A GUIDE TO THE RAIL STAFF TRAVEL FACILITIES GRANTED TO:

Transcription

1 A GUIDE TO THE RAIL STAFF TRAVEL FACILITIES GRANTED TO: ACTIVE 'SAFEGUARDED' EMPLOYEES (IN RAILWAY EMPLOYMENT BEFORE 1 APRIL 1996) RETIRED 'SAFEGUARDED' EMPLOYEES TOC NON-SAFEGUARDED EMPLOYEES (JOINED RAILWAY EMPLOYMENT AFTER 1 APRIL 1996) The information contained in this guide sets out the main travel facilities entitlements for Active/Retired safeguarded staff and their eligible dependants (including widow/ers) and for TOC non-safeguarded active staff and their eligible family members. If you need more information please contact the office which administers your travel facilities on a day-to-day basis (see Contacts). If a concession applies to some groups only, this will be colour-coded as indicated above, and usually boxed in. NB Since this document is presented as a pdf, it does not contain hyperlinks but words in blue refer to the relevant pages or forms on KEY TO SECTIONS: 1. Introduction/general 2. Overview of entitlements, products (ie cards and passes) and rules 3. Travel on National Rail in Great Britain 4. Travel on other UK transport undertakings 5. Travel within London 6. International travel Travel facilities for Active/Retired safeguarded staff and their eligible dependants (including widow/ers) are covered by the Rail Staff Travel Scheme Facility Rules, of which this document is a user-friendly version. Travel facilities for TOC non-safeguarded active staff and their eligible family members are underwritten by a non-contractual arrangement which is reviewed annually by TOCs, and which may be withdrawn at any time. PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS A GUIDE ONLY AND IS MEANT TO GIVE YOU A FLAVOUR OF WHAT YOU MIGHT ENJOY. IT IS NOT A LEGALLY BINDING DOCUMENT. Final draft: due for publication Most recent update (updated CP/NZ/IF) 1

2 SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION & GENERAL POINTS The purpose of this Guide is to provide an outline of the main travel facilities and concessions that are available. It is not intended to provide comprehensive or up-to-the-minute details of all travel concessions and should therefore not be regarded as definitive. However, it does include as many as possible of the principles of the Rail Staff Travel Facility Rules, and is intended therefore to be a user-friendly version of those Rules. Any changes or useful information are posted regularly online; information on special offers is available in News & Offers; and you can always get further information from the office which administers your travel facilities (see Contacts) If you are still employed by an organisation that was privatised by BR before it was privatised itself in March 1996, the details contained in this guide may not apply to you in every respect. If you retired from the service of earlier privatised railway organizations (eg NFC, Travellers Fare, BT Hotels, Bombardier Transportation) you may also have slightly different entitlements. Employees to whom travel facilities are issued for themselves and their families are responsible for their proper use. The employee has absolute discretion as to whether they allow their eligible dependants to enjoy these facilities. Any person who is found to use improperly a staff travel card or pass, transfers or causes to be transferred such a card or pass, or attempts to do so, will be liable to prosecution, withdrawal of travel facilities and, if an employee, to possible dismissal. Throughout this guide, Q-rate means quarter rate of the full public fare, or 75% discount, also sometimes called Priv rate or Privilege rate. Use of travel facilities is subject at all times to the Conditions of Issue and Use, which are published and regularly updated online; and also to the National Conditions of Carriage. Finally, this Guide covers national and international concessions. There may be additional local concessions available through specific TOC employers: these are outside the scope of this Guide. 2

3 SECTION 2: OVERVIEW Concessions As a general rule (though there are exceptions), these are the concessions available: SAFEGUARDED National: Active & Retired: Leisure Up to 20 free journeys pa Travel Q-rate of full fare (Anytime) thereafter National: Active only: Residential Free travel for up to 40 or 8 miles (based Travel on work location) Q-rate of full fare thereafter (season ticket) International Active: One free journey pa per country Typically half-rate thereafter Retired: One free journey pa some countries only Typically half-rate thereafter Other UK Generally, Q-rate Generally, Q-rate London (TfL) Q-rate None TOC NON-SAFEGUARDED Active only: Q-rate of full fare (Anytime) Active only: Q-rate of full fare (season ticket) Active only, & only after one year s service: One free journey pa per country Typically half-rate thereafter Part-time staff generally receive pro-rated benefits, where these are divisible (eg no. of boxes) Family members generally receive the same leisure-only benefits as the employee (not necessarily on international services) There can be further differences to entitlement depending on grade and/or length of service. Products (ie cards and passes) As a general rule (though there are exceptions), these are the products available: Product To whom For what Staff Travel Card Safeguarded Active & Retired Leisure (free & reduced rate) TOC Privilege Card TOC Non-Safeguarded active Leisure (reduced rate) Residential Pass Safeguarded Active Residential (free element) Privilege Season Ticket Safeguarded Active Residential (reduced rate element) Reduced Rate Season Ticket TOC Non-Safeguarded active Residential (reduced rate) Status Pass (Active) Safeguarded Active Leisure & Residential (unlimited free) Status Pass (Retired) Safeguarded Retired Leisure (unlimited free) International Reduced Rate Safeguarded Active & Retired Leisure (reduced rate) Card International Coupons TOC Non-Safeguarded active Safeguarded Active & Retired TOC Non-Safeguarded active Leisure (free element) 3

