Rail Staff Travel Guide for
holders of the Rail Staff Leisure Card
Rail Staff Travel is part of the Rail Delivery Group
Rail Staff Travel Guide for holders of the Rail Staff Leisure Card
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Contents
Section 1: Introduction ___________________________________ 5
Section 2: Types of Travel and the concession available ________ 6
Leisure Travel _____________________________________________ 6
Residential Travel (i.e. commuting) ____________________________ 7
Duty Travel _______________________________________________ 9
Section 3: Rail Staff Travel products _______________________ 10
Rail Staff Leisure Card ______________________________________ 10
Staff discounted (priv rate) Season Ticket ______________________ 11
Obtaining a Staff discounted (priv rate) Season/Flexi-Season Ticket ______ 11
Refunds of staff discounted (priv rate) Season or Flexi-Season Tickets ____ 12
Photo ID card for staff discounted (priv rate) Season Ticket or Flexi Season 12
FIP International Reduced Rate Card __________________________ 13
International FIP Coupons __________________________________ 13
Loss & Replacement of Rail Staff Leisure Cards or Passes __________ 14
Section 4: Joining, mobility within, and leaving the rail industry 15
Joining a TOC _____________________________________________ 15
Moving from one TOC to another TOC_________________________ 15
Resignation, retirement, redundancy or dismissal _______________ 16
Section 5: Eligibility of family members ____________________ 17
Spouse/Partners and child dependants ________________________ 17
Divorce or separation from a spouse/partner _______________________ 18
Children no longer dependant on the employee _____________________ 18
More eligibility information ______________________________________ 19
Facilities for a couple, both employed in the rail industry _________ 19
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Section 6: Travel on National Rail _________________________ 20
Leisure Travel ____________________________________________ 20
Staff discounted (priv rate) tickets ________________________________ 20
Staff Travel Restrictions and complimentary refreshments _____________ 22
Class of Travel _________________________________________________ 23
Seat Reservations ______________________________________________ 24
How to buy a staff discounted (priv rate) ticket, and what to do if this is not
possible ______________________________________________________ 24
Residential Travel (Commuting) ______________________________ 25
Sleeper Services __________________________________________ 25
Caledonian Sleepers ____________________________________________ 25
Great Western Railway sleepers __________________________________ 27
Train delays and service disruption ___________________________ 28
Travel Irregularities ________________________________________ 28
Complaints ______________________________________________ 29
Section 7: National Rail services in Great Britain _____________ 30
Section 8: Other undertakings in Great Britain_______________ 31
Rail _____________________________________________________ 31
Eurostar _____________________________________________________ 31
Grand Central _________________________________________________ 32
Heathrow Express _____________________________________________ 32
Hull Trains ____________________________________________________ 32
London Tramlink_______________________________________________ 33
LUMO _______________________________________________________ 33
West Coast Railway Company - The Jacobite ________________________ 33
Heritage Railways (generally not on the National Rail network) _________ 33
Shipping _________________________________________________ 36
P&O Ferries (Dover-Calais & Hull-Rotterdam) _______________________ 36
Tel: 01304 448 888. Hours of operation daily 07.30 until 21.00 (22.00 from
Easter to September). Telephone bookings attract an additional charge of
approximately £5, unless paying Port Tax tickets only. Stena Line Irish
Services ______________________________________________________ 37
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Stena Line Harwich to Hook of Holland _____________________________ 39
Irish Ferries ___________________________________________________ 39
Windermere Lake Cruises _______________________________________ 40
Luton Airport _____________________________________________ 40
Luton DART ___________________________________________________ 40
Section 9: Travel in London ______________________________ 41
National Rail Services in the Oyster area _______________________ 41
Section 10: Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland ______ 43
Section 11: Foreign Undertakings _________________________ 44
European (FIP) Arrangements _______________________________ 44
Free Travel ___________________________________________________ 45
Reduced rate travel FIP Cards ___________________________________ 47
Booking reduced rate tickets or obtaining reservations for free travel ____ 48
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Section 1: Introduction
This is a guide to the National and International rail staff travel facilities
granted to employees who joined rail employment on or after 1 April 1996
and their eligible dependants. If you work for Network Rail and joined on or
after 1 April 1996 you should refer to the guide Rail Staff Travel Guide for
holders of the RST Online Leisure Card.
Employees who joined the rail industry on or before 31 March 1996 should
refer to the guide Rail Staff Travel Guide for holders of the Staff Travel Card.
The eligibility for facilities is defined in the TOC Privilege Travel
Arrangement.
This guide gives you an overview of the benefits you might enjoy. It is not a
legally binding document.
The TOC Privilege Travel Arrangement is a non-contractual arrangement
reviewed annually by TOCs and which may be withdrawn at any time.
TOC or group concessions available through specific employers are outside
the scope of this Guide.
Use of travel facilities is subject at all times to the:
Rail Staff Travel Conditions of Issue and Use
www.raildeliverygroup.com/rst/conditions-of-issue-and-use.html
National Rail Conditions of Travel www.nationalrail.co.uk/nrcot
Travel Restrictions (updated a minimum of twice a year)
www.raildeliverygroup.com/rst/where-can-i-go.html.
You can get further information from Rail Staff Travel by emailing
rst@raildeliverygroup.com
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Section 2: Types of Travel and the concession available
The purpose of your journey determines which type of rail staff travel
facility you can use.
Leisure Travel
This is classified as travelling for social/pleasure reasons (as long as it does
not fall within the Residential Travel or Duty Travel categories or involve
trading or other remunerative activity).
The use of staff discounted (priv rate) tickets for leisure travel is permitted
for both employees, partners and child dependants.
Type of Travel
Concessions available
Notes
National:
Leisure Travel
Staff discounted (75%
discount) on full fare
(Anytime) tickets.
Staff discounted (75%
discount) on Off-Peak
Tickets
70min Flex fares on
selected LNER services
Discounted rate on many
Rovers and Rangers
International
Leisure
(discounted)
You will be issued with a
FIP Card (International
Reduced Rate Card) that
allows an unlimited 50%
discount. The discount on
CIE, NIR, SNCB, and SNCF
services is 75%,
Available after 1 years’
service.
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Type of Travel
Concessions available
Notes
International
Leisure (free)
Limited free travel with
one free coupon in each
calendar year per carrier (a
few offer two coupons in
each calendar year).
Mandatory reservations
and supplement charges
may apply on High-Speed
and long distance services.
Available after 1 years’
service.
A coupon is valid for 3
months giving 4 x 2-day
periods in which
unlimited free travel is
available. (Stena coupons
are 2 x single journeys for
travel).
Some carriers do not
allow coupons for
partners or dependant
children.
Other UK
Generally Staff discounted
(priv rate), but there are
differences by operator.
Leisure railways and
ferries have their own
offers and restrictions-
see the relevant section
for more information.
