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.
Not sure Equity would fancy hiring a call centre's worth of staff just to validate the travel expenses of every actor in the country.
And I'm not sure every Equity member would fancy seeing their subs go up to pay for it...
....I'm reminded of this 'exclusion zone' as you put it Sarah by my long term partner.
She was born & bred in Stockport,Greater Manchester.
Naturally we should lobby for a nationwide travel card although these things tend to be delt with regionally.
It wouldn't work having a centralised office dealing with all the countries
needs & wants despite Tony Blairs efforts in the past!
It's not completely beyond the realms of possibility, but whether it could be come nationwide would be another question. at one point I was a member of an organisation which involved driving some thousands of mile a year to gigs. they arranged with one of the roadside motorists assistance firms a discounted membership scheme, and 15% off new windscreens and tyres. They were, however, just one player in a competitive market. Quite how one would persuade tiddly-unpty-thing separate rail companies of its attractiveness, I can't for the moment think.
I live in the heart of Kent so I travel with South eastern trains and I work in London so I'm always traveling with my young person railcard discount coz as u can see I'm a young handsome person ha ha ha ha and Its a bit cheap considering where I'm traveling from off peak but for those living in London your all lucky because its supercheap.
Reuben Liburd
Not often you see the words 'living in London' and 'supercheap' in the same sentence...
Come to think of it, it's not often you see the word 'supercheap' (unless you feed your canary kryptonite, of course).
But I still think the travelcard idea would be a hard sell.
Rail companies need: a) as many as people as possible to travel during peak times to enable them to offer a range of off-peak fares (that's why commuters effectively subsidise the rail travel of everyone else); and b) to entice people to use the railways who otherwise wouldn't.
Therefore, the argument that actors from all over the country NEED to use the railway system during PEAK hours, is simply to provide the railway companies with two excellent reasons NOT to provide a travelcard...
Hugh xx
this subject has been on my mind also. How many actors a day going for auditions and using public transport, especially when theres no pay involved. It can cost a fortune if you have about 3 auditions in one week. Nearly £10 off peak from epsom. Equity is first port of call to fight for special cards for actors travel. gilda waugh
You must login as a candidate to participate in the forum.
Please note: Messages written in the forum do not represent the views of The Mandy Network, nor have they been vetted by The Mandy Network staff.
If you read something which you believe to be offensive or defamatory, please contact us and we will take the appropriate action.