4 Most cards and passes each have a specific use, though there may be some overlap. This will be explained as we go along. Staff Travel Cards and TOC Privilege Cards, Residential Passes, Privilege Season Tickets and Reduced Rate Season Tickets must be accompanied by a Photo Identity Card. Status Passes include a photo. This is a requirement for the following categories: o All Active staff (Safeguarded and Non-Safeguarded), and all their entitled family members aged 16 or over. A Photo ID does not therefore need to be carried by: o Any Retired Safeguarded staff, or any of their entitled family members; anyone aged 15 or under. The photo ID as used by the general public is acceptable for use also by rail staff, and can be obtained from most station booking offices, free of charge. Family Members As a general rule you can apply for travel facilities for the following family members: one spouse or partner (or in very rare circumstances, a housekeeper); plus all resident dependent children up to the age of 16; plus resident dependent children between 16 and 25 in certain circumstances plus resident dependent children aged 25+ in certain circumstances More specific details about individual circumstances, categories, variations and entitlements can be found in the relevant sections of the Conditions of Issue and Use online which can be consulted as needed and are therefore not reproduced in full here. You should remember though that it is up to you, the employee, to decide whether or not you want your family members to be issued with cards and passes, and you are responsible for the correct use of those cards and passes by your family. No family member is independently entitled to anything. Facilities for a couple, both employed in the rail industry There are so many possible combinations that it is difficult to generalize, and we recommend that you approach your normal daily travel contact (or RSTL) for specific guidance. However as a general rule, upon becoming an employed couple, you can opt for leisure travel in your own right, or as a dependent. This must apply to both domestic and international leisure travel. You can however retain residential travel separately as an employee, even if you take your leisure travel through your partner. Unless your circumstances change, having made your choice you can swap to a different status once only. European (FIP) travel should also align with TOC-national, as opposed to TOC-specific, entitlements. 4

5 Restrictions on Travel The use of all staff travel cards and passes is subject to restrictions on certain rail and shipping services, details of which are circulated from time to time (typically in May and December annually). Details can be found in Staff Travel Restrictions. Loss & Replacement of Staff Travel Cards or Passes If any cards or passes are lost, mutilated or dilapidated, you can replace them though a fee is generally payable. Charges may be waived, however, if loss is the result of theft, robbery or fire, subject to evidence of the facts being produced from the relevant police or fire service authorities. The current charges are given in the Conditions of Issue and Use, online. Postal losses notified beyond 3 months of the start date of any card or pass will not be replaced free of charge, but must be paid for as if lost by the holder. This is to support fraud prevention. For Active and Retired Safeguarded staff, the first time in a travel year that you request a replacement Staff Travel Card, the unused occasions of free travel are re-allocated on a pro rata basis. How the calculation applies to your specific case will be explained when the loss is reported. However for a second replacement in the same travel year, no free travel is re-allocated, ie all the boxes will be crossed through and the replacement card will only allow privilege rate travel. To request any replacement card or pass, apply on Form A reward may be paid to the finder of a lost card or pass, at the station to which it is handed in. Travel Irregularities If any holder of any staff travel card or pass (SG or NSG) attempts to use it fraudulently, this is classed as a Travel Irregularity, and the Scheme sets out what penalties should be applied. Generally, if a prime cardholder transgresses, the whole family loses their cards; if a family member is at fault, just that individual is subject to penalty. More details online. Leavers Your entitlement to continued staff travel after you leave railway employment depends on your status when you were working, and the reason for leaving. Generally speaking, though, for Safeguarded Active staff the following holds true: Redundancy: Keep Retired: Keep, provided also entitled immediately to receive a company pension Death in Service: Keep (for family members already in receipt) Retired by Ill-Health: Keep, provided also entitled immediately to receive a company pension Resigned: Surrender Dismissed: Surrender 5

6 There can however be exceptions, owing to personal circumstances, so feel free to ask RSTL about your own situation in confidence, if you wish. More details online. For TOC Non-Safeguarded Active staff, there are no national or international facilities allowed after leaving, irrespective of circumstances. Mobility For Safeguarded Active staff, in some circumstances it is possible to move between employers and retain travel entitlements. More details online. Returning to work after retirement/redundancy For Safeguarded Active staff, in some circumstances it is possible to return to work in the industry and receive active travel entitlements again. More details online. Privilege Travel in general: How to buy a Priv ticket, and what to do if this is not possible Just as for the general public, you must have a valid ticket before you start a journey. If you wish to travel using a privilege rate (Q-rate) ticket, you must buy that ticket from a ticket office. At present it is not possible to buy them online, by phone, or from ticket machines. If the ticket office is closed and it is therefore not possible to purchase the privilege rate ticket to which you are entitled, there are two option, depending on the station at which your journey commences: 1. If the station is in a Penalty Fare Zone (this will be clearly indicated by posters) then you must buy a Permit to Travel from a PERTIS machine. The fee/fare paid at the machine will then be deducted from the eventual privilege rate fare that you pay either on the train or at your destination. 2. If the station is not in a Penalty Fare Zone, you must have your fare ready and offer to pay it at the first available opportunity: on entry to the platform, on the train, or when exiting at your destination. By doing so, ie offering to pay, there can be no question that you are trying to travel without paying. If you don t offer to pay, then you could be accused of fare avoidance. 6