London (TfL)
No discount on London
Underground and
Docklands Light Railway
but free travel on London
Tramlink for Leisure travel.
National Rail concessions
apply on the Elizabeth
Line and London
Overground services.
Residential Travel (i.e. commuting)
Residential Travel is travelling from your permanent place of residence (i.e.
your home address) to your permanent place of regular employment (i.e.
your office, depot or station) or education (i.e. a university, college or
school), i.e. commuting.
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Employees can have only one place of regular employment and a child
dependant one place of regular education.
Dependant children who earn under the weekly threshold may not use staff
discounted (priv rate) Season Tickets for commuting to work. These are only
available for commuting to a place of education. If the child is in work you
should check whether they are still eligible for rail staff travel facilities.
Where dependant children attend an educational establishment on a full
time basis for school or advanced education and live away from the family
home in term time accommodation, then travel between the term time
accommodation and the school/university/college is considered residential
travel.
Occasional travel between the family home and the term time
accommodation (i.e. at the start and end of term, at weekends or
occasionally mid-week) is considered leisure travel.
The use of Priv Rate Season Tickets for Residential Travel is only permitted
for employees and dependant children. These can only be purchased once
Rail Staff Travel has authorised the application.
The use of single/return Priv-rate tickets for residential travel is not
permitted for employees, partners or child dependants.
Type of Travel
Concessions available
National:
Residential Travel
Staff discounted (priv
rate) 75% discount of
full fare season ticket on
National Rail services
only.
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Duty Travel
Duty Travel is travelling as required by your employment or employer
during the working day. This includes attending training events and
meetings.
The use of staff discounted (priv rate) tickets for Duty Travel is prohibited
for both employees, partners and child dependants.
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Section 3: Rail Staff Travel products
The Rail Staff Travel products available are:
Product
For what
Supporting ID
Rail Staff Leisure Card
1
Leisure (staff
discounted (priv rate))
None
Reduced Rate Season
Ticket
2
Residential (staff
discounted (priv rate))
Photocard or RST
Season Ticket
Smartcard
FIP International
Reduced Rate Card
Leisure (reduced rate)
Passport
International FIP
Coupons
Leisure (free)
Passport
Rail Staff Leisure Card
Leisure travel is delivered via the Rail Staff Leisure Card. You can use it to
purchase unlimited staff discounted (priv rate) tickets for leisure travel. It
cannot be used for free travel or to buy staff discounted (priv rate) tickets
for travelling to work.
1
A Rail Staff Leisure Card is not valid for the purchase of Reduced Rate Season
Tickets
2
Authority must be obtained from RST before each purchase at station.
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Staff discounted (priv rate) tickets can only be used by the Rail Staff Leisure
Card holder and are not transferrable to any other person.
Staff discounted (priv rate) Season Ticket
Residential Travel (i.e. commuting to and from work) is delivered through a
Priv Rate Season Ticket or a PrivRate Flexi-Season Ticket.
Obtaining a Staff discounted (priv rate) Season/Flexi-Season Ticket
Employees must apply to Rail Staff Travel for an authority to purchase a
staff discounted (priv rate) Season Ticket using the Employee Residential
Travel (XX01) form or Employee Priv-rate Flexi Season (XX32) available at
www.raildeliverygroup.com/rst/forms.html#resi
If the journey meets the criteria for a staff discounted (priv rate) season
ticket, Rail Staff Travel will authorise the journey. Depending on the
fulfilment method selected either:
an authority to purchase the staff discounted (priv rate) season
ticket will be sent to the employee to hand in at the ticket office
when buying the ticket Or
the employees RST Online account will be updated to enable the
purchase of the requested Season Ticket. The employee will need
to already hold an RST Season Ticket Smartcard.
Employees who choose to purchase their season ticket at the station will
need to apply to RST for an authorisation form for each season ticket they
buy.
Employees who choose to purchase their season ticket from RST Online will
have continuous authority to purchase consecutive season tickets for their
journey providing their home address and work location remain unchanged.
This means there is no need to apply when you wish to purchase a season
ticket for the same journey.
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You can also apply for a staff discounted (priv rate) Flexi Season ticket. A
Flexi Season allows eight days’ worth of travel within 28 days between two
stations. You need an RST Season Ticket Smartcard to be able to get one.
Flexi Seasons are not available for rail journeys entirely within the Scotrail
network, the Transport for Wales network or the MerseyRail travel area.
Flexi Seasons are also not available for journeys entirely within the London
Fare Zones Area. If your rail station falls within a Travelcard zone then you
won’t be able to get a Flexi Season. For example, Barnes to Waterloo is not
available on a Flexi Season. For that journey you need to either pay the full
fare or get a staff discounted (priv rate) Season Ticket. They are also not
valid on London Overground and TfL Rail services. If you live in London, you
can check whether your station is in the London Fare Zones Area at:
www.nationalrail.co.uk/London_Rail_Tube_0519.pdf
Refunds of staff discounted (priv rate) Season or Flexi-Season Tickets
For tickets bought at stations, an employee must submit the season ticket
to Rail Staff Travel to authorise the refund and complete Refund Form XX11.
Rail Staff Travel will accept a photo of the Season Ticket cut into four pieces
and a photo taken and emailed to Rail Staff Travel. You must also include
an image of the ticket before you cut it up so all details can be viewed.
Rail Staff Travel will then either arrange the refund if the ticket was
purchased via RST Online or send the ticket to the appropriate department
within the Train Operating Company to process the refund.
For tickets bought through RST Online, the employee can submit the refund
request in the ‘Your Account’ section of RST Online.
Photo ID card for staff discounted (priv rate) Season Ticket or Flexi Season
Photo ID is a mandatory requirement for all employees and child
dependants (including those under age 16) to support the use of a staff
discounted (priv rate) paper Season Ticket.
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For employees who hold an RST Season Ticket Smartcard and have their
Season Ticket loaded onto it, no further Photo ID is required. For those with
a paper ticket, the only valid form of Photo ID to support the staff
discounted (priv rate) Season Ticket is the pink Photocard ID used by the
general public which can be obtained free of charge from most station
booking offices.
The Rail Staff Leisure Card is not a valid form of identification for the
purchase or use of a staff discounted (priv rate) Season Ticket or Flexi
Season.
Please note that in very limited circumstances a spouse/partner may be
eligible for a staff discounted (priv rate) Season ticket. Please contact Rail
Staff Travel for more information.
FIP International Reduced Rate Card
See the later section in this document on Foreign Undertakings for more
information.
International FIP Coupons
See the later section in this document on Foreign Undertakings for more
information.
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Loss & Replacement of Rail Staff Leisure Cards or Passes
All losses, for any reason, must be reported to RST immediately, even if you
are not going to order a replacement. If you do not and someone else is
found using it, you will be liable for the misuse. A replacement fee is payable
if cards are lost, damaged or destroyed. The fee may be waived if loss is the
result of theft, robbery or fire, subject to evidence of this being produced
from the relevant police or fire service authorities.
