Travelcard?

Ok, I've had this thought floating round my head for a while so decided to bring it up. Has anyone ever thought about/worked on an industry travelcard of some sort? Actors travel so much it seems like it would be of mutual benefit and I'm sure I've seen other companies/groups with passes.

I guess something like this would have to go through a major body like Equity (so any reps who are reading this feedback would be great). Even if there was just a deal with certain travel companies that could get an Equity discount that would be a great help to all of us who use the transport system.

It would also go in with the general push to get people using public transport so maybe it could be linked to government schemes somewhere along the line…

Like I said, it's just an idea that's been floating around for a while so I thought I'd share.


  • 14 years ago
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I think this would be a brilliant idea. I know that there are corporate cards which some companies have for discounts on National Express and the bigger transport groups (don't think the underground is included) so it would be great if a corporate card like that was available to us or if Equity were able to get a discount card/code that members could use.


  • 14 years ago
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I think this a wonderful idea!I have a network card, which is a MUST, if you are an actor in the South East.It costs £20 a year, but only comes into effect off- peak, which is VERY frustrating.

I think you should propose this idea.A lot of actors, I hear, do not have a network card.An industry-related card would encourage savings for them.Some reductions on peak travel rates would be great...First Great Western...don't get me going..aaargh!


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Ok, I've been told that it's worth taking this to an Equity forum for further discussion, so watch this space!


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Nathan Head
Actor

I'm all for this idea! as you probably know from my other posts, i do rely on public transport a lot for work.
but, please please don't make it just a London thing again. Actors exist outside of London you know! lol


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Yes! I agree, I pay £16 for a travel card every time I come into London (not to mention the £10 on taxis each way to my station that is half an hour away from my house)and I think it's an absurd amount. Bring on the Actor discounts!


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Nathan Head
Actor

is this card idea possible tho?
we aren't just dreaming of a cheap-for-actors Utopian public transport system?


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Apparently there used to be a company that did this but it was before the railways were sold off. It has been brought up since with Equity but not taken much further than just being proposed. Guess we'll just have to try again!

It seems to me if we can get a Young Person's railcard or an OAP one we should be able to get an industry one. It would take some doing as it would have to be taken to each relevant company - and goodness knows there's a lot of them - but it's not impossible.


  • 14 years ago
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Excellent idea! I am sure it would have to come from Equity though?! They would have to strike up or negotiate a deal with the railways concerned?

I never thought about a network card sth east....duh? How much of a saving by having a network card is there to be had? I pay about £12 off peak for a travel card rtn journey to Victoria from Gatwick or Horley and of course it covers the UG as well....what would having a network card save me...does anyone know?


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Hugh Osborne
Actor

"It seems to me if we can get a Young Person's railcard or an OAP one we should be able to get an industry one."

Yes, but being a young person or an OAP is not a career choice; any journeys they choose to make are, effectively precisely that: choices; ie they don't NEED to travel for work purposes. Consequently, the railcards on offer are there primarily to tempt youngsters and pensioners to make journeys that they wouldn't do otherwise for reasons of cost.

(In Wales we actually have free public transport for OAPs, but that's a different story.)

By contrast, Actors need to travel because the nature of the industry: auditions, recalls, touring from venue to venue etc. And it's precisely because they need to travel that travel expenses are tax-deductible. And as they are tax deductible, the actor effectively IS getting subsidised transport, to the tune of between 20 and 40%: not a bad discount by anybody's standard.

One can sympathise with any travel company who wondered why, if actors are effectively getting subsidised transport in any case, it should voluntarily eat into its own profit margins (especially during a recession) in order to provide further subsidies.

Best wishes

Hx


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Nathan Head
Actor

you're probably right. why should they lose money when they are getting the full fares of everyone up to now?

besides, knowing my luck there would probably be exceptions to travel that i am outside of.

like at the moment, there is a special train ticket you can get in Manchester called "the plusbus ticket", that gives you free travel on buses for the day as well. but the stations i alight on (stalybridge and Ashton) don't do it . lol


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Jessica Jay
Actor, Singer, Talent

Mark, a network SE railcard gives you 1/3 off all fares (including travelcards) but can only be used after 10am Mondays to Fridays. Weekends and public holidays are fine all day. Easily worth the £20 a year if you travel regularly!

Valid for up to four people I think.


  • 14 years ago
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Yes, that's right 1/3.But it's the peak time that really bugs me.It's exorbitant,and geared to people with travel allowances/London weighting on their company salaries.

I think Equity should point out how we have to use transport a lot, but do not have recourse to those sort of things.In fact, a lot of us are living at a subsistence rate.

It's a common assumption that if you are an actor, you live in London.Lots of people have to move out because they cannot afford it, or need a break from the city.


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Criky....a 1/3rd off ....I'll be applying tomorrow! Thanks for that info.

Regarding Peak times....my agent knows to ask the CD if I can have an audition at a time which allows me to leave after peaktime travel rate. That being 9:30am....I always ask for castings NOT before 11am if poss. 99% of the time it's fine.


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charles delaney
Actor, Singer

Great Idea that needs to be motioned
by Equity. The card should include peak & off-peak tube travel in London.
We may get a tax subsidy already but the key is immediate cash flow!!


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Pole
I take it you won't be interected in a discount on the tram when you come up to Manchester for a casting at Media City???

Please don't forget about us ferret chasing, sheep sha**ing, yokel, biggoted scrounging, flat cap wearing, work shy, backward, incomprehensible residents behind the exclusion zone AKA the M25.

Sarah
xx


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Obviously I meant to say 'interested' and I wasn't thinking about anything else at the time!!

Sarah
xx


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Nathan Head
Actor

living in Manchester myself, i know i am very interected in discounted travel intercity (for auditions in london or birmingham etc)

and metro trams in and around greater manchester would be great! I've had to get to salford in the past for work, and it would benefit me a great deal


  • 14 years ago
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Just a thought. Some time back, needed to get to S.Africa where my wife was working. Flights horrendously expensive.
Told to get a Student Travel Card, easy peasy. Bingo, 2/3rds off ticket. Works on rail fare to I'm told, unless things have changed.


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Alan Brent
Actor

There was a motion to the Equity Annual Representative Conference from the Leeds and District General Branch 6 years ago. It asked Equity Council to investigate a way for members to get travel discounts on Rail Services. It was passed with a two thirds majority which makes it binding on council to do something about it. Since then there have been several councils and nothing has been done about it.
It just goes to show that at times unless there is a dire need for something in Lonodn Council can work miracles. Once an issue affects only the Provinces they can drag their heels like crazy AND get away with it because there are only very few Councillors from outside of London area.


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Nathan Head
Actor

I mean, i understand that there should be some sort of vetting thing in place. to stop people abusing the discount, maybe members should forward on confirmation of the work or audition to equity to prove they are using this discount for work and not leisure.


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