7 SECTION 3: TRAVEL FACILITIES ON NATIONAL RAIL 3.1 Safeguarded Active & Retired Staff, Leisure Travel Free and discounted leisure travel is delivered via the Staff Travel Card. If, depending on circumstances, you are entitled to a certain number of free journeys, these are shown by a series of boxes on your Staff Travel Card. The annual quota of free travel granted to full-time Active/Retired employees for leisure purposes on National Rail under standard conditions is as follows: Retired but with less than 10 years' service at retirement: 10 boxes non-mgt, 14 boxes for MS1 equiv or above Retired but with more than 10 years' service at retirement, or Active 16 boxes non-mgt, 20 boxes for MS1 equiv or above The same quota of free travel is granted to entitled family members. Part-time employees (15 hours or more per week) are granted free travel on a pro-rata basis. Before commencing a free journey, you must enter the day and month of the journey in ink in the first (or next available) box (which is divided into two sections on the card marked as DAY and MTH ). Use Arabic numerals, with zero in front of single digits ie 7 August should be written in as: Each dated box allows free travel on that day, from 22h00 on the preceding day, and up to midnight on the following day. In other words a card dated 7 August allows journeys from 22h00 on 6 August up to 24h00 on 8 August, 50 hours in total. During that 50-hour period, travel does not have to be continuous: any number of broken journeys may be undertaken. If you attempt to travel without dating a box, the ticket examiner/inspector will cross out the next available box as a penalty and will instruct you to complete the next box following. If the card is wrongly dated the same procedure will be followed. Alteration or overwriting of dates already inserted is not permitted this includes writing a date in pencil then going over it with pen, or erasing it and then reentering it. This information is clearly printed on the card. Staff Travel Cards are valid from 1 April of one year until 30 June of the next year. New cards will be sent out to via employers or directly to home addresses towards the end of March each year. If you wish to use occasions of free travel between 1 April and 30 June, either the old or the new card can be used (assuming there are unused boxes on the old card). Only the new card can be used after 30 June. However, once the allocation of free journeys has been used up, you can continue to purchase unlimited Q-rate journeys backed up by the Staff Travel Card. Privilege rate travel facilities are available also on the London Underground and certain other railway administrations (see Sections 5 and 6). 7

8 3.2 Safeguarded Active Staff, Residential Travel NOTE: Retired Safeguarded staff are NOT entitled to Residential Travel (commuting to work). If your work location is within the London and South East allowance area, you are granted up to 40 miles free residential rail travel. If your work locations is outside that area, the allowance is for 8 miles free residential rail travel. A Residential Pass between specific stations is issued for this purpose. Apply on Form If your residential journey exceeds these limits, you may apply for and purchase instead a Privilege Season Ticket at one quarter of the standard rate, less a further financial allowance for the relevant free travel element as mentioned above. Apply on Form Residential Travel on London Underground can also be included on a Privilege Season Ticket. Residential Travel is also allowed for travel to educational establishments in some circumstances. Residential passes and privilege season tickets may be used also for leisure travel on the route specified. 3.3 Other additional facilities for more senior Active/Retired Safeguarded Staff (ie Status Passes etc) If you are classed at the former BR grade of MS2 or MS3 (or equivalent), you may be granted an unlimited mileage Residential Pass (standard class) from your residential station to your place of work, regardless of the mileage involved in the journey. Apply on Form If you are graded at MS4 (or equivalent) or above, you may be granted unlimited first class travel in the form of a Status Pass (also known as an All Stations National Rail Pass). Even if you are entitled to 1 st class travel by reason of grade equivalent (or salary level), a status pass cannot be issued unless there is a spare within an employer s quota. Status passes allow unlimited free leisure and residential (but not duty) travel, in 1 st class, either across the network or on a regional basis only. There are 3 levels: Gold, Silver and Blue. The separate quotas of Gold and Silver Active passes to which each Scheme Employer (including TOCs) is entitled was set at privatisation, and cannot be exceeded. Blue passes are the regional ones and may have been issued at 1 st or STD class depending on qualification date. These are not quota-controlled, but no new ones may be issued. Status Passes for Active Safeguarded staff may be used for Leisure and Residential purposes (indicated in green on the pass). Retired Safeguarded staff, and family members of Active Safeguarded Staff, may only use the Status Pass for Leisure purposes (indicated in red). The level of Active Status Pass held at retirement will normally be maintained for the Retired Status Pass. Photos for Status Passes can be uploaded online. Retired Status Passes do not count against an employer s quota. 8

9 Gold passes provide unlimited free leisure and residential (but not duty) travel on: National rail network Some interavailable TfL rail services Sleeping berths Gold passes may be granted to: Active or Retired staff graded EG4 or above, Spouses/partners, or widow(ers) or children Silver passes provide unlimited free leisure and residential (but not duty) travel on: National rail network Some interavailable TfL rail services Silver passes may be granted to: Active or Retired staff graded MS4 to EG3 (or equivalent) working > 29 hours/wk Spouses/partners, or widow(ers) or children of staff graded EG1-to EG3 working > 29 hours/wk Blue passes provide unlimited free leisure and residential travel on: National rail services in the region for which the pass is issued and in the class shown Some interavailable TfL rail services in the region for which the pass is issued See also Section 5 (London) for information about travel in London using TfL s Oyster products. Blue Pass Regions As well as the availability detailed below, Blue passes are available on through services which operate from a station within their own Region, into a neighbouring Region and then back into their own Region, on condition that the holder does not alight at any point within the neighbouring Region in question. BP1 Eastern Region Between all stations on the former Eastern and Anglia Regions and on Tyne and Wear Metro Services (unless specified otherwise). The boundary stations are: BP1.1 With the former London Midland Region: Carlisle, Skipton, Burnley Manchester Road (via Hebden Bridge only), Manchester (via Hebden Bridge, Marsden or Dore only), Chesterfield, Nottingham (via Mansfield only), Newark Castle, Aslockton, Stamford, Crouch Hill, Wapping. BP1.2 With the former Scottish Region: Berwick-upon-Tweed, Carlisle. Available also on the following LU services: BP1.3 (i) (ii) Metropolitan and District Lines: Moorgate to Kings Cross. Tower Hill to Upminster, but not to alight/board between Tower Hill and Bow Road. 9