Postal losses notified later than one month after the expiry date of the
previous card or pass will not be replaced free of charge but must be paid
for as if lost by the holder. There are no exceptions to this rule as this is to
support fraud prevention.
Likewise if you move and do not let RST know your new address, and are
unable to collect your cards/passes you will need to pay a replacement fee
before replacements can be issued.
The current replacement charges are £15.00 for each card/pass. To request
any replacement card or pass, please submit either:
Replacement of Lost or Damaged Cards (XX35)
Replacement of Faulty or Stolen Cards (XX34)
on the Forms page of the RST website at -
www.raildeliverygroup.com/rst/forms.html.
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Section 4: Joining, mobility within, and leaving the rail
industry
Joining a TOC
When you start employment, your employer will notify Rail Staff Travel and
provide us with your details. For most employers this is at the start of
employment, but this can vary by employer.
We will create your Rail Staff Travel record for you. We will require a
passport-style photo of you. You must submit this online at
www.raildeliverygroup.com/rst/photo-upload.html
Once we have your information and photo, we will automatically issue your
Rail Staff Leisure Card, and any other relevant TOC specific travel products
and send it to your home address.
You will also receive an email with your one-time pass-code so you can
register for RST Online.
Rail Staff Travel products may take up to 2 weeks to be created by the
production service and delivered to you. If you have not received them
within 4 weeks of starting, please contact RST.
Moving from one TOC to another TOC
If you move between Train Operating Companies and retain continuous
service (i.e. you finish with your TOC on one day and start with the new TOC
on the next working day) you may retain your National and International
travel passes, but you must return any TOC and group specific passes to the
TOC you are leaving.
If you have a gap in service between working for one TOC and another TOC,
you must return your Rail Staff Leisure Cards and FIP cards direct to RST.
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You need to cut each one into four, take a photo and email it to
rst@raildeliverygroup.com
You need to do this for family members as well. If employees fail to do this
and then join another TOC, RST will not issue any new cards/passes until
these expire or are returned.
There will be a gap in service if there are any business days between the
date supplied to RST by your former TOC as your leaving date, and the date
supplied to RST by your new TOC as your starting date.
Resignation, retirement, redundancy or dismissal
Your eligibility for national and international travel facilities ceases when
you leave employment with National Rail TOCs, regardless of the reason for
leaving.
All cards/passes issued by RST to you and all family members must be
returned to RST. You need to cut each one into four, take a photo and email
it to rst@raildeliverygroup.com
You need to do this for family members as well. If employees fail to do this
and then join another TOC, RST will not issue any new cards/passes until
these expire or are returned.
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Section 5: Eligibility of family members
Spouse/Partners and child dependants
As a general rule you can apply for travel facilities for the following:
one spouse or partner (providing you live together)
resident dependant children up to the age of 18
resident dependant children (though they may reside at another
address in term time if they attend college or university
elsewhere) between 18 and 25 subject to declaration of continued
eligibility
resident dependant children aged 25+ in very limited
circumstances
Children under age 5 travel for free on most National Rail services.
Therefore staff travel facilities are not normally issued until a child reaches
their 5
th
birthday. However RST will issue national staff travel facilities
once a child is over twelve months of age. FIP cards are issued to children
aged 4 and over on request, providing the employee holds an active FIP
card.
Once a child dependant is earning over the weekly limit (unless they are in
full time education and earning more during the holiday time only) then
they are not eligible for rail staff travel facilities.
It is up to the employee to decide whether spouse/partners and child
dependants are issued with rail staff travel facilities. No spouse/partner or
child dependant is independently eligible for anything.
Spouse/Partners and child dependants generally receive the same National
leisure-only benefits as the employee.
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The Employee is responsible for the correct use of rail staff travel facilities
by partners and child dependants.
Employees can apply online at
www.raildeliverygroup.com/rst/forms.html#family
The forms are
Add Spouse or Partner (XX02a) - if for a partner you will also need
the Partner Declaration (XX03)
Add Child Dependant (XX02b)- if child is aged 18 or over you will
also need the Child Declaration (XX05)
Divorce or separation from a spouse/partner
In the event of divorce or legal separation, or no longer living together, all
cards and passes for the spouse/partner must be returned.
Once a partner is no longer eligible the employee must inform RST
immediately by completing a Dependant Card Not Required form XX24 on
the RST website. The cards and passes must be returned to RST by signed
for delivery or images of them cut up must be sent by e-mail to
rst@raildeliverygroup.com
You cannot apply for facilities for any new spouse/partner until the passes
from the first partner have been returned or have expired by date.
The Travel Irregularities section contains information on how employees
not making RST aware of any changes can impact on the employees
eligibility to rail staff travel.
Children no longer dependant on the employee
When children are no longer dependant on the employee, either by gaining
employment, leaving home or entering into a serious relationship, all cards
and passes must be returned.
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The employee must inform RST immediately by completing a Dependant
Card Not Required form XX24 on the RST website. The cards and passes
must be returned to RST by signed for delivery or images of them cut up
must be sent by e-mail to [email protected]m
More eligibility information
More specific details about individual circumstances, categories, variations
and eligibility is available online and employees should check this, or
contact RST, if they are ever in doubt about eligibility of one of their
children.
Conditions of Issue and Use
www.raildeliverygroup.com/rst/conditions-of-issue-and-use.html
Eligibility of Family Members
www.raildeliverygroup.com/rst/eligibility.html
Facilities for a couple, both employed in the rail industry
As a general rule, upon becoming an “employed couple”, you can opt for
leisure travel in your own right, or as a partner. This must apply to both
National and international leisure travel. You can however retain residential
travel and your TOC Specific travel offered by your employer separately as
an employee, even if you take your leisure travel through your partner.
European (FIP) travel must align with your national travel facilities, as
opposed to TOC-specific, eligibility.
We recommend that you approach RST for specific guidance if you are
unsure.
Likewise children of employees who both work in the railway are only
eligible for one set of National rail staff travel facilities.
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Section 6: Travel on National Rail
Leisure Travel
Staff discounted (priv rate) tickets
Leisure travel is delivered via the Rail Staff Leisure Card.
You can use it to purchase unlimited staff discounted (priv rate) tickets for
leisure travel only, subject to the Restrictions on Travel as documented
above in section 2.
Staff discounted (priv rate) tickets can only be used by the Rail Staff Leisure
Card holder and are not transferrable to any other person.
The current Rail Staff Leisure Card is valid until the date printed on the
card.
Ticket Type
Discount available on National Rail services
Anytime
75% off the public fare
Off-Peak
75% off the public fare. Travel is subject to the same
time restrictions as the public ticket.
70 min flex
fares
75% off the public fare on a specific price point.
Only available through RST Online or at station ticket
offices. Not available on-board trains.
