Rail Staff Travel

• Section 1: Introduction

  1. The use of the words "we", "our", "us" and "RSTL" in these Conditions of Issue and Use refers in each case to Rail Staff Travel Limited (part of the Rail Delivery Group), and the use of "you", "your" and "primary cardholder" refers in each case to the Employee, retired Employee and/or Widow(er) that is eligible for rail staff travel facilities. The use of the word ‘dependents’ refers to eligible family members who are the spouse/partner and children of the Employee/Primary Cardholder.
     
     
  2. Users of RST Online (www.railstafftravel.com) are subject to these Conditions of Issue and Use for tickets purchased online.
     
     
  3. Rail staff travel facilities are governed by the Facility Rules, the TOC Privilege Travel Arrangement, rules relating to the issue of TOC and Group Specific cards/passes and the FIP Regulations, depending on the card/pass issued.
     
     
  4. The use of the words "rail staff travel facilities" and "rail staff travel facility" refers in each case to any card, pass, coupon, ticket, season ticket authorisation, letter or other document that provides free or reduced rate travel for the primary cardholder and their eligible family members.
     
     
  5. A summary of facilities available to employees who either hold a Staff Travel Card, a Rail Staff Leisure Card or a RST Online Leisure Card is available 
     
     
  6. The FIP regulations are available in summary form in the Travel Tips for Europe document
     
     Not all employees are eligible for free or discounted travel in Europe.
     
     
  7. All travel using rail staff travel facilities is additionally subject at all times to the National Rail Conditions of Travel
     
     
  8. All travel using rail staff travel facilities is additionally subject to the Staff Travel Restrictions in Great Britain.
     
     
  9. All travel using any TfL services, including the Elizabeth Line and London Overground is additionally subject at all times to the TfL conditions of Carriage.
     
     
  10. All rail staff travel facilities issued remain the property of RSTL. Once the primary cardholder or a family member is no longer eligible for them, the Primary cardholder must either return them to RSTL at their own expense by signed for delivery or cut them into four so they cannot be used and send a photo of them to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The primary cardholder should take a separate photo of each card/pass with the number clearly visible. For clarity once a cardholder is no longer eligible, they cannot use any card/pass until the expiry date- it must be returned.
      
      
  11. By applying for and using any rail staff travel facilities, the Primary cardholder and all family members in receipt of cards/passes agree to these Conditions of Issue and Use. If they do not, they should return all cards/passes to RSTL for cancellation.
      
      
  12. By applying for any rail staff travel facilities for family members, the primary cardholder agrees to make them aware of these Conditions of Issue and Use.
      
      
  13. By applying for any rail staff travel facilities for family members the primary cardholder confirms they meet the eligibility criteria as outlined in Eligibility of Family Members. If they are in any doubt they should check with RSTL before applying.
      
      
  14. Applying for and using rail staff travel facilities authorises RSTL to use the Primary Cardholder’s personal information and that of their family (if they have rail staff travel facilities) for the purposes of providing rail staff travel facilities and the prevention and detection of fraud. This means that where suspected fraudulent travel is identified, RSTL will contact the employer of active employees, whether it involves the employee or their family member.  If the Primary cardholder or any family members no longer want RSTL to process their data, they should contact us.
      See our full privacy notice.
      
      
  15. RSTL reserve the right to amend these Conditions of Issue and Use at any time and the most up to date version will be available on the website with the date they were amended.

• Section 2: General Information that covers all Rail Staff Travel Facilities

  1. Use of any rail staff travel facilities is deemed acceptance of these Conditions of Issue and Use.
     
     
  2. The issue of rail staff travel facilities to an eligible family member is solely at the discretion of the primary cardholder.
     
     
  3. Eligible family members only receive Rail Staff Travel facilities through the record of an employee (primary cardholder). Correspondence with Rail Staff Travel regarding these facilities is only through the primary cardholder. Rail Staff Travel is generally unable to respond to queries from family members. The exceptions to this are on the death of a primary cardholder, or where a someone holds a Power of Attorney for the primary cardholder.
     
     
  4. All active and expired Rail Staff Travel facilities issued to an employee and their family members remain the property of Rail Staff Travel and on request must be returned at the employees’ own expense to Rail Staff Travel.
     
     
  5. All rail staff travel facilities are issued for the sole and exclusive use of the holder named on the card/pass. They are not transferable under any circumstances. The holder must not sell (or attempt to sell), copy, transfer, lend or offer the card, pass, coupon or ticket to any other person. Any attempt to do so will be deemed a Travel Irregularity.
     
     
  6. Where a priv rate ticket has been purchased, it can only be used if the accompanying Staff Travel Card, Rail Staff Leisure Card or RST Online Leisure Card is physically present. The holder must not sell (or attempt to sell), copy, transfer, lend or offer the ticket to any other person. Any attempt to do so will be deemed a Travel Irregularity.
     
     
  7. Rail staff travel facilities (e.g. cards, passes, tickets or coupons) must be shown on request, together with any Photo Identity Card or other supporting documents where these are required.  Barcode tickets can be presented on a mobile device, but the accompanying Staff Travel Card, Rail Staff Leisure Card or RST Online Leisure Card must be physically present – electronic images are not accepted. They must be shown and/or handed over upon request to a member of staff, or agents, of any carrier on whose service a journey is undertaken. Valid rail staff travel facilities must be held throughout the entire journey, and they should be kept available for inspection at all times.
     
     
  8. Employees and dependents who are issued with a Rail Staff Leisure card, RST Online Leisure card or TOC specific smart card for travel that includes their photo do not need separate photo ID. From March 2026 Staff Travel Cards issued to active employees and family members will have a photo on them so no other ID will be required. Until then, active employees and their eligible family members aged 16 or over must have a Photo Identity Card, when using their Staff Travel Card. Rail Photo Identity Cards can be requested from Rail Staff Travel.
     
     
  9. Generally retired employees and their eligible family members do not need a Photo Identity Card unless one is needed to accompany a TOC or group specific card.
     
     
  10. All cards/passes issued for leisure use (and staff discounted priv rate tickets) can be used to travel to and from places of voluntary work as long as there is no payment or travel expenses provided. Where any payment is provided, rail staff travel facilities cannot be used. For clarity, travel to training courses, work placements, jury service and the like are not permitted. If onboard or revenue staff believe a card/pass/ticket is being used for a non-leisure journey they will report this to RSTL for further investigation.
      
