme Cards will be introduced (see Newsrail Express 362, item 4 for further details). Although these will make off-peak bus travel available across the whole of England to any cardholder, the level and area of discounted rail travel (if available) within each area will still be decided by the local issuing authority.
The following changes will be made to Concessionary Fares Schemes administered by East Midlands Trains from this date.
Charnwood Borough Council
The scheme area, journeys available and discount levels remain unchanged. Holders of the new National Concessionary Bus Cards bearing the Charnwood Borough Council logo at the top right will be eligible to receive discounts with this scheme. Existing Gold cards remain available to use until 30 September 2008.
Derbyshire County Council
The scheme area and journeys available remain unchanged; however there will be no free travel available from 1 April 2008. Any customers traveling with a pass endorsed for free travel will still be eligible for the 50% discount. Holders of the new National Concessionary Bus Cards bearing an Amber Valley, Bolsover, Chesterfield, Derby City, Derbyshire Dales, Erewash, High Peak, North East Derbyshire or South Derbyshire Council logo at the top right will be eligible to receive discounts with this scheme. All of these cards will feature Derbyshire Gold and Derbyshire County Council logos on the reverse. Ticket issuing staff are asked to check both sides of the card to ensure the card holder is eligible for a discount. Existing Gold cards remain available to use until 31 May 2008.
Leicestershire County Council
The scheme area and journeys available remain unchanged. The only change to discount levels is that a small number of disabled people holding an existing pink photo card will be able to travel free rather than at half fare. Existing scheme card styles remain in use. Holders of the new National Concessionary Bus Cards bearing a Blaby, Harborough, Hinckley & Bosworth, Leicester City, Melton, North West Leicestershire or Oadby & Wigston Council logo at the top right will be eligible to receive discounts with this scheme. Some Temporary National cards (without a photo) will be issued but these must be supported by a Leicester/Leicestershire photo card to obtain a discount.
Nottinghamshire County Council
The scheme area, journeys available and discount levels remain unchanged. Holders of the new National Concessionary Bus Cards bearing the Nottinghamshire County Council logo at the top centre will be eligible to receive discounts with this scheme.
Rutland County Council
The scheme area, journeys available and discount levels remain unchanged. Holders of the new National Concessionary Bus Cards bearing the Rutland County Council logo at the top right will be eligible to receive discounts with this scheme.
Revenue Management Analyst05 62195
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INDEX
This index covers items from the last six issues of Newsrail Express.Amendments to Fares Manuals and associated Publications are excluded.
ITEM (in alphabetical TOC order) NEWSRAIL ITEM PAGE EXPRESS No. No. No.
Arriva Trains Wales – New stations 357 2 4ATOC – Child Group Travel 358 1 3ATOC – Non-availability of staff travel facilities on Grand Central Railway 358 2 3ATOC – New Warrant designs - briefing 359 1 3ATOC – Electronic retail publications replace paper manuals 362 1 3CrossCountry – retail information 358 4 4CrossCountry – SmallGroup products 358 5 5East Midlands Trains – East Midlands Trains news 355 6 7East Midlands Trains – GroupSave bared dates 358 3 3East Midlands Trains – GroupSave bared dates 362 7 10First Capital Connect – Through fares now apply to/from Luton Airport 359 2 4First Great Western – Bristol International Airport 357 3 5First Great Western – Saver restriction 4N 357 3 5Grand Central – information 362 8 11Heathrow Express – the opening of Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 362 9 15National Rail – Introducing simpler fares (Fares Simplification) 360 1 3National Rail & Eurostar – Ebbsfleet International 360 2 4National Rail – Introducing a simpler fares structure – Advance tickets 362 2 4National Rail – Concessionary travel for the elderly and disabled 362 4 7PLUSBUS – Issuing PLUSBUS with rail tickets 362 3 6Railcards – New Railcards stations leaflets and posters (updated) 357 1 3Railcards – Family Railcard trial promotion 362 5 8Railcards – New NatWest Railcard designs 362 6 9South West Trains – Stonehenge Tour admission prices 362 10 16
Printed by The Stationery Office Limited (TSO)St. CrispinsDuke StreetNorwich NR3 1PDCopyright © Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) 2000
working together for Great Britain’s National Rail companies
Retail Communication DeadlinesWould TOC and ATOC information providers please note the following deadlines for content submission, through FRPS, for Newsrail Express items and updates to your sections in Retail Manual Part Two (also reflected in Rail Directory for Travel Agents Part One). Submissions can be made up until 23:59 on the date shown.