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Ticket Type
Discount available on National Rail services
Advance
Generally none, but some on selected LNER routes on a
specific price point.
Only available through RST Online or at station ticket
offices. Not available on-board trains.
Rovers and
Rangers
75% off the public fare for most Rovers and Rangers.
Some Rover and Rangers have no staff discount (priv
rate) available.
Plusbus Day
tickets
No discount available.
The Rail Staff Leisure Card on its own is not valid for the
purchase of a Plusbus Day ticket.
Plusbus Day tickets can be purchased at the appropriate
public rate if you present any of the following at the
ticket office:
staff discounted (priv rate) Anytime or Off-Peak
ticket
staff discounted (priv rate) Rover or Ranger
staff discounted (priv rate) Season Ticket
A PlusBus ticket cannot be bought if the origin and
destination stations of the rail journey indicated on the
ticket or pass are located wholly within the same
towns PlusBus travel zone (or within the same
metropolitan region: Greater Manchester; South
Yorkshire; West Midlands; West Yorkshire)
Plusbus
Season tickets
No discount available.
The Rail Staff Leisure Card on its own is not valid for the
purchase of a Plusbus Season ticket.
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Ticket Type
Discount available on National Rail services
Plusbus Season tickets can be purchased at the
appropriate public rate if you present any of the
following at the ticket office:
staff discounted (priv rate) Rover
staff discounted (priv rate) Season Ticket
The PlusBus season ticket may not extend beyond the
end of validity date of the Rover or Season Ticket.
Staff discounted (priv rate) tickets are not valid on TfL Underground and
DLR services in London except when the ticket shows the Cross-London
Indicator, in which case it may be used on the Underground to cross London
between the relevant London Terminal stations only.
Staff discounted (priv rate) tickets purchased with a Rail Staff Leisure Card
must not be used for business, trading, duty or residential (commuting to
work or travel to educational establishments).
The agreement underwriting this non-contractual arrangement for Non-
Safeguarded Leisure Travel is reviewed annually by TOCs and may be
withdrawn at any time.
Staff Travel Restrictions and complimentary refreshments
The use of staff discounted (priv rate) tickets and staff discounted (priv rate)
Season Tickets is subject to Staff Travel Restrictions on rail services. These
are updated at least twice per year on the RST website. They are published
on the website at www.raildeliverygroup.com/rst/where-can-i-go.html
It is the responsibility of the employee and their family member to ensure
they do not travel in contravention of the Staff Travel Restrictions. It is not
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the responsibility of RST Online or any ticket office or ticket clerk to know
whether or not the train you wish to travel on is subject to the Staff Travel
Restrictions.
Travelling on restricted services will be treated as a Travel Irregularity.
Train Operators have restrictions on the acceptance of complimentary
refreshments by holders of rail staff travel facilities.
As ticket inspection and refreshment service may be carried out by different
on-board staff, those providing refreshments may not know that you are
travelling using Rail Staff Travel facilities.
You must refuse refreshments when offered, unless the Staff Travel
Restrictions document specifically allows you to accept them.
Class of Travel
If you hold a STD class Rail Staff Leisure Card, then you may only buy
Standard Class staff discounted (priv rate) tickets and travel in Standard
Class.
Where a TOC offers Weekend First upgrades, Rail Staff Leisure Card holders
with Standard Class staff discounted (priv rate) tickets, may purchase the
Weekend First upgrade at the public rate and travel in First Class
accommodation.
A few TOCs may allow the purchase of upgrades for First Class using apps
such as Seatfrog, however, not all of them allow this. If it is permitted, it will
be documented in the Staff Travel Restrictions.
Apart from the exceptions above, you cannot pay the difference between
Standard Class and First Class fares to travel in First Class accommodation.
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If you hold a 1st Class Rail Staff Leisure Card, then you may buy either
Standard or First Class staff discounted (priv rate) tickets. If you buy
Standard Class staff discounted (priv rate) tickets, then you may only travel
in Standard Class accommodation.
Seat Reservations
When purchasing a staff discounted (priv rate) ticket it is normally possible
to make a seat reservation where available. Seat reservations are available
via RST Online either as part of a ticket purchase or separately if travelling
with a dated Staff Travel Card or Status Pass. Some TOCs restrict staff from
making seat reservations and the rules are in the Staff Travel Restrictions.
How to buy a staff discounted (priv rate) ticket, and what to do if this is
not possible
You can purchase tickets online your RST Online account. If you do not yet
have details on how to do this contact rst@raildeliverygroup.com
Where the station has a staffed ticket office, you must purchase a valid
ticket before you start a journey, irrespective of the length of queue or wait
time.
If you are travelling from a station within a Penalty Fare area, then you must
obtain a permit to travel at the public rate in accordance with the Penalty
Fare instructions displayed at the station.
If you board a train from a station with an open ticket office and have no
ticket, or from a station in a Penalty Fare area and you haven’t obtained a
‘promise to pay’ ticket, the train operator is within their right to refuse to
sell you a Priv-rate ticket and report it as a Travel Irregularity.
Only if the ticket office is closed, and there is no local ‘promise to pay’ in
use, can you buy a Priv-rate ticket on board a train. You must actively seek
out staff on-board the train, have your fare ready and offer to pay it at the
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first available opportunity. By offering to pay there can be no question that
you are trying to travel without paying.
If you don’t actively offer to pay, then you may be accused of fare
avoidance, and risk committing a Travel Irregularity. (See the separate
section on Travel Irregularities for the consequences).
Residential Travel (Commuting)
Residential travel can only be granted from the station nearest to your
home address and the station nearest your permanent work location.
A Rail Staff Leisure Card cannot be used to buy a Priv Rate Season Ticket or
daily tickets for travel to work or school/college.
Priv Rate Season Tickets are available immediately upon commencing
employment with a TOC once their purchase has been authorised by Rail
Staff Travel.
For more information see section Staff discounted (priv rate) Season
Ticket.’
Staff discounted (priv rate) Season Tickets may also be used for leisure
travel on the route specified.
Sleeper Services
Employees, spouse/partners and child dependants are eligible for staff
travel on Caledonian Sleeper and Great Western Railway Sleeper:
Caledonian Sleepers
On Caledonian Sleeper services between Euston and destinations in
Scotland there are two options available for staff discounted travel:
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1. 75% discount off the public fare (single only), inclusive of travel
and room accommodation (Solo or Twin Accommodation), on
presentation of a Rail Staff Leisure Card. Reduced fares are subject
to availability and can be purchased in advance from a National
Rail station or via RST Online.
2. Purchase a staff discounted (priv rate) Any time or Off Peak ticket
and pay the room supplement. There is no discount on the room
supplement. Room supplements can be booked online at
www.sleeper.scot
Please note that option 1 is usually cheaper.