10 BP1.4 Northern Line: Kings Cross to Mill Hill East or High Barnet via Archway, but not to alight/board between Kings Cross and Highgate. BP1.5 Central Line: Liverpool Street to Epping or Hainault, via Woodford or Newbury Park, but not to alight/board between Liverpool Street and Stratford. BP1.5 Piccadilly Line: Finsbury Park to Kings Cross but not for alighting/boarding in between. BP1.6 Victoria Line: Finsbury Park or Highbury & Islington to Kings Cross. BP1.7 Docklands Light Railway: Tower Gateway to Limehouse. BP2 London Midland Region Between all stations on the former London Midland Region. The boundary stations are: BP2.1 With the former Eastern and Anglia Regions: Carlisle, Skipton, Halifax (via Hebden Br only), Huddersfield (via Marsden only), Sheffield (via Dore only), Chesterfield, Worksop (via Mansfield only), Newark Castle, Aslockton, Stamford, Crouch Hill, Wapping. BP2.2 Carlisle. With the former Scottish Region: BP2.3 With the former Western Region: Craven Arms, Worcester (via Hartlebury or Barnt Green only), Banbury, Kensington Olympia. BP2.4 With the former Southern Region: Kensington Olympia, Farringdon, South Acton. Available also on the former Southern Region between Gunnersbury and Richmond, and on Chiltern Line services if specified. Available also on the following TfL LU services: BP2.5 Metropolitan and District Lines: (i) Moorgate to Kings Cross. (ii) If endorsed for Chiltern availability available between Baker Street and Watford, Chesham or Amersham, but not to alight/board between Baker Street and Harrow-on-the-Hill. (iii) Earl s Court to Kensington Olympia. BP2.6 Bakerloo Line: Paddington to Harrow & Wealdstone. 10

11 BP3 Scottish Region Between all stations on the former Scottish Region and on the Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd. Clyde Services listed in (if specified). The boundary stations are: BP3.1 With the former Eastern and Anglia Regions: Berwick-upon-Tweed, Carlisle. BP3.2 Carlisle. BP4 With the former London Midland Region: Southern Region Between all stations on the former Southern Region. The boundary stations are: BP4.1 With the former Western Region: Reading, Westbury (via Warminster only), Yeovil Junction (via Sherborne only), Kensington Olympia, Dorchester West. BP4.2 With the former London Midland Region: Kensington Olympia, Farringdon, South Acton. Available also on the following LOROL services: BP4.3 To Dalston Junction (replacing the former Metropolitan & District LU services between Shoreditch and New Cross/New Cross Gate Available also on the following TfL LU services: BP4.4 (i) (ii) Metropolitan and District Lines: Putney Bridge to Wimbledon. Turnham Green to Richmond. BP4.5 Waterloo and City Line: Waterloo to Bank. BP5 Western Region Between all stations on the former Western Region. The boundary stations are: BP5.1 With the former London Midland Region: Craven Arms, Birmingham New Street (via Barnt Green/ Hartlebury only), Banbury, Kensington Olympia. BP5.2 With the former Southern Region: Reading, Salisbury (via Warminster or Sherborne only), Kensington Olympia, Weymouth (via Dorchester West only). 11

12 Available also on the following TfL LU services: BP5.3 Metropolitan, Hammersmith & City and District & Circle Lines: (i) Paddington to Notting Hill Gate - Circle Line, for through journeys between Paddington and East Acton or westwards but not to alight/board in between or at Notting Hill Gate. (ii) Paddington (Suburban) to Hammersmith (H&C). (iii) Earl s Court to Kensington Olympia. (iv) Baker Street to Watford, Chesham or Amersham, but not for alighting/boarding between Baker Street and Harrow-on-the-Hill. BP5.4 Central Line: Ealing Broadway or West Ruislip to White City and in the case of through journeys between East Acton or westwards and Paddington; also between White City and Notting Hill Gate, but not to alight/board between White City and Notting Hill Gate or at Notting Hill Gate. 3.4 Other additional facilities for long-serving Active/Retired Safeguarded Staff Joined prior to You may also travel on Caledonian MacBrayne s Clyde Services. This entitlement will be indicated on a Status Pass and/or Staff Travel Card. Joined prior to You may also travel on Tyne & Wear Metro Services. This entitlement will be indicated on a Status Pass and/or Staff Travel Card. 3.5 TOC Non-Safeguarded Active Staff, Leisure Travel This is delivered via the TOC Privilege Card, which is issued upon completion of one month s service (but 6 months for Southeastern) with a TOC. You can use it to purchase unlimited privilege-rate (quarterrate, or 75% discount on the Anytime fare) national rail journeys. You may also purchase tickets which include a TfL rail/underground journey but only when travelling THROUGH London between two national rail stations on either side of London. The agreement underwriting this non-contractual arrangement is reviewed annually by TOCs, and may be withdrawn at any time. 12