      
  11. Journeys to job interviews are also classed as a leisure journey as long as the cardholder is not then travelling on to a place of work.
      
      
  12. All rail staff travel facilities can only be used in the class of travel for which they are issued. However, those with First Class travel can buy tickets for travel in First or standard class. Check the Where Can I Go guide for more information
      raildeliverygroup.com/rst/where-can-i-go.html
      
      
  13. When travelling using your staff travel facilities, priority should be given to fare-paying passengers. Whenever possible, cardholders should travel on lightly-loaded trains. If a train is crowded it is expected that when boarding a train all staff travel facilities holders should stand back to allow fare-paying passengers to obtain seats first.
      
      
  14. Active Staff and dependents must vacate seats on request where fare paying passengers are standing. Retired Staff and dependents may be asked to vacate their seat but they do not have to.
      
      
  15. Any unauthorised use of rail staff travel facilities will be classed as a Travel Irregularity and may result in the withdrawal of rail staff travel facilities, dismissal, and/or legal proceedings against the employee, widow(er) and/or a family member.
      
      
  16. The primary cardholder must report the loss of any card/pass as soon as possible to RSTL, even if they are not going to order a replacement.
      
      
  17. Employees (including retired employees) are only allowed to have one instance of rail staff travel facilities. For example, if an employee and their spouse/ partner are both employees of the railway they cannot have two instances of leisure facilities. This means that if they receive a card/pass for free or staff discounted (priv-rate) as an employee and one as a spouse/partner then they must return one of them. Likewise, children can only have one set of national and TOC/Group specific facilities.
      
      
  18. If RSTL becomes aware that a cardholder has more than one instance of national leisure travel, then RSTL will contact the cardholder to resolve this.
      
      
  19. Additionally, if a Safeguarded employee has rail staff travel facilities as a retired employee and then re-joins the industry, they cannot have leisure travel as both an active and a retired employee.
      
      
  20. Likewise, if an employee is getting national leisure travel through two employees, once RSTL become aware of this, the employee will need to choose which facilities they want to retain. Rail Staff Travel will advise the employee of the best option. This also applies to children who have more than one rail staff travel record – they can only get national leisure travel through one record.

• Section 3 Types of travel

  1. This section gives a definition of leisure, residential and duty travel.
     
     
  2. Residential travel is the journey that is for the purpose of travelling from home to your place of work and back again. For clarity this only covers travel to work by the employer through which you receive your rail staff travel. If you have other paid employment no rail staff travel card, pass or ticket can be used to travel to/from that place of work. For child dependents is the journey that is for the purpose of travelling from home to their place of education and back again.
     
     
  3. Any additional activity (i.e. gym, shopping, socialising) before or after work or place of education does not change this from residential travel to leisure travel.
     
     
  4. To undertake residential travel, you must be in possession of a residential travel facility, either a TOC specific staff travel pass which includes residential travel, a residential pass issued by RSTL, an All Lines Pass issued by RSTL and endorsed for residential travel, or a reduced rate season ticket.
     
     
  5. Duty travel is a journey made during the working day while the employee is at work. This may be from a booking on depot to collect a train or may be to attend meetings at another site. For clarity this only covers travel during the working day for the employer through which you receive your rail staff travel.
     
     
  6. To undertake duty travel at work, you must be in possession of a duty travel facility, either a TOC specific staff travel pass which includes duty travel, or an All Lines Pass endorsed for Duty Travel, or a Duty Travel pass issued by RSTL. In addition you need the supporting documentation to prove your journey is on your roster.
     
     
  7. Leisure travel is defined as journeys made for fun or activities where there is no income accrued. If the main reason for travelling on a day is to travel to/from work, then the travel cannot be considered as leisure travel. For clarity, if the main purpose of your travel is to go from home to work and back again, but before or after work you spend time socialising or shopping, the travel between your work location and home location is not considered as leisure travel.
     
     
  8. To undertake leisure travel, you must be in possession of a staff discounted (priv rate) ticket with a supporting Staff Travel Card, Rail Staff Leisure Card or RST Online Leisure Card, or a TOC specific staff travel pass which is valid for leisure travel, or a Staff Travel Card issued by RSTL with a dated box for free travel or a Status Pass or All Lines Pass endorsed for leisure travel.
     
     
  9. If you travel to or from some unpaid voluntary work (such as Jury Service) where travel expenses are paid by the organisers, then you cannot use any rail staff travel facilities. You should purchase tickets at the public rate and claim this back on expenses from the organisers.

• Section 4: Educational purposes

  1. Priv rate Season Tickets, Gold and Silver Status Passes issued to children and some TOC specific cards/passes can be used for educational purposes.
     
     
  2. Educational purposes are defined as travelling to an education establishment as part of a full-time educational course.
     
     
  3. Study as part of an apprenticeship is not considered as educational purposes so any dependents who are studying for an apprenticeship (and earn under the weekly threshold) cannot use a Priv rate Season ticket, TOC specific card/pass or any staff discounted (priv rate) tickets for travel as part of their apprenticeship.
     
     
  4. Spouses/partners cannot use their rail staff travel facilities if they are travelling to training courses as part of their job.

• Section 5- Obligations of the primary cardholder

  1. The Primary cardholder (usually the employee, retired employee or widow(er)) must notify us of any change in details, including change of address or email address promptly. If they do not, and cards/passes are sent to an old address they may need to pay for replacements to be sent to them.
     
     
  2. The primary cardholder is responsible for ensuring that eligible family members are aware of these conditions of issue and use, especially for children aged under 16.
     
     
  3. The primary cardholder must ensure that they and family members have read the Rail Staff Travel Restrictions. These are published on the RSTL website and updated at least twice per year. During periods of travel disruption updates may be more frequent.
     raildeliverygroup.com/rst/where-can-i-go.html#Restrictions
     
     
  4. The primary cardholder must inform RSTL as soon as a family member is no longer eligible for rail staff travel facilities, and they should not allow any cards/passes to continue to be used. This includes a spouse/partner they are no longer living with (unless they get their travel as a non-cohabiting partner) or a child who leaves home (other than for education) or starts full time employment. They should not wait for the cards/passes to expire but must submit a Dependent Card Not Required XX24 form at raildeliverygroup.com/rst/forms.html#details and either:
     
     
     • return cards to RSTL by signed for delivery or
     • email a photo of them cut into four pieces to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
       
       Allowing family members who are not eligible to retain rail staff travel facilities is deemed a travel irregularity. Where this happens, the primary cardholder and all family members could lose their rail staff travel facilities permanently.
  5. The primary cardholder must ensure that any family members are aware of the data that they are providing to RSTL about them. They should contact us immediately if they no longer want their data to be processed by RSTL.
     