Holders of Standard Class facilities may only travel in Classic
accommodation. Holders of Standard Class facilities must pay the full public
rate if they wish to travel in Club Class.
Holders of 1st Class facilities are eligible for discounted travel in either Club
or Classic accommodation.
There are no staff discounted rates on travel in Caledonian Doubles.
There is no discounted travel in the overnight seated accommodation. Rail
staff may use discounted travel in seated accommodation on daytime legs
between Kingussie Inverness, Edinburgh Fort William and Fort William
Edinburgh. Reservations are mandatory but this can only be made up to 7
days before travel. This applies to all travel facilities including 75%
discounted tickets, or season tickets.
Travelling with children on Caledonian Sleeper
When travelling with children, you may obtain 75% discount off the public
fare inclusive of travel and room accommodation on presentation of a Rail
Staff Leisure Card.
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You need to request a ‘Solo Room with free child’ ticket and the child
effectively travels for free.
Reduced fares are subject to availability and can be purchased in advance
from a National Rail station.
If there are more children travelling than adults with rail staff travel
facilities, then an additional room will have to be purchased at the 75%
discount adult rate.
Great Western Railway sleepers
Great Western operate the Night Riviera sleeper between London
Paddington and Penzance.
To travel you must purchase a staff discounted (priv rate) ticket and pay the
sleeping berth supplement.
The berth supplement is £60 for a berth in a twin cabin, or £90 for a berth
in a solo cabin. The twin cabin cannot be shared with a stranger, so if two
pass holders are travelling, the price is £120. There are no discounts on the
berth supplements for any category of customer (Child / Railcard / PRIV
etc.).
3
Staff discounted (priv rate) tickets may be used in the seated
accommodation, but seat reservations are strongly recommended.
Tickets can be purchased from a GWR managed station ticket office, or via
RST Online.
3
(Source: RST Ref: 90-003-003/D8250INC)
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Train delays and service disruption
When employees using their national leisure or residential travel
concessions are subject to train delays and service disruptions, they should
be dealt with no less favourably than the public insofar as the provision of
alternative transport, overnight accommodation or compensation (based
on actual fare paid if appropriate) is concerned.
Employees should apply for ‘Delay/Repay’ on the website of the TOC they
were travelling on.
Travel Irregularities
Employees are responsible for the proper use of all rail staff travel facilities
that are issued to themselves and their families.
The Employee has absolute discretion as to whether they allow their
spouse/partner and child dependant(s) to enjoy these facilities.
The Scheme sets out the penalties if any holder of any National or
International rail staff travel facility, whether employee, spouse/partner or
dependant child, attempts to use it fraudulently or allows someone else to
do so.
Generally, if a primary cardholder transgresses, the spouse/partner and all
dependants also lose their facilities; if a spouse/partner or dependant child
is at fault, then generally just that individual is subject to penalty.
Any person who is found to:
improperly use any Rail Staff Leisure Card
improperly use any ticket/pass issued by or on behalf of a TOC or
Group
transfer or any card, ticket or pass, or attempts to do so,
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will be liable to prosecution, permanent withdrawal of rail staff travel
facilities and, if an employee, possible dismissal.
Staff discounted (priv rate) leisure tickets purchased with a Rail Staff
Leisure Card are not valid for business, trading, duty or residential use
(commuting to work or travel to educational establishments) by either
employees, partners or dependant children. Where such cases are
detected they will be treated as a travel irregularity.
There is more information in the Travel Irregularities document on the RST
website www.raildeliverygroup.com/rst/where-can-i-go.html
Complaints
If you have a problem using Rail Staff Travel facilities on TOC services, you
should firstly raise the issue with the TOC concerned. Details of how to
contact each TOC can be found on their website.
If your complaint remains unresolved, then you should then raise your
complaint with the Rail Ombudsman. www.railombudsman.org
If you have problems in the following areas, please contact Rail Staff Travel
Using Travel facilities on non-TOC services, e.g. Leisure Railways
The service provided to you by Rail Staff Travel
Using FIP Rail Staff Travel facilities in Europe
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Section 7: National Rail services in Great Britain
Rail Staff Travel facilities are valid on the services of the following franchised
and concessionary National Rail train operating companies in Great Britain.
Avanti West Coast
C2c
Caledonian Sleeper
Chiltern Railways
CrossCountry
East Midlands Railway
Elizabeth line
Gatwick Express
Great Northern
Greater Anglia
Great Western Railway
London North Eastern Railway
London Overground
Merseyrail
Northern
Island Line (Isle of Wight)
Scotrail
South Western Railway
Southeastern Railway
Southern
Thameslink
TransPennine Express
Transport for Wales
West Midlands Trains operating
under two brand names
London Northwestern
Railway
West Midlands Railway
When a franchised or concessionary operator is replaced by another
franchised or concessionary operator, or any other operator appointed by
the Department for Transport, rail staff travel facilities remain valid on the
services provided by the new operator. The only exception is for employees
who are issued with a card/pass valid on operators within their TOC Owning
group. If operators are no longer part of a TOC Owning group then those
Group specific cards/passes will not be valid on those service.
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Section 8: Other undertakings in Great Britain
Travel facilities are granted to employees, spouse/partners and child
dependants on some other GB transport undertakings as indicated below.
Unless otherwise stated, only reduced rate travel is available, and for leisure
use only.
Rail
Eurostar
The Rail Staff Leisure Card does not offer discounts on Eurostar.
You can benefit from FIP discounted fares once you have an FIP
International Reduced Rate Card which should be carried with you on the
journey.
FIP fares are subject to availability (so the further in advance the FIP tickets
are booked, the greater the choice of trains available.
Reservations on Eurostar services are compulsory. For prices and booking
please see www.raildeliverygroup.com/rst/offers
Although tickets can be purchased on the day of travel at the stations
served, it is better to obtain tickets in advance through International Rail.
For International Rail, you can email them at sales@bookmyrst.co.uk or visit
the website www.bookmyrst.co.uk
There are also alternative agents, details can be found on our FAQs
www.raildeliverygroup.com/rst/faqs.html#IntBook
Reservations can be made in Standard Premier (1st class) by holders of 1st
Class FIP.
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You cannot upgrade from Standard Class to Standard Premier for holders of
Standard Class FIP.
Grand Central
Open access operator Grand Central accepts:
staff discounted (priv rate) tickets purchased with the Rail Staff
Leisure Card.
staff discounted (priv rate) season tickets
Heathrow Express
Open access operator accepts staff discounted (priv rate) tickets purchased
with a Rail Staff Leisure Card for leisure travel. Tickets can be purchased at
the ticket office at Paddington, or the ticket office at Terminals 2 and 3, or
the ticket office in the arrival hall at Terminal 4 and Terminal 5.
Alternatively, a Priv-Oyster card may be used. The fare charged will be the
staff discounted (priv rate) of the Peak or Off-Peak public single ticket as
appropriate.