13 3.6 TOC Non-Safeguarded Active Staff, Residential Travel This is delivered via a Reduced Rate Season Ticket, available immediately upon commencing employment with a TOC. You can use it to purchase a Q-rate season ticket. Reduced Rate Season Tickets may also be used for leisure travel. Reduced Rate Season Tickets DO NOT include any element of London travel (LU, DLR, buses). The agreement underwriting this non-contractual arrangement is reviewed annually by TOCs, and may be withdrawn at any time. 3.7 Sleeper Services Active/Retired safeguarded staff and their eligible dependants (including widow/ers) and TOC nonsafeguarded active staff and their eligible family members are entitled to the following: First ScotRail s Caledonian Sleepers from Euston 75% discount off the public fare (single only), inclusive of travel and berth accommodation, on presentation of a Staff Travel Card (no need to date a box) or a TOC Privilege Card. Reduced fares are subject to availability and must be booked in advance. First Great Western Sleepers from Paddington/Reading 75% discount off the most expensive Advance-Inclusive package in each type of accommodation (solo or twin) on presentation of a Staff Travel Card (no need to date a box) or a TOC Privilege Card. However this availability is quota controlled. If no privilege-rate advance package tickets are left, you will need to: Either purchase a privilege rate ticket and pay the sleeper supplement Or date a box on your Staff Travel Card and pay the sleeper supplement 13

14 SECTION 4: TRAVEL FACILITIES ON OTHER UNDERTAKINGS IN GREAT BRITAIN Travel facilities are granted to Active/Retired Safeguarded staff, and Active TOC Non-Safeguarded Staff, on some other UK transport undertakings as indicated below. Unless otherwise stated, reduced rate travel only is available, and for leisure use only. Generally speaking if an undertaking separated from BR before privatisation, its services will only be available to Safeguarded Active and Retired staff. If separation was at privatisation, or the company in question has agreed, its services will also be available for TOC Non-Safeguarded Active staff. This is made clear by continued colour coding throughout the list. 4.1 Rail Bala Lake Railway Bodmin & Wenford Railway Brecon Mountain Railway (including Vale of Rheidol) Bure Valley Railway Colne Valley Railway Crich Tramway Village - Home of the National Tramway Museum East Lancashire Railway Embsay Steam Railway Eurostar Services (operated jointly by Eurostar International Ltd, SNCF and SNCB) o Special rate tickets are available on Eurostar between London/Ashford and Lille/Paris/Brussels/Avignon. Tickets and reservations are obtainable via an International Reduced Rate Card or undated Staff Travel Card (with the appropriate endorsement), which should be carried with you on the journey. However since the STC may not be recognized in France/Belgium should you need to change your return journey, it might be better to use your FIP card. o Although tickets can be purchased on the day of travel at the stations served, it is better to obtain tickets in advance apply on Form 1413 or tel o The charges made for these tickets are to cover the Eurotunnel Toll, the reservation administration fee and (in the case of first class travel) the cost of 'at seat' refreshments. o Reservations on Eurostar services are compulsory. o Reservations can be made in Standard Premier (1 st class) by holders of 1 st Class and STD Class FIP and Staff Travel Cards. o Upgrades from Standard Class to Standard Premier may be requested on the day of travel at Eurostar stations, or on board, and are subject to availability. Staff who upgrade in this way are not guaranteed any refreshments and may have to move if a late booking means that their new seat is required by a first class non-staff paying customer. Ffestiniog Railway (includes Welsh Highland Railway, Caernarfon) o The issue of privilege tickets is subject to accommodation being available (eg during special events). In place of 2 nd class accommodation, the Railway provides 3 rd class. Great Central Railway based in Loughborough. Not to be confused with Grand Central. Heathrow Express 14

15 o Privilege tickets may be purchased from the Heathrow Express booking offices at Heathrow and Paddington. Isle of Wight Railway Kent and East Sussex Railway Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway Llanberis Lake Railway London Tramlink (formerly Croydon Tramlink) o Unlimited free leisure travel is granted on all London Tramlink services. Show your Staff Travel Card (no need to date a box) or TOC Privilege Card Mid-Hants Railway (Watercress Line) North Norfolk Railway North Yorkshire Moors Railway Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway o Privilege tickets are issued only at Ravenglass Booking Office, are not available on Bank Holidays, and are always subject to accommodation being available. Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Light Railway o Privilege rate tickets are only issued if purchasing a RomneyRover and are not available for use on special event days (see the RHDR timetable and guide - Severn Valley Railway Snowdon Mountain Railway o Privilege rate tickets are issued for return journeys only. South Devon Railway Strathspey Railway Swanage Railway Talyllyn Railway Tyne & Wear Metro (Safeguarded Active & Retired Staff only o Free travel is granted and privilege tickets are issued only to staff who entered employment prior to 11 August If you cease to be eligible for Tyne & Wear Metro facilities on leaving the service, you cannot have these reinstated if you re-enter employment with an Eligible Employer unless there is no gap between leaving the first Eligible Employer and joining the second. o To obtain free travel, use your appropriately dated Staff Travel Card. Only SINGLE privilege tickets are available and to obtain these, you should press the CHILD fare button on ticket issuing machines. o When travelling you should carry you Staff Travel Card (or Status Pass if held) to support the ticket. o On Tyne & Wear Metro's Heworth to Sunderland service the same ticketing arrangements apply. However, exceptionally, they apply also to Active or Retired safeguarded staff who entered employment on or after 11 August West Coast Railway Company o Steam-hauled main line charter trains operate a daily return service between Fort William and Mallaig from June to September. You can travel on these services at a privilege rate of a quarter of the published price. Tel or West Somerset Railway 15