     
  6. The primary cardholder must provide RSTL with the necessary supporting documentation to confirm eligibility (including ongoing eligibility) for each family member as required. RSTL will not issue rail staff travel facilities until this is provided.
     
     
  7. The primary cardholder must check that any card/pass issued have been issued for the correct person and that the personal information (e.g. name and date of birth) are correct.
     
     
  8. The primary cardholder must let RSTL know if they believe they have been issued rail staff travel facilities in error. This includes if they are receiving full rail staff travel facilities as an employee and additionally as a spouse/partner of an employee.
     
     
  9. The primary cardholder must report any loss or theft of cards/passes immediately to RSTL even if they are not going to request a replacement. If the primary cardholder or family members card/pass is lost or stolen and they do not let RSTL know, then they are liable for any misuse that occurs. It is therefore very important that the primary cardholder contacts RSTL as soon as they realise a card/pass is lost or stolen.
     
     
  10. Revenue staff must be able to recognise the holder by the photo on the card. If the primary cardholder or a family members’ appearance changes  significantly and they can no longer be recognised the primary cardholder must contact RSTL and request a new card with a new photo. A replacement fee will be charged.
      
      
  11. The primary cardholder must ensure that cards/passes issued to them and family members are not laminated or otherwise altered.
      
      
  12. If the primary cardholder leaves their employment, they must ensure that all cards and passes issued to them and their family members are returned. Failure to so this will cause delays in RSTL issuing new cards/passes if they rejoin the railway.
      
      

• Section 6- Obligations of family members (spouses, partners, non-cohabiting partners and children)

  1. All those issued with cards/passes must ensure that they use them in compliance with these conditions of issue and use. This is because any misuse can lead to a Travel Irregularity which may impact on the Primary Cardholder.
     
     
  2. Cards/passes issued to spouses/partners/non-cohabiting partners and any staff discounted (priv rate) tickets purchased, can only be used for leisure travel - they cannot be used to travel to work.
     
     
  3. Cards/passes issued to children and any staff discounted (priv rate) tickets purchased can be used for leisure travel. In some instances, residential travel (travel from home to school/college) is allowed with a TOC specific card/pass. You should check the card/pass before using it. However, staff discounted (priv rate) tickets cannot be used for travel to/from a place of education. If a child is in education the employee can apply for a staff discounted (priv rate) season ticket for them. The employee can purchase priv-rate tickets for themselves if accompanying the child to school.
     
     
  4. Any cards issued to spouses, partners, non-cohabiting partners or children should be returned to the employee including those of any children no longer eligible in the event of separation or divorce.
     
     
  5. Upon the death of a primary card holder, we ask that the partner/spouse/non co-habiting partner or adult child makes us aware of this.

• Section 7: Lost, Stolen, Damaged/Defaced cards/passes or those not received in the post

  1. The primary cardholder must report the loss, theft, or damage to any cards/passes immediately to RSTL even if they are not going to request a replacement.
     
     
  2. The primary cardholder must always complete the relevant form, even if they contact RSTL by phone or email to report the loss.
     
     
  3. If cards/passes are lost, defaced or damaged a replacement fee is payable. It is a charge for each card that needs to be replaced. The primary cardholder must submit the XX35 form and then make payment via their RST Online account or by cheque/postal order made payable to Rail Staff Travel Limited. Once the form is submitted and payment has been made refunds cannot be made
     
     
  4. If the primary cardholder or family members find a card or pass that they have previously reported as lost and received a replacement for, it cannot it used. They should notify RSTL and return the card/pass. Any use of a card/pass previously reported as lost will be treated as a Travel Irregularity.
     
     
  5. If cards/passes are stolen the replacements will be issued free of charge once the Replacement Form XX34 is received and proof of theft from an appropriate police force is also provided.
     
     
  6. If the primary cardholder or any family members card/pass is lost or stolen and they do not let RSTL know, then they are liable for any misuse that occurs from the date of loss/theft until it is reported to RSTL. It is therefore very important that the primary cardholder contacts RSTL as soon as they realise any cards/passes are lost/stolen.
     
     
  7. Prior to any renewal of cards/passes, RSTL will email the primary cardholder (if we hold an email address for them) to confirm the address is still correct. Once cards/passes are posted, RSTL will confirm this by email if there is an email address on the record. If any cards or passes sent as part of a renewal are not received, the primary cardholder needs to let RSTL know as soon as possible. If the primary cardholder lets RSTL know within one month of the expiry date of the card/pass that is being replaced, RSTL will replace it free of charge. The primary cardholder must complete the Renewal Post Loss form (xx47)  to advise us of non-receipt. If the primary cardholder does not do this within one month, then they will need to pay for replacements to be issued.
     
     
  8. If RSTL send the primary cardholder any cards/passes outside of a renewal and they do not receive them in the post, they need to let RSTL know within one month of the date they were sent. If they do not, then they will need to pay for replacements to be issued.
     
     
  9. If the primary cardholder or any family members current card/pass has been damaged, defaced, spoiled (i.e. water damage) or altered in any way they must let RSTL know. RSTL will usually issue a replacement if they submit Replacement Form XX34, with an image of the card/pass and pay the replacement fee. Only then can a replacement be issued.
     
     
  10. RSTL may request the primary cardholder pay for delivery of cards, passes, or coupons by registered post where there has been more than one occurrence of loss of cards/passes/coupons in the post, or the primary cardholder has identified that there are problems with the safe delivery of post at their address. If payment is refused, then RSTL will not send any cards/passes/coupons.
      
      
  11. Where a rail staff travel facility allows instances of free travel:
      
      
      • any replacements issued due to the card being lost or stolen will not have the original number of boxes. The number of boxes will be reduced on a pro-rata basis.
        
        
      • any replacements issued due to the card being damaged or defaced (and the card/pass is returned to RSTL and the number of unused boxes can be determined), then the replacement will be issued with the same remaining boxes as the damaged or defaced card.
        
        
      • If it is an International Coupon, then under the FIP Regulations replacements are generally not permitted. Please contact RSTL for more information.
        
        
  12. RSTL are not liable for any forms, letters, emails or any cards, passes, coupons or tickets that are lost, damaged or delayed or any emails that are not received by the primary cardholder or RSTL. This includes any delay in cards, passes, coupons, tickets, forms or letters being received in the post.
      