Children under 16 travel free at all times on Heathrow Express, as long as
they travel with a fare-paying adult. Customers travelling with children
under 16 should ask Heathrow Express staff to open the ticket gate for
them, to allow entry to the platform. Children who have a 5-10 or an 11-15
Zip Oyster photocard or a Young Visitor discount added to a standard retail
Oyster card or to a Visitor Oyster card should not touch in or out as they will
be charged. There is no limit to the number of accompanied children
allowed to travel for free.
Hull Trains
Open access operator Hull Trains accepts:
staff discounted (priv rate) tickets purchased with the Rail Staff
Leisure Card.
staff discounted (priv rate) season tickets
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London Tramlink
Unlimited free leisure travel for Rail Staff Leisure Card holders (just show
your Rail Staff Leisure Card).
LUMO
Open access operator Lumo accepts:
staff discounted (priv rate) tickets purchased with the Rail Staff
Leisure Card.
staff discounted (priv rate) season tickets
LUMO services are standard class only. There is no 1st class
accommodation.
West Coast Railway Company - The Jacobite
Steam-hauled main line charter trains operate weekday return services
between Fort William and Mallaig typically from April to October, with
weekend return services for a slightly shorter period. You can travel on
these services at a privilege rate of a quarter of the published price.
There is no staff discounted (priv rate) available on 1st class fares.
4
West Coast Railway Company booking details:
Std class staff discounted (priv rate) tickets. Telephone: 01524 732100.
First class public rate tickets. Website westcoastrailways.co.uk
Heritage Railways (generally not on the National Rail network)
Staff discounted (priv rate) travel is generally not available on special event
days with leisure/heritage railways. You should check with the railway
4
Source RST Ref: 90-035-421/D7976INC
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before making a trip to ensure that staff discounted (priv rate) travel is
available on your intended day.
Staff discounted (priv rate) travel is obtained by presentation of the Rail
Staff Leisure Card. Other TOC specific and group specific passes will not be
accepted.
Railway company
Notes
Avon Valley Railway
Bala Lake Railway
Bluebell Railway
Bodmin & Wenford
Railway
Brecon Mountain Railway
Bure Valley Railway
Chinnor and Princes
Risborough Railway
5
Half-price adult tickets only when you book at
www.chinnorrailway.co.uk using the Offer Code
TOC. Under 5s get free travel and £3 flat-fare
for 5-15 years. Valid only on Standard Days, not
on Gala Days, Dining Services, or Santa Specials.
At the final Checkout, select the green REDEEM
BUTTON for the discount to be applied.
Crich Tramway Museum
National Tramway Museum (2 for 1 offer)
East Lancashire Railway
Discounts on Standard Travel (Green / Blue /
Orange Days) and steam/diesel galas can be
booked online in advance or on the day.
Discounts on some other special events (check
with ELR before booking).
customer.services@eastlancsrailway.co.uk
6
5
Source: RST Ref 90-035-031/D7661INC. This is a commercial offer provided
through the goodwill of the CPRR rather than a reciprocal arrangement with Rail
Staff Travel.
6
Source: RST Ref:90-035-427/D8368INC
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Railway company
Notes
Embsay Steam Railway
Ffestiniog Railway and
Welsh Highland Railway
In place of 2
nd
class accommodation, the
Railway provides 3
rd
class
Great Central Railway
Helston Railway
Isle of Wight Railway
Kent and East Sussex
Railway
Lakeside and
Haverthwaite Railway
Lappa Valley Railway
Llanberis Lake Railway
Lynton and Barnstaple
Railway
Mid-Hants Railway
(Watercress Line)
North Norfolk Railway
North Yorkshire Moors
Railway
Staff discounted (priv rate) tickets are 75%
discount off standard fares on ordinary
timetabled daily services (excluding pre-
bookable services including Pullman Dining
Trains and special events.) Only bookable on
the day of travel at an NYMR Booking Office
and subject to availability. Priv-rate ticket does
not include the annual pass offer.
Paignton & Dartmouth
Steam Railway
Plym Valley Railway
Staff discounted (priv rate) tickets are not
available on Christmas services
Ravenglass and Eskdale
Railway
Staff discounted (priv rate) tickets issued only
at Ravenglass Booking Office. Not available on
Bank Holidays and subject to availability.
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Railway company
Notes
Romney, Hythe and
Dymchurch Light Railway
Staff discounted (priv rate) tickets are only
issued if purchasing a RomneyRover and are not
available for use on special event days (see -
www.rhdr.org.uk)
Severn Valley Railway
Snowdon Mountain
Railway
Staff discounted (priv rate) tickets are issued for
return journeys only
South Devon Railway
Strathspey Railway
Swanage Railway
Staff discounted (priv rate) tickets are not valid
on special event days.
Talyllyn Railway
Vale of Rheidol Railway
Welsh Highland Railway
See Ffestiniog Railway
Welshpool and Llanfair
Light Railway
Staff discounted (priv rate) tickets are not
available on special event days, dining trains,
and other premium services.
Wensleydale Railway
West Somerset Railway
Shipping
P&O Ferries (Dover-Calais & Hull-Rotterdam)
Rail Staff Leisure Cards issued to employees, partners and child dependants
can be used for a discount for travel on any of the Dover-Calais, and Hull-
Rotterdam routes against the standard fares for any duration.
Travel on the Dover-Calais route as a Foot Passenger (without a vehicle) is
free except for the port taxes charged. Port taxes are payable in each
direction. Port Tax tickets for travel as a Foot Passenger are not available to
book on-line. For these call the P&O Ferries contact centre.
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Route
Adult port tax
Child (4-15 yrs) port tax
Dover Calais
£4.00
£4.00
Foot passengers can travel on one morning, one afternoon and one evening
sailing per day only in each direction. The schedule varies depending on the
time of year which is why 2 times are listed for most sailings.
7
Dover to Calais 09:15 or 09:55, 13:40 or 14:00, 17:25
Calais to Dover 10:35 or 11:10, 15:50 or 15:55, 18:50 or 19:20.
Present your Rail Staff Leisure Card at the port when you check-in for travel.
Failure to do so will result in being refused travel.
P&O Ferries booking details
Web www.poferries.com/ATOC (when prompted for your Membership
Number, enter the number of your current Rail Staff Leisure Card)
Email: RTS.supportgroup@poferries.com
Tel: 01304 448 888. Hours of operation daily 07.30 until 21.00 (22.00 from
Easter to September). Telephone bookings attract an additional charge of
approximately £5, unless paying Port Tax tickets only. Stena Line Irish
Services
Rail Staff Leisure Cards for employees, partners and dependant children can
be used on services operated by Stena Line on its services to the Republic
of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Travel as a foot passenger is free, but a Port Tax ticket (for all passengers
aged 4 or over) must be obtained in advance and presented at the
embarkation port.
