New rail tickets ‘penalising’ business travellers
Business travellers are being penalised through the introduction of new UK rail tickets, a leading travel management company claims.
Hogg Robinson Group is calling on the rail industry to end what it describes as unfair ‘anytime ticket’ pricing structure which came into force in May.
Many corporate travellers now face increased costs and have less flexibility on their travel despite the new fare structure supposedly simplifying a range of cheap tickets, according to the company.
The new anytime ticket has replaced standard and first class returns.
But users are now restricted to travelling on the outward date printed on the ticket – previously travel was flexible ‘anytime’ within the one month validity of the ticket.
If travel needs change, passengers must apply for a refund, which can take up to 28 days, and in the meantime purchase a replacement ticket for the new date of departure.
On long distance travel, this can cost hundreds of pounds extra for each journey. An anytime first class return ticket from London to Manchester amounts to £360, for example.
With rail fares set to increase by an average of seven per cent from January, the situation will only get worse, according to HRG.
The company has gained the support of many long distance rail companies, as well as large organisations for a campaign against the Association of Train Operators (ATOC) on the issue.
Client the Ministry of Defence has written to HRG expressing its dissatisfaction and challenging the introduction of the new condition of carriage.
Terry Grainger, director of government contracts at HRG, said: “This is a flagrant attempt by ATOC to increase the cash flow of its rail franchise members at the expense of their customers and is simply not acceptable.
“This new restriction crept in while the market’s attention was focused on simplifying fares.
“Apart from the questionable use of the word ‘anytime’ in reference to these tickets, this clause penalises the biggest customers of the rail industry, which surely does not make sound business sense.
“Business travellers are regular users of long distance rail services – many of HRG’s clients feature among the top 12 customers of major long distance rail operators.
“Corporate travellers need flexibility – their travel requirements change frequently, for example if a meeting is postponed – and this new system is costing significant sums in terms of the administration to process returns and the cost of having to purchase multiple tickets for one journey.â€
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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