      
  13. RSTL is not liable for any fares paid while waiting for forms to be processed or cards/passes to be issued or received.
      
      
  14. RSTL may refuse to issue a rail staff travel facility at its discretion. Usually this will be in cases where there is suspected or actual fraud, a Travel Irregularity, or where there is an ongoing query about eligibility.

   

• Section 8: Staff Travel Card

  This section defines the key conditions of issue and use that are specific to the Staff Travel Card.

  1. A Staff Travel Card can only be used for leisure travel. It must not be used for:

  • • residential travel (i.e. home to work),
    • educational travel (i.e. home to school/college),
    • duty (travel during the working day to meetings/other work locations) or business travel
    • trading or other remunerative purposes.

  It can however be used by students who live away from home for education to buy staff discounted (priv) rate tickets to travel from their term time residence to their family home.

  It can also be used for voluntary work- see section 2.10.

  2. The Staff Travel Card has the specific endorsement code and wording printed on the front. The endorsements are as follows:

  Code	Endorsement wording
  1	Not Valid on Wightlink, Tyne & Wear Metro and CalMac ships
  2	Not Valid on Tyne & Wear Metro and CalMac ships
  3	Not Valid on CalMac ships
  5	Valid on National Rail and London Underground only. Not Eurostar
  6	Not Valid on Eurostar services
  8	Valid for 1st Class priv tickets between former G.W.R. stations
  11	Valid on National Rail only. Not Eurostar
  NIL	No endorsements apply

  3. To obtain free leisure travel, the boxes printed on the Staff Travel Card must be used as follows:

  • • Before commencing a free journey, the date (day and month) of the journey must be entered using a pen in the first available box on the card (marked as “DAY” and “MTH”). The date must be entered using Arabic numerals, with zero in front of single digits, e.g. 07/08 for 7th August. The date must be completed using a pen; completing a box in pencil or erasable ink is prohibited. Even if staff allow a cardholder through a gate-line without dating a box it is the cardholder’s responsibility to do so before starting their journey.
    • Each dated box allows free travel from the time that the box was dated on the first day until midnight on the following day. For example, a box dated 07/08 allows journeys from the time that the box was completed on 7 August until 24.00hrs on 8 August.
    • In addition to this, free travel is permitted on overnight journeys starting between 22.00 and 24.00 on the previous day to the date entered on the card. These exceptional circumstances apply only to sleeper services and where the journey finishes after 04.30 the next day.
    • During the period of free travel, the travel does not have to be continuous: any number of journeys may be undertaken.
    • Alterations to the date entered are not permitted under any circumstances and dates must also not be overwritten. If a cardholder makes a mistake, that allocation of free travel is forfeited. The box with the error must be crossed out, and the correct date entered in the next box.
    • If a Staff Travel Card is used without a box being dated or with the wrong date entered, Revenue Protection Staff may cancel the next available box and require the holder to date and use the following box. Revenue Protection Staff may also treat it as a Travel Irregularity.
    • Any instances of travelling without dating a box, or where it appears the date has been overwritten will be classed as a Travel Irregularity.
    • Boxes must be dated in chronological order and not doing so can be considered a travel irregularity.

  4. Revenue Protection Staff may at any time retain possession of a Staff Travel Card if it has been, or they suspect that it has been, used fraudulently including if there have been alterations to boxes. Your personal information will be used to support our investigations during this process and will not impact your data privacy rights and freedoms.
  

  5 .The Staff Travel Card is valid for use from 1 April to the expiry date printed on the front of the card. All eligibility for free and privilege rate travel ceases at midnight on the expiry date. For the avoidance of doubt, the Staff Travel Card cannot be used for travel on the day after the expiry date even if a box has been dated on the expiry date, e.g. a Staff Travel Card expiring on 30th June and with a box dated 30/06 may only be used for travel on 30th June and not on 1st July.

  6 .Where the ticket office is open, cardholders must purchase staff discounted (priv rate) tickets prior to travel, even if there is a queue at the Ticket Office. If they do not, then any travel will be considered a travel irregularity.

  7. Where the ticket office is closed, but the cardholder is travelling in a penalty fare area, then they must obtain a permit to travel before starting their journey. If they do not, then any travel will be considered a travel irregularity.

  8. If there is no open ticket office or staff available to sell staff discounted (priv) rate tickets, and the cardholder is not travelling in a penalty fare area, then they must purchase tickets at the first available opportunity on board (or at an interim or destination station). The cardholder must actively offer to pay for their travel at the first available opportunity.

  9. If the cardholder is unable to physically present their Staff Travel Card (electronic images are not accepted) when travelling with a staff discounted (priv rate) ticket, then this will be considered a travel irregularity.

  10. If the cardholder is not in possession of their Staff Travel Card at the time of purchasing a ticket, and buy a ticket at the full public rate, they are not eligible for any refund of that ticket on presentation of their Staff Travel Card at a later date.

  11. In exceptional circumstances, the Staff Travel Card may be used to purchase priv rate tickets for travel between a temporary place of residence and place of employment for a period not exceeding 14 days. Any use for residential travel outside of this will be considered a travel irregularity.

   

• Section 9: Rail Staff Leisure Card

  This section defines the key conditions of issue and use that are specific to the Rail Staff Leisure Card.

  1. The Rail Staff Leisure Card is issued under the TOC Privilege Travel Arrangement, which is subject to annual rolling review by the participating TOCs.
     
     
  2. A Rail Staff Leisure Card can only be used for leisure travel. It must not be used to buy tickets for

  • • residential travel (i.e. home to work),
    • educational travel (i.e. home to school/college),
    • duty (travel during the working day to meetings/other work locations) or business travel
    • trading or other remunerative purposes.

  It can however be used by students who live away from home for education to buy staff discounted (priv) rate tickets to travel from their term time residence to their family home.

  It can also be used for voluntary work- see section 2.10.

  3. It is not valid for any free travel.
     
     
  4. Where the ticket office is open, the cardholder must purchase staff discounted (priv rate) tickets prior to travel, even if there is a queue at the ticket office. If they do not, then any travel will be considered a travel irregularity.
     
     
  5. Where the ticket office is closed, but the cardholder is travelling in a penalty fare area, then they must obtain a permit to travel at the public rate before starting a journey. If they do not, then any travel will be considered a travel irregularity.
     