Passengers should report at least 45 minutes prior to departure on all
routes except Belfast-Liverpool where check-in is at least 90 minutes prior
to departure.
7
Source RST Ref: 90-035-017/D8452INC
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The following routes tend to be exceptionally busy throughout the summer
months, Christmas, New Year, Easter, Halloween and Bank Holiday periods:
CairnryanBelfast
Fishguard – Rosslare
Holyhead – Dublin
LiverpoolBelfast
Reservations are compulsory on all sailings. All free and concessionary
travel holders must have the correct documentation before travelling.
Bookings cannot be made at the Port on the day of departure.
Space for concessionary travel is subject to availability. An alternative can
be requested if the first choice of sailing has no space left for concessionary
travel.
All Stena Line services are single class.
Vehicles
Fares are generally cheaper the earlier the booking is made. As such the
50% discount available to staff for conveyance of vehicles will be on the flexi
fare available at the time of booking.
Port Taxes
These are payable on Stena Line services in each direction for adults and
children (4-15 years).
Route
Adult
Child (4-15 yrs)
Fishguard Rosslare
£5.00
£3.00
Rosslare - Fishguard
€7.00
€4.00
Holyhead - Dublin
£5.00
£3.00
Dublin - Holyhead
€7.00
€4.00
Cairnryan - Belfast
£5.00
£3.00
Liverpool - Belfast
£15.00
£13.00
Belfast - Liverpool
£15.00
£13.00
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Environmental Charge
All passengers and vehicles are subject to the Environmental Charge
introduced as part of the global regulation on Sulphur emissions introduced
by the International Maritime Organisation.
The fees are currently payable for all single journeys as follows:
Vehicle
Adult
Child (4-15 yrs)
£3.00/€3.00
£2.00/€2.00
£1.00/€1.00
More details are available on the Stena Line website here:
www.stenaline.co.uk/faqs/book-quote-online/what-is-the-environmental-
charge
Other facilities
Cabins, Stena Plus and Meals can also be pre-booked at brochure prices.
Stena Line booking details
Telephone: 03432 081801 for port tax payments and vehicle discounted
fares.
Online: www.stenaline.co.uk for Cabins, Stena Plus and Meals.
Stena Line Harwich to Hook of Holland
The facilities for this are in the European (FIP) Arrangements section
towards the end of this document.
Irish Ferries
Irish Ferries operate services between Pembroke Dock and Rosslare, and
between Holyhead and Dublin.
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Rail Staff Leisure Card holders may purchase staff discounted (priv rate)
foot-passenger tickets.
The discount is available on the price of the foot-passenger ticket. Port tax
must be paid at the public rate. Tickets must be purchased from Irish Ferries
in advance of travel.
Irish Ferries booking details
Telephone 08717 300 400
Windermere Lake Cruises
Unlimited free travel is granted to all Rail Staff Leisure Card holders,
including partners and child dependants.
Before boarding, a Boarding Pass must be obtained by producing a valid Rail
Staff Leisure Card at the Company’s booking offices at Ambleside, Bowness
or Lakeside.
Luton Airport
Luton DART
Privilege rate tickets may be purchased to Luton Airport.
Until 3 March 2024 the ticket will be priced at the privilege rate for the
National Rail portion of the journey and the full public rate for the Luton
DART.
From 3 March 2024 the ticket to Luton Airport including the travel on Luton
DART will be at priv-rate.
There is no free travel on Luton DART for any rail staff holding any TOC
specific pass.
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Section 9: Travel in London
There is no eligibility for free or reduced rate travel on TfLs’ London
Underground, Dockland Light Railway, bus and river services.
National Rail Services in the Oyster area
You can use your Rail Staff Leisure Card to travel at staff discounted (priv
rate) either by purchasing a paper ticket or using an Oyster card. This is for
leisure journeys only and cannot be used for residential travel.
If you want to travel using staff discounted (priv rate) on an Oyster card,
take your Rail Staff Leisure Card to one of the Elizabeth Line stations listed
below within the times stated and ask an Elizabeth Line member of staff for
help. Your Oyster card must be registered before staff can set the
discount.
Station
Monday to
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Ilford
10am - 3pm
10am - 3pm
10am - 3pm
Romford
10am - 3pm
10am - 3pm
Ealing Broadway
10am - 3pm
10am - 3pm
10am - 3pm
West Ealing
10am - 3pm
10am - 3pm
Hayes and Harlington
10am - 3pm
10am - 3pm
10am - 3pm
Southall
10am - 3pm
10am - 3pm
West Drayton
10am - 3pm
10am - 3pm
Abbey Wood
10am - 3pm
10am - 3pm
10am - 3pm
Custom House
10am - 3pm
10am - 3pm
10am - 3pm
Woolwich
10am - 3pm
10am - 3pm
10am - 3pm
Canary Wharf
10am - 3pm
10am - 3pm
10am - 3pm
Paddington
10am - 3pm
10am - 3pm
10am - 3pm
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London Overground and the Elizabeth Lline are part of the national rail
network so priv rate tickets are valid on all of their services.
On services operated by Tramlink which is owned by TfL, showing a Rail Staff
Leisure Card allows free leisure travel.
There is no concessionary travel within London on other TfL services (i.e.
London Underground, Docklands Light Railway, London Buses, London
River Services etc.).
However, staff discounted (priv rate) tickets purchased with a Rail Staff
Leisure Card may used on TfL services for National Rail Cross London
journeys between London Terminals stations where the relevant Cross
London indication is shown on the National Rail travel ticket.
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Section 10: Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland
You cannot use your Rail Staff Leisure Card for free or discounted travel in
Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland.
The FIP Card can be used to purchase discounted tickets, and FIP coupons
can be used for free travel. See ‘Travel Tips in Europe’ for more
information.
If you are crossing the border travelling on the Enterprise service and using
FIP coupons and crossing the border then both NIR and CIE coupons are
needed.
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Section 11: Foreign Undertakings
European (FIP) Arrangements
After one year’s service, reduced rate or free rail travel is granted to TOC
employees, partners and child dependants on FIP carriers.
The International Reduced Rate Card (FIP Card) is for unlimited reduced
rate leisure travel (i.e. buying discounted tickets) and International
Coupons (FIP Coupons) are for limited free leisure travel.
FIP free and reduced rate travel facilities may only be used for leisure
purposes. They cannot be used for residential, commuting or duty travel.
Guidelines on travel in Europe can be found in the Travel Tips for Europe
guide on the RST website. www.raildeliverygroup.com/rst/where-can-i-
go.html
General
There are a number of open access and franchised carriers in countries
which were previously covered by a single national carrier. FIP facilities are
carrier specific and care must be taken by FIP facilities holders to ensure
that the carrier accepts the FIP facilities held.
The class of travel allowed by European carriers is the same as that granted
to an employee on National Rail.
