Press release -
Discount Railcards get smart on Great Northern, Thameslink and Southern
Railcards giving discounts of between a third and 50% can now be used on Great Northern, Thameslink and Southern’s “keyGo” pay-as-you-go smartcard service.
The innovation completely removes the need to queue or book ahead for most paper or online tickets, which supports social distancing for passengers and station staff during coronavirus restrictions.
This industry-first expansion of smartcard technology on National Rail means passengers with Railcards can now simply tap in and out at railway stations, knowing their account will automatically be charged the best-value fare for all of that day’s journeys – with any Railcard discount included.
Tom Moran, Managing Director for Thameslink and Great Northern, said:
“KeyGo itself was an industry-first, giving passengers the convenience and simplicity of pay-as-you-go smartcard travel, and since its introduction we have been developing the technology to increase the routes it can be used on, the value it offers, and the number of passengers who can benefit.
“Coupling keyGo with discount Railcards is a game-changer, with so many more people now able to take advantage of tap-in, tap-out travel.
“It’s something our passengers have been asking for, especially since the 26-30 Railcard became available, and will save people time queuing for tickets, also aiding social distancing.”
Covid-19 restrictions on social distancing have increased customer demand for smart ticketing, which minimises contact and time spent at the station, and can offer better-value fares for less-frequent travel. KeyGo allows flexibility and convenience over a traditional season ticket where customers don’t need to buy a ticket in advance and are only charged when they travel.
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Notes to editors
KeyGo
keyGo is a pay-as-you-go system that can be set up on passengers’ Key Smartcards, by registering a payment card to their online smartcard account, and it works on Gatwick Express, Great Northern, Southern and Thameslink services.
Key Smartcard holders can now also enter their Railcard details onto their online keyGo account. Once the details have been verified (within 5 days), the discount will be applied as appropriate.
Journeys made using keyGo will be assessed at the end of each day. If the journey meets the conditions for a Railcard discount, the fare will be automatically discounted. Customers can check their journey history online to verify when their Railcard discount has been applied.
The following Railcard types can be applied to keyGo:
- 16-17 Saver
- 16-25 Railcard
- 26-30 Railcard
- Senior Railcard
- HM Forces Railcard
- Annual Gold Card
- Disabled Person’s Railcard (Adult and Child)
- Network Railcard
- Job Centre Plus Travel discount card.
Group Railcards cannot be added as we cannot verify that the customers travelled together; keyGo cannot be used on TfL or other train company’s services.
Disabled Persons Railcard discount is only applicable to the Railcard holder. An accompanying passenger is required to purchase a separate ticket covering the same journey as that of the card holder.
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Govia Thameslink Railway
Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) operates Thameslink, Great Northern, Southern and Gatwick Express services as follows:
- Thameslink – cross-London services between Bedford/Peterborough/Cambridge and Brighton/Horsham/Littlehampton/East Grinstead, and between Luton/St Albans and Sutton/Wimbledon/Rainham; plus services between London and Sevenoaks
- Great Northern – services between London and Welwyn, Hertford, Peterborough, Cambridge and King’s Lynn
- Southern – services between London and the Sussex coast (Brighton, Worthing, Eastbourne, Bognor Regis, Hastings) and parts of Surrey, Kent and Hampshire (Ashford International, Southampton, Portsmouth)
- Gatwick Express – fast, non-stop direct services between Gatwick Airport and London Victoria
www.southernrailway.com, www.thameslinkrailway.com, www.gatwickexpress.com, www.greatnorthernrail.com