     
  6. If there is no open ticket office or staff available to sell staff discounted (priv) rate tickets, and the cardholder is not travelling in a penalty fare area, then they must purchase tickets at the first available opportunity on board (or at an interim or destination station). They must actively offer to pay for their travel at the first available opportunity.
     
     
  7. If the cardholder is unable to physically present their Rail Staff Leisure Card (electronic images are not accepted) when travelling with a staff discounted (priv) rate ticket, then this will be considered a travel irregularity.
     
     
  8. The cardholder should present their priv rate ticket for inspection, and e-tickets must be presented for scanning by on-board staff when requested.
     
     
  9. If the cardholder is not in physical possession of their Rail Staff Leisure Card at the time of purchasing a ticket, and buys a ticket at the public rate, they are not eligible for any refund of that ticket on presentation of their Rail Staff Leisure Card at a later date.
     
     
  10. In exceptional circumstances, it may be used to purchase privilege rate tickets for travel between a temporary place of residence and place of employment for a period not exceeding 14 days. Any use for residential travel outside of this will be considered a travel irregularity.
      
      
  11. Revenue Protection Staff may at any time retain possession of a Rail Staff Leisure Card if it has been, or they suspect that it has been, used fraudulently. Your personal information will be used to support our investigations during this process and will not impact your data privacy rights and freedoms.

   

• Section 10: RST Online Leisure Card

  1. The RST Online Leisure Card can only be used for leisure travel. It must not be used to buy tickets for

  • • residential travel (i.e. home to work),
    • educational travel (i.e. home to school/college),
    • duty (travel during the working day to meetings/other work locations) or business travel
    • trading or other remunerative purposes.

  It can however be used by students who live away from home for education to buy staff discounted (priv) rate tickets to travel from their term time residence to their family home.

  It can also be used for voluntary work- see section 2.10.

  2. It is not valid for any free travel.
     
     
  3. It can only be used to purchase staff discounted (priv rate) tickets via RST Online, with the exception of leisure railways, where staff discounted (priv rate) tickets can be purchased at the leisure railway ticket office.
     
     
  4. It is only valid on the services of train companies that have agreed to accept the RST Online Leisure card.
     
     
  5. It is therefore not valid on:

  • • Caledonian Sleeper
    • Elizabeth Line
    • Grand Central
    • Hull Trains
    • London Overground

  6. The guide for holders of RST Online Leisure Cards has more information about the use of the card and is available at raildeliverygroup.com/rst/where-can-i-go.html 

  7. RST Online sells tickets for all train services, so the cardholder must ensure that the ticket they are purchasing is not for use on the services of operators listed in 10.4.
     
     
  8. If the cardholder is unable to physically present their RST Online Leisure Card (electronic images are not accepted) when travelling with a staff discounted (priv rate) ticket, then this will be considered a travel irregularity.
     
     
  9. The cardholder should present their priv rate ticket for inspection, and e-tickets must be presented for scanning by on-board staff when requested.

  10. Revenue Protection Staff may at any time retain possession of an RST Online Leisure Card if it has been, or they suspect that it has been, used fraudulently. Your personal information will be used to support our investigations during this process and will not impact your data privacy rights and freedoms.

• Section 11: All Lines Passes

  This section defines the key conditions of issue and use that are specific to All Lines Pass holders.

  1. An All Lines Pass may be issued for personal use. In this case it will contain the name of the holder and their photograph. No further supporting documentation is required for the use of the pass.
     
     
  2. An All Lines Pass may be issued as a bearer pass with no holder photograph. In this case it will contain the name of the organisation that it is issued to. No further supporting documentation is required for the use of the pass.
     
     
  3. The holder of an All Lines Pass can use it for the purpose endorsed on the card. The options are.

  • • Duty only. Not valid for Leisure and Residential
    • Residential, Leisure and Duty travel
    • Leisure Travel Only. Not valid for Residential and Duty
    • Residential and Leisure travel only. Not valid for Duty

  4. On National Rail services, the cardholder must touch in and out at the start and end of their journey where there is the facility to do so. The cardholder should do this even if the gates have been left in an open status.
     
     
  5. The All Lines Pass should be presented for scanning by on-board staff when requested.

• Section 12: Gold and Silver Status Passes

  This section defines the key conditions of issue and use that are specific to Gold and Silver Status pass holders.

  1. The holder of an Active Gold or Silver Status Pass can use it for residential (travel from home to work) and leisure travel.
     
     
  2. The holder of a Retired Gold or Silver Status Pass can use it for leisure travel only. However it can be used in connection with unpaid voluntary work even if expenses, other than for rail travel, are paid.
     
     
  3. Gold/Silver Status Passes issued to children can be used for travel to school/college.
     
     
  4. No Gold or Silver Status Pass, whether Active or Retired, can be used for duty (travel during the working day to meetings/other work locations) or business travel. Holders with a Retired Gold or Silver Status Pass cannot use it as any part of paid employment, even if that employment is linked to the rail industry.
     
     
  5. On National Rail services, the cardholder must touch in and out at the start and end of their journey where there is the facility to do so. The cardholder should do this even if the gates have been left in an open status.
     
     
  6. The holder of a Gold or Silver Status Pass cannot use it as a gate pass. This means that for example, if you have a Retired Status Pass and have a full fare paper season ticket, you cannot use the Status Pass to open the gates. Likewise you cannot use it to allow others through the gates. Such usage will be treated as a travel irregularity which puts the holder at risk of losing their facilities.
     
     
  7. The Status Pass should be presented for scanning by on-board staff when requested.
     
     
  8. The Status Pass can only be used on some sections of the London Underground as shown in the ‘Gold and Silver Status Pass Map’.

• Section 13: Blue Status Passes

  This section defines the key conditions of issue and use that are specific to Blue Status pass holders.

  1. The Blue Status Pass is valid in the region as indicated on the front of the pass.
     
     
  2. A map of each region is available.
     
     
  3. Blue Status passes are valid on through services which operate from a station within the Region indicated on the Pass into a neighbouring Region and then back into the Region indicated on the Pass, on condition that the cardholder does not alight at any point in the neighbouring Region.
     
     
  4. The holder of an Active Blue Status Pass can use it for residential (travel from home to work) and leisure travel.
     
     
  5. The holder of a Retired Blue Status Pass can use it for leisure travel only. However, it can be used in connection with unpaid voluntary work even if expenses, other than for rail travel, are paid.
     
     
  6. No Blue Status Pass can be used for duty (travel during the working day to meetings/other work locations) or business travel. Holders with a Retired Blue Status Pass cannot use it as any part of paid employment, even if that employment is linked to the railways.
     