On FIP carriers (except on Eurostar), it is usually possible to upgrade from
2
nd
Class to 1
st
Class where the difference in the public fare between 2
nd
and
1
st
class is paid for in advance. It is an offence for an employee holding 2
nd
class facilities to travel 1
st
class unless the difference in fare has been paid
prior to travel.
Business class is often not available to FIP 1
st
or 2
nd
class facilities holders.
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Restrictions imposed by FIP carriers from time to time are on the Where
Can I Go page of the RST website - www.raildeliverygroup.com/rst/where-
can-i-go.html
Supplements and seat reservations are payable on many express, long
distance or cross-border services, particularly ICE and TGV. Some carriers
do not permit supplements to be purchased on board the train, unless
departing from a station where the ticket office is not staffed.
Free Travel
Free travel is granted usually once a year on most FIP carriers to all
employees, spouse/partners and child dependants (see table below for
details). FIP International Free Coupons that are issued must be in the same
name as your passport and you must have this with you when traveling.
Coupons are valid for a maximum of 3 months from date of issue. To travel
before 31 March of the next year out of the current year’s quota, you must
apply at least 3 weeks before 31 December, and state your outward travel
date as 31 December.
Apply online on the International Coupon Application Form (XX09b for
employee travel only or XX09c for employees, partners and child
dependants) at - www.raildeliverygroup.com/rst/forms.html#international
You must apply a minimum of 3 weeks before your intended date of
travel.
Coupons are issued as a batch for the journey requested.
All FIP carriers listed below grant unlimited reduced rate leisure travel for
all FIP card holders. The table shows the number of coupons per calendar
year available for employees and dependants (in this context dependants
refers to both partners and dependant children).
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Carrier
Location
No. free per calendar
year for employees and:
BDZ - Balgarski darzhavni zheleznitsi
Bulgaria
1, and 1 for each dependant
BLS AG
Switzerland
1, and 1 for each dependant
BSB/VSU - Bodensee-Schiffsbetriebe
Austria,
Switzerland,
Germany
1 (employee only)
ČD - České dráhy
Czech Republic
1 (employee only)
CFL - Société nationale des chemins de
fer luxembourgeois
Luxembourg
1, and 1 for each dependant
CFR - Căile Ferate Române
Romania
1 (employee only)
ClÉ - Córas lompair Éireann
Republic of
Ireland
2, and 2 for each dependant
CP - Comboios de Portugal
Portugal
1 (employee only)
DB - Deutsche Bahn AG
Germany
1 (employee only)
DSB - Danske Statsbaner
Denmark
1 (employee only)
Euskotren EuskotrenTrena
Spain
1 (employee only)
FS - Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane
Italy
1, and 1 for each dependant
GYSEV - Győr-Sopron-Ebenfurti Vasút
8
Austria,
Hungary
1 (employee only)
HT Hellenic Train
Greece
1, and 1 for each dependant
- Hrvatske željeznice
Croatia
1 (employee only)
KD - Koleje Dolnośląskie
Poland
1 (employee only)
- Koleje Śląskie
Poland
1 (employee only)
KW - Koleje Wielkopolskie
Poland
1 (employee only)
ŁKA - Łódzka Kolej Aglomeracyjna
Poland
1 (employee only)
MAV - Magyar Államvasutak
Hungary
1 (employee only)
NIR - Northern Ireland Railways
Northern
Ireland
2, and 2 for each dependant
NS - Nederlandse Spoorwegen
Netherlands
2, and 2 for each dependant
ÖBB - Österreichische Bundesbahnen
Austria
1, and 1 for each dependant
PKP - Polskie Koleje Państwowe
Poland
1 (employee only)
RENFE - Red Nacional de los
Ferrocarriles Españoles
Spain
1 (employee only)
SBB-CFF - Schweizerische
Bundesbahnen
Switzerland
1 (employee only)
8
Also known as Raaberbahn.
Rail Staff Travel Guide for holders of the Rail Staff Leisure Card
90-011-032 D7430AA v26 February 2024 Rail Staff Travel
Page 47 of 48
Carrier
Location
No. free per calendar
year for employees and:
SNCB - Société nationale des chemins
de fer belges
Belgium
2, and 2 for each dependant
SNCF - Société nationale des chemins
de fer français
France
2, and 2 for each dependant
SP - Schweizer Privatbahnen
Switzerland
1 (employee only)
StL - Stena Line BV
9
North Sea
2, and 2 for each dependant
SV - Srbija Voz
Serbia
1 (employee only)
- Slovenske železnice
Slovenia
1 (employee only)
VR - VR-Group Ltd
Finland
1 (employee only)
Vy - Vygruppen
Norway
1 (employee only)
ŽPCG - Željeznički prevoz Crne Gore
Montenegro
1 (employee only)
ŽRS - Željeznice Republike Srpske
Bosnia-
Herzegovina
1 (employee only)
ŽRSM - - Železnici na Republika Severna
Makedonija
North
Macedonia
1 (employee only)
ŽSR - Železnice Slovenskej republiky
Slovakia
1 (employee only)
Reduced rate travel FIP Cards
International Reduced Rate (FIP) Cards are valid for two calendar years.
They are only valid for travel in conjunction with the Passport of the holder,
and must be presented to purchase discounted tickets, and also when
discounted tickets are inspected. The name on the passport must match
that on the International Reduced Rate Card.
9
Stena Line BV free travel for one return journey present an FIP coupon + Port Tax ticket
+ Environmental Charge. Reduced rate tickets available at ports only. Advance reservations
mandatory phone 01255 202352.
Rail Staff Travel Guide for holders of the Rail Staff Leisure Card
90-011-032 D7430AA v26 February 2024 Rail Staff Travel
Page 48 of 48
Booking reduced rate tickets or obtaining reservations for free travel
To obtain reduced rate tickets, seat, couchette, sleeper reservations and
supplements from the UK, you can contact, International Rail. Bookings can
be made as early as 6 months, or as late as 21 days, prior to travel.
W: www.bookmyrst.co.uk/
You can also make bookings for journeys involving any of the following:
When using International Coupons for free travel but additionally
requiring reservations or supplements, or using an FIP card for
discounted journeys
Eurostar* London to Lille/Paris/Brussels/Amsterdam
Lyria* TGV services between France and Switzerland
Thalys* services (operated by THI Factory) between
France/Belgium and the Netherlands and Germany
Thello* services between France and Italy
AVE** services within Spain
TALGO* services within Spain and between Spain and Portugal
RENFE services within Spain and services between Spain and
Portugal
DB/SNCF* services between Paris and cities in Germany
* FIP Leisure Fares include travel ticket and seating/overnight
accommodation. International Coupon Tickets are not valid.
** special FIP Leisure Fares which include travel ticket and reservation are
payable by holders of International Coupon tickets and International
Reduced Rate Cards.
When booking please have your International Reduced Rate Card and
debit/credit card details ready.