16 4.2 Shipping P&O Ferries (Dover-Calais & Hull-Zeebrugge/Rotterdam) Staff Travel Cards and TOC Privilege Cards issued to staff and their dependants are recognised on services operated by P&O Ferries (Dover-Calais and Hull-Zeebrugge/Rotterdam). A discount is available for travel on any of the Dover-Calais, Hull-Zeebrugge (new), and Hull-Rotterdam (new) routes. This discount will be given on the standard fares for any duration available through the P&O Ferries website or the P&O Ferries call centre. In addition, Travel on the Dover-Calais route as a Foot Passenger (without a vehicle) is free except for the port taxes charged. To take advantage of these special concessions you must purchase your ticket in advance. The discounted fares are available to book on line through or the P&O Ferries Customer Services Team on or RTS.supportgroup@poferries.com. Please note that telephone bookings attract an additional charge of approximately 5. The Port Tax tickets for travel as a Foot Passenger are not yet available to book on-line. For these simply ring P&O Ferries Customer Services Team on the usual telephone booking charge will not be applied to these bookings since they cannot be booked on line. You can also use Form Please remember that you must present your Staff Travel Card/TOC Privilege Card and Photo Identity Card at the port when you check-in for travel. Failure to do so will result in being refused travel Stena Line Irish Services Staff Travel Cards (no need to date a box) and TOC Privilege Cards issued to staff and their dependants are recognised on services operated by Stena Line for free travel on its services to the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Port Tax tickets must be obtained in advance and must be presented at the embarkation port. To obtain a port tax ticket and to make a booking, telephone Stena Line's Central Concession Team on This office will ask you to fax a photocopy of the Staff Travel Card/TOC Privilege Card and Photo Identity Card (where held) to as confirmation of eligibility. Port Tax tickets are not required for children under 4 years of age. Stena Line also offers a concessionary arrangement for the conveyance of vehicles. Currently the offer is 50% off the normal brochure prices for return trips of 5 days or more OR 25% off the price of trips of a shorter duration. Booking arrangements are as set out above. 16

17 4.2.3 Irish Ferries Irish Ferries operate services between Pembroke Dock and Rosslare, and between Holyhead and Dublin. Active full time salaried Safeguarded Employees who are eligible for National Rail travel facilities are granted free travel on two occasions a year for themselves, their legally married spouses/civil partners and all dependent children. Apply 8 weeks in advance on Form 1409 giving full details of the specific journeys (date and sailing time) required. These free facilities are not issued to part-time Safeguarded Employees, housekeepers, Retired Safeguarded Employees (and their families) widow(er)s or Active TOC Non-Safeguarded Staff. However, these groups can enjoy unlimited priv-rate journeys. Privilege tickets must be obtained at the Company s offices before travel Caledonian MacBrayne (Safeguarded Active & Retired Staff only) Available only to staff who entered service prior to 1 January 1971 and only on routes listed below. On routes 1 10 free travel is granted, a maximum of twice per annum, only to eligible Active full time salaried staff, their legally married spouses/civil partners and up to two dependent children. Apply on Form 1409 giving 10 days notice. Individual tickets will then be issued for specific journeys. These tickets are valid only with a Staff Travel Card (no need to date a box). Free travel, obtained by use of a dated Staff Travel Card (or Status Pass), is granted to all eligible Active and Retired staff, their legally married spouses/civil partners and dependent children on routes only. Reduced rate travel is available to all eligible Active and Retired staff, their legally married spouses/civil partners and dependent children upon presentation of a valid undated Staff Travel Card at the Company s booking offices. (1) Ullapool Stornoway (2) Uig Tarbert (3) Uig Lochmaddy (4) Mallaig Armadale (5) Oban Craignure (6) Oban Castlebay/Lochboisdale (7) Oban Coll Tiree (8) Oban Colonsay (9) Kennacraig Port Askaig Colonsay (10) Kennacraig Port Ellen Port Askaig (11) Ardrossan Brodick (12) Ardrossan-Campbelltown (summer only) (13) Wemyss Bay Rothesay (14) Gourock Dunoon (actually operated by Argyll Ferries, a CalMac subsidiary) 17

18 4.2.5 Isle of Man Steam Packet Company (Safeguarded Active & Retired Staff only) The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company operates services between Heysham/Liverpool and Douglas; and between Douglas and Dublin/Belfast. Free travel is granted by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company on its services on two occasions per year to full time Active salaried Safeguarded Employees for yourself only. Apply on Form 1409 giving 6 weeks notice. Individual tickets are then issued for specific journeys. For all other Safeguarded categories, privilege tickets are issued for return journeys only at the ordinary single fare valid three months for outward and return journeys. Privilege tickets must be obtained at the Company s office at the port of embarkation Windermere Lake Cruises Unlimited free travel is granted to all Active and Retired Safeguarded staff, and TOC Non-Safeguarded active staff, and their dependants. Before boarding, a Boarding Pass must be obtained by producing a valid Staff Travel Card (no need to date a box) or TOC Privilege Card at the Company s booking offices at Ambleside, Bowness or Lakeside Wightlink Services (Safeguarded Active & Retired Staff only) Travel facilities are available only to staff who entered the service prior to 1 April 1985 and only on the services between Portsmouth Harbour and Ryde ; and between Lymington and Yarmouth. Reduced rate travel is available to all eligible Active and Retired staff and their dependants upon presentation of a valid undated Staff Travel Card. Free travel can be obtained by use of a dated Staff Travel Card (but NOT a Status Pass). Residential travel is also granted to staff on Wightlink services and for this purpose, the shipping company will honour Residential Passes as long as these are endorsed via Wightlink services if part of a through journey, or specifically (eg Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde) if that is the extent of the residential journey sought. Wightlink also grants eligible staff a 50% reduction on the standard vehicle and driver tariff which applies on the Portsmouth to Fishbourne service to single, day return and return tickets, although this is not available for commercial vehicles, caravans or trailers. All other passengers in the vehicle are able to travel free or at privilege rate (if eligible) or at the appropriate full fare. You must make a reservation in advance by phoning There are no restrictions on foot passenger services but Wightlink do not offer the concessionary vehicle arrangements during the peak summer holiday period (roughly mid July to late August) on Saturdays on sailings departing between and hours. 18