     
  7. On National Rail services, the cardholder must touch in and out at the start and end of their journey where there is the facility to do so when using travelling with their Blue Status Pass. The cardholder should do this even if the gates have been left in an open status.
     
     
  8. The holder of a Blue Status Pass cannot use it as a gate pass. This means that for example, if you have a Retired Status Pass and have a full fare paper season ticket or if you have a dated Staff Travel Card, you cannot use the Status Pass to open the gates. Likewise you cannot use it to allow others through the gate. Such usage will be treated as a travel irregularity which puts the holder at risk of losing their facilities.
     
     
  9. The Status Pass should be presented for scanning by on-board staff when requested

• Section 14: Residential Passes

  This section defines the key conditions of issue and use that are specific to Residential Pass holders.

  1. Eligible employees may be issued with a Residential Pass for travel to and from work.
     
     
  2. The journey must be from the National Rail station nearest the employees’ home to the National Rail station nearest to their work location. If the journey details provided do not match those on record, RSTL will reject the application for a Residential Pass.
     
     
  3. If the employee has more than one work location, then they need to choose the journey to the work location they travel to most frequently.
     
     
  4. If the employee requests a journey that is not from their nearest home station, then they will need to inform RSTL of the reason for the request. RSTL can then consider whether the journey can be authorised.
     
     
  5. If the journey the employee requires exceeds their mileage allowance, then they will need to purchase a Privilege Rate Season Ticket with the mileage allowance deducted.
     
     
  6. If the employee changes their work or home address and it invalidates their Residential journey, they must let RSTL know immediately.
     
     
  7. On National Rail services, the cardholder must touch in and out at the start and end of their journey where there is the facility to do so. The cardholder should do this even if the gates have been left in an open status.
     
     
  8. The holder of a Residential Pass cannot use it as a gate pass. This means that for example, if you have a dated Staff Travel Card, you cannot use the Residential Pass to open the gates. Likewise you cannot use it to allow others through the gates. Such usage will be treated as a travel irregularity which puts the holder at risk of losing their facilities.
     
     
  9. The Residential Pass must be presented for scanning by on-board staff when requested.

  10. Residential Passes issued to Police Officers are only valid with the accompanying Warrant Card.

       

  11.  

      Once the employee who has a Residential Pass leaves their place of employment, they are no longer eligible to use their Residential Pass. They must return it to RSTL by taking a photo of it cut into four with the card number visible and emailing it to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Retaining a Residential Pass may cause delays in RSTL issuing new cards/passes if the employee rejoins the railway.

• Section 15: DAT Cards

  This section defines the key conditions of issue and use that are specific to Duty Authority to Travel (DAT) Cardholders.

  1. Active staff who work for a TOC may be eligible for a DAT card. A DAT is valid for travel on National Rail services only.
     
     
  2. Employees cannot apply for DAT cards from RSTL- their employer must apply for a DAT card on their behalf and will only do so if the employee has a diagram that involves using the services of another TOC.
     
     
  3. The cardholder can only use it to travel as a passenger on the services of TOCs as part of a diagrammed working. If the employee does not have a diagrammed duty, then they will not generally be eligible for a DAT card.
     
     
  4. It is not valid for use whilst travelling on the employee’s own TOC services as part of a diagrammed working.
     
     
  5. The cardholder can use it:

  • • Only when on duty and when they are on a diagrammed duty.
    • If they are contingency/management staff, they must have proof that they are carrying out a legitimate operational role.
    • For route familiarisation and to attend training at the Driver Academy.
    • In the class indicated on the card.

  6. The cardholder cannot use it:

  • • to attend medicals, meetings, Trade Union duties etc.
    • for residential (travel from home to work) or leisure travel (ie travel when not on duty).
    • In First Class if the class of travel indicated is Standard Class
    • On London Underground services for any reason, even if on duty.
    • As a gate pass. (i.e. if you are commuting or on a leisure journey with a season ticket, Residential Pass or non-smart enabled TOC card or pass, or working at or passing through a station, you cannot use a DAT card to open the gates).

  7. When travelling the cardholder must present at least one of the following supporting documents:

  • • rostered diagram which shows the need to travel on the service they are using,
    • Safety Critical at Work Identity Card (or equivalent)
    • letter from their employer with details of their training at the Driver Academy.

  If they cannot produce these but have a legitimate operational reason for travelling, then they must explain this to revenue staff. Revenue staff will obtain the cardholders details, and report this to RSTL for further investigation.

  8. If the cardholder uses it for an invalid reason as detailed in clause 6 above, this will be considered a travel irregularity and the cardholder may lose their leisure rail staff travel facilities for a period of time or permanently.
     
     
  9. The cardholder must touch in and out at the start and end of their journey where there is the facility to do so. The cardholder should do this even if the gates have been left in an open status.
     
     
  10. The holder of a DAT cannot use it as a gate pass. This means that for example, they have a paper season ticket, they cannot use the DAT Card to open the gates. Likewise they cannot use it to allow others through the gates. Such usage will be treated as a Travel Irregularity which puts the holder at risk of losing their facilities.
      
      
  11. The DAT card should be presented for scanning by on-board staff when requested.
      
      
  12. If the employee moves roles and is no longer eligible for a DAT card, they must return it to RSTL by taking a photo of it cut into four with the card number visible and sending it to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Retaining a DAT card may cause delays in RSTL issuing new cards/passes if the employee rejoins the railway.

   

• Section 16: Freight Duty Card

  This section defines the key conditions of issue and use that are specific to Freight Duty Card (FDC) Cardholders.

  1. Active staff who work for a Freight Company may be eligible for a FDC. A FDC is valid for travel on National Rail services only.
     
     
  2. The cardholder can only use it to travel as a passenger on the services of TOCs as part of diagrammed working.
     
     
  3. The cardholder can use it:

  • • Only when on duty and when they are on a diagrammed duty.
    • If they are contingency/management staff, they must have proof that they are carrying out a legitimate operational role.
    • In standard class

  4. The cardholder cannot use it:

  • • to attend medicals, meetings, Trade Union duties etc.
    • for residential (travel from home to work) or leisure travel (ie travel when not on duty).
    • In First Class
    • On London Underground services for any reason, even if on duty.
    • As a gate pass. (i.e. if you are using a paper ticket you cannot use a FDC to open the gates).