The Rail Directory for Travel Agents Part One is provided to travel agents in electronic format only and mirrors the information submitted to the Retail Manual Part Two.
March to May 2008
Newsrail Express issue number
Retail Manual Part Two
Delivery date at retail locations (may vary by 2 days either side)
Deadline for submission by information providers
is 23:59 on the dates below
– May Update 21 April Closed
364 – 21 April 9 April
365 – 2 May 22 April
IMPORTANT NEWSBeyond issue 365, Newsrail Express will no longer be printed and distributed as a paper publication but will continue to be available in .pdf format through the FRPP [ https://frpp.tso.co.uk ] and the ATOC website [ www.atoc.org ] (in the Marketing & Retail section). Email notification will be sent on release dates to all subscribers.
Retail Manual Updates will also no longer be printed and distributed as paper but will continue to be available through the FRPP and the ATOC website, as above. Email notification will be sent on release dates to all subscribers.
During the Summer, the Retail Manual (Part One and Part Two) will cease to exist in any format. Information currently contained within these manuals, together with the information currently contained in the National Fares Manuals and the RailLinks Manual (both have already been withdrawn) will be combined and rewritten into a single online information source on the FRPP [ https://frpp.tso.co.uk ]
May 2008 onwards
Newsrail Express issue number
FRPP Update Available electronically on FRPP [https://frps.tso.co.uk]
Deadline for submission by information providers
is 23:59 on the dates below
– June Update To be confirmed To be confirmed
366 – To be confirmed To be confirmed
FRPS websiteThe Fares & Retail Publications Service website for entering information is https://frps.tso.co.uk Each TOC and ATOC have designated information providers with password access to contribute Newsrail Express items and Retail Manual Part Two updates. Guidance on how to use the system is available from www.atoc.org in the Marketing and Retail > FRPS (Fares & Retail Publications Service) section. For additional editorial guidance contact Paul Chilver at ATOC Editorial on [email protected] or telephone 020 7841 8058.Proof checkingAt the proof check stage, (usually 2-3 days after the submission deadline) contributors will receive an email which states what the time deadline is for checking your proof. This then normally gives you one working day to check the proof and you should advise of any alterations required or supply sign-off to Paul Chilver at ATOC Editorial, fax 020 7841 8266 by the deadline shown in the email.Further information and pricesFurther information and full pricing details for contributing news items and updates is shown in the inside cover of this edition. For invoice enquiries please contact Andrew Tolley at RSP on [email protected] or tel 020 7841 8119.Publication supplies, distribution and technical supportThe TSO helpline for publication supplies (if you want to buy extra copies of manuals), distribution queries (if you do not receive the information that you were expecting) and technical support is 0870 850 2149 or email [email protected]. If you simply wish to make a change to the distribution database then please contact your TOC’s Retail or Pricing Manager (for non-TOCs please contact [email protected]).Inserts and merchandisersIf you wish to send out any separate inserts (such as leaflets and merchandisers) within the Newsrail Express distribution package (either distribution of your pre-printed material or a full print and distribution service) please arrange this direct with TSO – tel 0870 873 8722, email [email protected] to discuss details of costs and timescales. Please ensure that you contact TSO at least 7 days in advance of the submission deadline date shown above.Retail Manual Part One, Rail Directory for Travel Agents Part Two, Ticket Examiners HandbookIf you want any changes made to Retail Manual Part One, Rail Directory for Travel Agents Part Two and Ticket Examiners Handbook, please contact ATOC Editorial on [email protected].