19 SECTION 5: TRAVEL FACILITIES IN LONDON Transport for London s Services (Safeguarded Active & Retired Staff only) Although the entitlement for travel within London can seem complicated, it is actually quite logical: The more senior you are, the greater the travel benefits (so in the table below, the benefits are cumulative) As usual, Retired staff and family members are not entitled to residential travel Widow(ers) receive the same benefits as did the staff member The most economical method of travelling around London is with an Oyster card, so TfL facilities are described in Oyster terms where appropriate The interavailable routes mentioned in the table are listed in full below it Break of journey is not allowed at LU stations ie a broken journey counts as two separate ones Level of benefit For whom How obtained 1. On the Interavailable routes ONLY: Leisure: limited free travel SG Active SG Retired Staff Travel Card (dated) Leisure: unlimited free travel Residential: limited free travel BUT with exceptions noted below*** Residential: unlimited free travel Family members of the above Senior SG Active Senior SG Retired Family members of the above SG Active Senior SG Active 2. On the Interavailable routes AND on TfL s rail only services (ie LU, DLR) Leisure: unlimited privilege rate travel SG Active SG Retired Family members of the above Gold/Silver Status Pass OR Blue Status Pass if region specified Residential Pass OR Included on a Privilege Season Ticket Gold/Silver Status Pass OR Blue Status Pass if region specified Pre-Pay Privilege Oyster Card (or single/return privilege rate tickets purchased with Staff Travel Card) Residential: unlimited priv rate travel SG Active up to/incl MS4 Included on a Privilege Season Ticket 3. On the Interavailable routes AND on ALL TfL s rail and bus services Leisure only: Spouse of SG Active graded EGU Privilege Oyster for spouse Unlimited free travel only Leisure & Residential: Unlimited free travel Oyster Status Pass SG Active graded MS5 or above and based in London OR Graded EG4 or above and based anywhere 19

20 There are separate rules governing the acquisition, registration and use of Oyster cards, full details of which are contained on the application forms Form Active and Form Retired. However, a brief overview of what to do follows: How to use your facilities in London The reciprocal exchange of travel facilities with Transport for London (TfL) allows holders of Staff Travel Cards to purchase tickets for leisure travel on London Underground (LUL) services at Q rate. Just present your Staff Travel Card at an LUL ticket office to obtain the reduced fare. If your Staff Travel Card has an endorsement of 9, 10 or 11 on the face of the card (see reverse of card for key to endorsement) you are not entitled to privilege rate travel on LUL services. This endorsement was fixed at the point of retirement and therefore cannot be changed to permit eligibility, now or in the future. Oyster fares are considerably cheaper than cash fares. Therefore regular leisure travellers on LUL services will find it cheaper and more convenient to have a Pre-pay Privilege Rate Oyster Card, which when topped up with money either online or at a machine located on an LUL station may be used to travel at a quarter of the public Oyster fare. To use your Oyster Card you touch it on the yellow card reader located on the ticket barrier at the start and end of your journey, and the applicable privilege rate Oyster fare will be taken from the amount of credit you have on the card. Please note that if you do not touch in and out at either end of your journey the maximum Oyster fare will be taken and you may be liable for a penalty fare or prosecution. Your Pre-pay Privilege Rate Oyster Card may also be used to travel on TfL bus services. However, this will be at the full public Oyster fare. To obtain a card complete an application form Form Active or Form Retired. Once completed and authorised take the form together with your Staff Travel Card to an LUL station ticket office. You will be required to pay a refundable deposit (currently 5) at the time the card is issued. To continue to receive the benefit of the privilege rate Oyster fare you will need to update your card with your new Staff Travel Card details each year by 30 June. Just take your new Staff Travel Card to a London Underground ticket office, and your Oyster Card will be updated. Please note that if you do not update your Oyster Card by 30 June you will find that any use of the card from 1 July will result in the full Oyster fare being deducted instead of the privilege rate Oyster fare. TOC Non-Safeguarded active staff For the avoidance of doubt, TOC Non-Safeguarded active staff, and their dependants, are NOT entitled to any concessionary travel within London on TfL services. The only exception to this rule is the purchase of nationally-based Q-rate leisure journey that necessitates crossing London (eg Leeds to Brighton). In this case the through ticket allows you to transfer between London mainline terminals. 20