  5. When travelling the cardholder must present at least one of the following supporting documents:

  • • rostered diagram which shows the need to travel on the service they are using (paper or electronic),
    • Safety Critical at Work Identity Card (or equivalent)
    • Company ID card

  If they cannot produce these but have a legitimate operational reason for travelling, then they must explain this to revenue staff. Revenue staff will obtain the cardholders details and report this to RSTL for further investigation.

  6. If the cardholder uses it for an invalid reason as detailed in clause 4 above, this will be considered a travel irregularity
     
     
  7. The cardholder must touch in and out at the start and end of their journey where there is the facility to do so. The cardholder should do this even if the gates have been left in an open status.
     
     
  8. The holder of a FDC cannot use it as a gate pass. This means that for example, they have a paper season ticket, they cannot use the FDC to open the gates. Likewise, they cannot use it to allow others through the gates. Such usage will be treated as a travel irregularity.
     
     
  9. The Freight Duty card should be presented for scanning by on-board staff when requested.
     
     
  10. If the employee move roles and is therefore no longer eligible for FDC from their employer, they must return it to RSTL by taking a photo of it cut into four with the card number visible and sending it to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Retaining a FDC may cause delays in RSTL issuing new cards/passes if the employee re-joins the railway.

• Section 17: Buying Priv-rate leisure tickets or reserving seats online via RST Online (www.railstafftravel.com)

  1. Once the primary cardholder has registered for RST Online, they can buy anytime, off-peak or 70MinFlex tickets at Priv-rate for themselves and any family members in receipt of rail staff travel facilities.  They can also buy advance tickets at the full public fare and discounted tickets for anyone in their group who has a Railcard.
     
     
  2. Employees who hold a Staff Travel Card or Status Pass can also reserve seats for travel.
     
     
  3. The primary cardholder can also apply for their family members in receipt of rail staff travel facilities to have their own RST Online account.
     
     
  4. When travelling on staff discounted (priv rate) tickets all cardholders must ensure they have their physical Rail Staff Leisure Card, RST Online Leisure Card or Staff Travel Card (whichever they are eligible for) with them as proof that they are eligible for staff discounted (priv rate) travel. Electronic images are not accepted. Providing proof of buying a staff discounted (priv rate) ticket online with no supporting card will be treated as a Travel Irregularity.
     
     
  5. When travelling on a service where only a seat has been reserved via RST Online (and no ticket has been purchased as the employee has free travel), all travellers must ensure they have either a Staff Travel Card dated for travel that day or a valid Status Pass.
     
     
  6. Employees may purchase a Priv rate Season Ticket or Flexi Season via RST Online. All conditions as set out in sections 18, 19 and 20 still apply and the employee must apply a minimum of 7 days in advance (only needed for the first application) using the relevant form 
     
     
  7. Buying staff discounted (priv rate) tickets online and allowing someone who is not in receipt of rail staff travel facilities to use them is not allowed and will be treated as a Travel Irregularity. For clarity a family member is not eligible for any priv rate travel until they have received the appropriate card/pass. This also means that priv rate tickets cannot be purchased for them to use until they have the appropriate card from Rail Staff Travel
     
     
  8. If a cardholder requires a refund for tickets purchased via RST Online, then they need to apply for one via their account. This is available in the ‘My Account’ option, then selecting ‘Your Bookings’, then clicking on ‘View’ against the ticket booking they wish to refund. If they have any difficulties with this, they should contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Refunds for tickets purchased via RST Online cannot be done at Ticket Offices.
     
     
  9. Once the holder of a Rail Staff Leisure card or RST Online Leisure Card leaves employment, they are no longer eligible to buy tickets via RST Online. They will be able to access their online account for a few months to process refunds only.
     
     
  10. Details of ticket types are available on the National Rail website and there is also a National Rail guide to tickets.

   

• Section 18 Priv rate Season Ticket – for holders of Staff Travel Cards (Safeguarded Employees)

  This section defines the key conditions of issue and use that are specific to the Priv rate Season Ticket for Safeguarded employees.

  1. A Priv rate Season Ticket allows a Safeguarded Employee to travel between two stations on National Rail and open access operators Heathrow Express, Grand Central, Lumo, and Hull Trains.
     
     
  2. For some Safeguarded employees it may also allow travel on London Underground and DLR services. In these circumstances its use is also subject to Transport for London Conditions of Carriage. There is no free mileage allowance for journeys on London Underground or DLR services.
     
     
  3. Where a Safeguarded employee needs to travel from outside London and then across or within London, two Season Tickets will be required; one for travel on national rail services where the mileage allowance is applied and one for the zonal travelcard where no free mileage is applicable.
     
     
  4. The Season Ticket must be from the National Rail station nearest the employees’ home to the National Rail station nearest to their work location. If the journey details provided do not match those on record, RSTL will reject the application.
     
     
  5. If the employee has more than one work location, then they need to choose a journey to the work location they travel to most frequently.
     
     
  6. If the employee requests for a journey that is not from their nearest home station, then they will need to inform RSTL of the reason for the request. RSTL can then consider whether the journey can be authorised.
     
     
  7. A Priv rate Season Ticket application will only be authorised by RSTL if the employee has applied on the correct form (Residential Travel form xx01) and it has been received by RSTL at least 7 days before the proposed start date of the season ticket.
     
     
  8. If the employee has selected to purchase it via RST Online, once authorised for the first time, the option to purchase the Season Ticket will be available in their RST Online account. Unless they change work or home address, they will not need to contact RSTL for a new Season Ticket, they can purchase a new one from their online account.
     
     
  9. For a new Season Ticket for use on a smartcard, the ticket can be purchased up to 30 days in advance of the first day of validity.
     
     
  10. If the employee has selected to purchase it at a Ticket Office, once authorised, they will be issued with an authorised Season Ticket form, which they will need to take to the station when purchasing their ticket. They must have the Photo ID with them as specified on the form.
      
      
  11. For a new paper season ticket, if the start date is a Saturday, Sunday or Monday (also Tuesday after a Bank Holiday), the ticket can be purchased from noon on the previous Friday. If the start date is another day, the ticket can only be purchased after noon on the previous day. For a renewal which has no break in continuity from an existing Priv rate season ticket, the employee may purchase the renewal anytime up to seven days in advance. They must ensure that they buy their Season Ticket within these timescales or they will need to apply again on a Residential Travel form xx01
      
      
  12. A Safeguarded Employee may apply for a Priv rate Season Ticket for eligible child dependents solely for use to travel to and from an educational establishment as specified at the time of application. They must not be used for duty or business travel or for commuting to work (if they earn under the weekly threshold). The employee may be asked to provide proof of their child’s place of education before an authorised Season Ticket form is issued. As mentioned above, those on an apprenticeship are not eligible for a Privilege Season Ticket.
      
