3e Travelling by Rail

Background And Overview Of The Rail Industry

Nationally and locally, the rail industry is undergoing great change. British Rail had the monopoly for the rail business until 1994, but between 1994 and 1997 it was split into 25 individual franchises, (Train Operating Companies or ‘TOC’s), to run for between 7 and 15 years, and Railtrack who were in charge of the track. In 2001 several of these franchises are in the process of being renewed. Since deregulation and the split into franchises, train operators are legally bound to work together to provide a service to the general public.

There is a complex relationship between the Train Operating Companies, the Government, transport operators and other organisations which comprise ‘the Rail Industry’ - over 100 companies are involved in total!

Major train companies currently operating through the Greater Manchester area are:

• First North Western – runs most local services
  
• Arriva Transpennine - Transpennine Express and Calder Valley services
  
• Virgin Trains – London, and other long distance trains
  
• Central Trains – some services to Liverpool and the Midlands
  
• Wales and West – services to South Wales and the West of England

First Contacts

To obtain an overview of trains operating within the Greater Manchester area contact the GMPTE Travel Plan Co-ordinator on 0161 242 6527.

Staff Travel

Where staff travel is concerned, it is not practical to alter a rail schedule to more closely suit the needs of employees, as train services run nationally and a schedule change in Manchester will probably affect the schedule elsewhere in the country.
A larger company can sometimes negotiate ticketing discounts for their employees.

Ticketing

There are many different types of ticket available for train users, and full information is supplied by National Rail Enquiries. Tickets which will be of particular interest to employees are:

• Season tickets

Season tickets are valid for travel between any two points in the Greater Manchester area. Season tickets are valid for seven consecutive days, one month or one year.

• Traincard

This is a rail season ticket valid on all rail services within the Greater Manchester area, for periods of a week, a month or a year. It can also be used for travel on Metrolink services within the City Zone only.

Weekly £18.50; Monthly £60.00; Annual £582.00
Prices at January 2002

• Countycard

System 1 County Bus and Train Saver is for use on all rail services and most buses within the Greater Manchester area. It is valid for seven consecutive days, one month or one year. Countycards can also be used for travel on Metrolink services within the City Zone only.

Prices at January 2002: Weekly £21.70; Monthly £68.50; Annual £685.00

Daysaver tickets

These are valid for travel after 0930 onwards and are useful for staff who work shifts or flexi-time. Daysaver tickets come in four forms:

1. Daysaver for rail and bus services within Greater Manchester and Metrolink services within the City Zone only. Price at January 2002: £3.50

2. Daysaver for rail and Metrolink services within Greater Manchester. Price at January 2002: £5.00

3. Daysaver for bus and Metrolink services within Greater Manchester. Price at February 2001: £4.50

4. Daysaver for rail, bus and Metrolink services within Greater Manchester. Price at February 2001: £6.50

Information, Promotion And Awareness – Useful Contact Numbers

• 08457 48 49 50 is a 24 hour telephone line for national rail enquiries
  
• Visit the National Rail website at www.nationalrail.co.uk
  
• 0161 228 7811 - For all local bus, train and Metrolink enquiries in Greater Manchester
  
• Visit the GMPTE Web Site at www.gmpte.com, which also has a local journey planner to help plan your journey
  
• Journey Railplanners can be purchased and installed on desk top computers

Timetables

Timetables are updated nationally twice a year. The winter timetable runs from September to May (8 months), and the summer timetable runs from May to September (4 months). The National Rail Timetable and National Rail website include all trains. Single operator timetables can be obtained from railway stations and Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive Travelshops.

Best Practice Example: Manchester Airport PLC, in partnership with First North Western trains has introduced 2 types of discounted train tickets for employees, which can be purchased from the Airport Rail Station.

• Carnet ticket for ad-hoc travel - booklets of 10 single tickets to be used within one calendar month
  
• Season ticket for daily travel – savings of 20% on monthly, 3 monthly and annual tickets on the Crewe line
  

Choosing Measures
Travel Plans and Walking
Travel Plans and Cycling
Travelling by Bus
Travelling by Rail
Powered Two-Wheelers
Using Taxis
Car Sharings
Car Clubs
The Place of Cars
Car Park Management Strategy
Managing Business Travel
Changing the Way We Work
Travel Plans and Cleaner Fuels
Travel Plans and Deliveries