21 Interavailable routes The interavailable routes (ie those where both national rail and TfL trains used to operate) are between the following points and at intermediate stations unless otherwise stated: Metropolitan, Hammersmith & City and District & Circle Lines: (i) Moorgate to Kings Cross; (ii) Baker Street* to Watford, Chesham or Amersham, but not for alighting/boarding between Baker Street and Harrow-on-the-Hill; (*Gold Status Passes additionally valid from Euston Square) (iii) Paddington to Notting Hill Gate - Circle Line, for through journeys between Paddington and East Acton or westwards but not for alighting/boarding in between or at Notting Hill Gate; (iv) Paddington (Suburban) to Hammersmith (H&C); (v) Tower Hill to Upminster (except at Aldgate East); (vi) Putney Bridge to Wimbledon; (vii) Turnham Green to Richmond; (vii ) Earl s Court to Kensington (Olympia) Northern Line: Moorgate to Mill Hill East or High Barnet via Archway, but not for alighting/boarding between Kings Cross and Highgate, except at Kentish Town Central Line: (i) Liverpool Street to Epping or Hainault, via Woodford or Newbury Park. (ii) Ealing Broadway or West Ruislip to White City and in the case of through journeys between East Acton or westwards and Paddington; also between White City and Notting Hill Gate, but not for alighting/boarding between White City and Notting Hill Gate or at Notting Hill Gate Bakerloo Line: Paddington to Harrow & Wealdstone Jubilee Line: Stratford to Canning Town Piccadilly Line: Finsbury Park to Kings Cross but not for alighting/boarding in between Victoria Line: Finsbury Park or Highbury & Islington to Kings Cross Waterloo and City: Waterloo to Bank Docklands Light Railway: Tower Gateway to Limehouse 21

22 ***Safeguarded Active Staff only Residential Passes (made out with appropriate availability) are also valid on the above lines BUT with the exception of: Hammersmith & City Line: Valid only between Paddington (Suburban) and Westbourne Park and not valid at Royal Oak. District Line Valid between Tower Hill and Upminster but not for alighting/boarding between Tower Hill and Bow Road, except at Aldgate East when shown on the pass. Northern Line Not valid between Moorgate and Kings Cross or at Kentish Town Central Line Not valid at Bethnal Green or Mile End or between Ealing Broadway and North Acton 22

23 SECTION 6: TRAVEL FACILITIES ON FOREIGN UNDERTAKINGS 6.1 European (FIP) Arrangements This is generally made available by the International Reduced Rate Card (for unlimited reduced rate travel), or by International Coupons (for limited free travel), as appropriate. Who is entitled? Reduced rate or free rail travel is granted to Active Safeguarded employees and to partners and dependent children on the FIP carriers as indicated below. After one year s service, reduced rate or free rail travel is granted to TOC Active Non-Safeguarded employees and to partners and dependent children on all the FIP carriers listed below. For Retired Safeguarded employees to qualify for reduced rate or free rail travel, you must still be eligible to receive domestic leisure travel facilities on the National Rail network and must also have been: 1. If retired before 1 January 1982: a. At least 55 years old when retiring; or b. Below 55 years of age and taking ill-health retirement or redundancy, but having completed 20 years continuous service. 2. If retired after 1 January 1982: a. Eligible for FIP facilities for at least 10 years of active service; or b. Prematurely retired as a result of an accident at work, but eligible for FIP facilities at that point. Different qualifying criteria again apply to widow(ers). For information about your specific circumstances, please check with RSTL. In addition, if you retire after 1 January 1984 and are eligible for FIP facilities at that point, you may apply for and use any coupons NOT already issued from your last annual allocation at any time up to 9 months beyond the date of retirement. These coupons must then be used within 3 months. In further addition ie as well as coupons under the 9 month rule, you can ALSO apply for and use one free coupon on each participating FIP undertaking at any time up to 45 months beyond the date of retirement. These coupons are valid for 3 months. These two additional concessions are generally referred to as the 9 month rule and the 45 month rule. 23

24 General Some general guidelines on getting the best out of travel in Europe can be found online The class of travel allowed by European carriers is the same as that granted to an employee on National Rail. Unlike travel on National Rail where upgrading is not permitted, this practice is allowed on FIP journeys as long as the difference in the public fare between second and first class for the journey being undertaken is paid for in advance. It is an offence for an employee entitled to second class facilities to travel first class unless the difference in fare has been paid prior to travel. Any cases that are reported may result in withdrawal of travel concessions. Restrictions are imposed by FIP carriers from time to time and details are circulated and can be found in Staff Travel Restrictions. Supplements are payable on many express services, particularly InterCity Express (ICE) and Trains à Grande Vitesse (TGV). It is normally more expensive to purchase supplements on trains as opposed to those obtained from the booking/travel office. Free Travel Details Free travel is granted usually once a year on most of the FIP carriers to all active staff and in some cases to retired staff, and also to partners and dependent children (see table below for details). International Free Coupons are issued for this purpose. If a partner or child is issued with an International free coupon ticket to travel without the employee, this counts against the employee s quota. International Free Coupons are valid for a maximum period of 3 months from date of issue. They are only valid for travel use in conjunction with the Passport of the traveller. For International Free Coupons, apply on Form 1409 and submit via your normal travel facilities administration point (see Contacts) - 3 weeks notice required. We will try to process applications received with less notice but cannot guarantee it, especially at busy holiday times. International Free Coupon Tickets are issued as a batch for the journey requested. If a coupon has been part- used on a railway adjoining or bordering the railway of issue, it may not be used again for any further journeys on this railway after the return journey has been made to the issuing railway (ie in this case, the UK). For the avoidance of doubt, adjoining railways are those which are linked to ATOC/GBPR by another FIP member, including ferries and Eurostar. Therefore the adjoining railways are SNCF, SNCB, NS, NIR, CIE (France, Belgium, Holland, N. Ireland, Republic of Ireland) but not Denmark or Norway. Part-used coupons for non-adjoining countries may therefore still be used up. Unused coupons may still be used for another journey, as long as their overall period of validity has not been exceeded. 24