Rail fares can be a confusing business for the best of us, so undoubtedly there are questions which catch out even experienced clerks.
Most people have heard by now at least some of the tips and tricks on getting best value, from using only TOC websites when buying tickets online, to buying several tickets covering parts of a longer journey which can often be cheaper.
But the sheer amount of permutations involved in trying to work out the best-value option in absolutely any case is staggering. Very few passengers have the time or persistence to manage it, but it is a shame that so many ticket clerks and National Rail Inquiries officers do not take the time or have the knowledge to help in every case – at least according to Which? consumer research.
Are we expecting too much of them? Or should going the extra mile for every passenger just be part of the job?