      
  13. RSTL, the TOCs and Transport for London/London Underground reserve the right to refuse to issue, renew, or cancel a Priv rate Season Ticket.
      
      
  14. The minimum period for a Priv Season Ticket is 7 days if purchased via RST Online or one month if purchased from a Ticket Office. The validity can be any period from the minimum and up to one year. If purchasing at a Ticket Office the employee must reapply to RSTL on a Residential Travel form xx01 every time they require a new ticket.
      
      
  15. If an employee attempts to or succeeds in purchasing a Priv rate Season Ticket without using the Residential Travel Form this will be considered a Travel Irregularity. The only exception to this is if they are buying a zonal Travelcard from a London Underground station.
      
      
  16. If an employee ceases to be eligible for rail staff travel facilities for any reason or it is not required for the purpose for which it was issued (e.g. as a result of change of residence, work location or duties, leaving service, or leaving education), the ticket must be surrendered immediately to RSTL as a refund may be due. Employees should contact RSTL for more information on how to do this.
      
      
  17. If there is a gap of more than one month between Season Tickets RSTL has issued, RSTL may ask the employee for proof of how they have been travelling to work.
      
      
  18. If a Priv rate season ticket is no longer required and the employee requires a refund, this must be approved by RSTL. For a refund of a paper Season Ticket, the employee must apply to RSTL using refund form XX11.

• Section 19: Priv Rate Season Ticket for holders of Rail Staff Leisure Cards (Non-Safeguarded employees)

  This section defines the key conditions of issue and use that are specific to the Reduced Rate Season Ticket.

  1. A Priv rate Season Ticket allows an Employee to travel between two stations on National Rail and open access operators Heathrow Express, Grand Central, Lumo, and Hull Trains. For the avoidance of doubt, this does not include travel on London Underground or DLR services (so zonal Travelcards cannot be purchased),
     
     
  2. The Season Ticket must be from the National Rail station nearest the employees’ home to the National Rail station nearest to their work location. If the journey details provided do not match those on record, RSTL will reject the application
     
     
  3. If the employee has more than one work location, then they need to choose a journey to the work location they travel to most frequently.
     
     
  4. If the employee requests for a journey that is not from their nearest home station, then they will need to inform RSTL of the reason for the request. RSTL can then consider whether the journey can be authorised.
     
     
  5. A Priv rate Season Ticket will only be authorised by RSTL if the employee has applied on the correct form (Residential Travel form xx01) and it has been received by RSTL at least 7 days before the proposed start date of the season ticket.
     
     
  6. If the employee has selected to purchase it via RST Online, once authorised for the first time, the option to purchase the Season Ticket will be available in their RST Online account. Unless they change work or home address, they will not need to contact RSTL for a new Season Ticket, they can purchase a new one from their online account.
     
     
  7. For a new Season Ticket for use on a smartcard, the ticket can be purchased up to 30 days in advance of the first day of validity.
     
     
  8. If the employee has selected to purchase it at a Ticket Office, once authorised, they will be issued with an authorised Season Ticket form, which they will need to take to the station when purchasing their ticket. They must have the Photo ID with them as specified on the form.
     
     
  9. For a new paper season ticket, if the start date is a Saturday, Sunday or Monday (also Tuesday after a Bank Holiday), the ticket can be purchased from noon on the previous Friday. If the start date is another day, the ticket can only be purchased after noon on the previous day. For a renewal which has no break in continuity from an existing Priv rate season ticket, the employee may purchase the renewal anytime up to seven days in advance. They must ensure that they buy their Season Ticket within these timescales or they will need to apply again on a Residential Travel form xx01
     
     
  10. An Employee may apply for a Priv rate Season Ticket for eligible child dependents solely for use to travel to and from an educational establishment as specified at the time of application. They must not be used for residential, duty or business travel or for trading purposes, e.g. commuting to work (if they earn under the weekly threshold). The employee may be asked to provide proof of their child’s place of education before an authorised Season Ticket form is issued. As mentioned above, those on an apprenticeship are not eligible for a Priv rate Season Ticket.
      
      
  11. RSTL and the TOCs reserve the right to refuse to issue, renew, or cancel a Priv rate Season Ticket.
      
      
  12. The minimum period for a Priv Season Ticket is 7 days if purchased via RST Online or one month if purchased from a Ticket Office. The validity can be any period from the minimum and up to one year. If purchasing at a Ticket Office, the employee must reapply to RSTL on a Residential Travel form xx01 every time they require a new ticket.
      
      
  13. If an employee attempts to or succeeds in purchasing a Priv rate Season Ticket without using the Residential Travel Form this will be considered a Travel Irregularity.
      
      
  14. If an employee ceases to be eligible for rail staff travel facilities for any reason or it is not required for the purpose for which it was issued (e.g. as a result of change of residence, work location or duties, leaving service, or leaving education), the ticket must be surrendered immediately to RSTL as a refund may be due. Employees should contact RSTL for more information.
      
      
  15. If there is a gap of more than one month between Season Tickets RSTL has issued, RSTL may ask the employee for proof of how they have been travelling to work.
      
      
  16. If a Priv rate season ticket is no longer required and the employee requires a refund, this must be approved by RSTL. For a refund of a paper Season Ticket, the employee must apply to RSTL using refund form XX11.
      
      
  17. The Reduced Rate Season Ticket is an additional benefit to the TOC Privilege Travel Arrangement, which is subject to annual rolling review by the participating TOCs. There is no guarantee that it will continue from year to year and it can be withdrawn at any time.
      
      

• Section 20: Staff discounted (priv) rate Flexi Seasons

  1. All employees eligible for priv rate residential travel are eligible to apply for a staff discounted (priv rate) Flexi Season. A Flexi Season is a smart product that allows eight days’ worth of travel between two stations to be used within 28 days.
     
     
  2. It is only available in Standard Class and there is no free mileage for Safeguarded employees.
     
     
  3. There are journeys where a Flexi-Season ticket is not available. Employees must check the Season Ticket calculator before applying to check that their journey has a Flexi Season product available. 
     
     
  4. As the Flexi Season is a smart product employees will need an RST Season Smartcard to purchase it. An RST Season Smartcard can be requested using form XX42 
     
     
  5. Employees cannot use a smartcard issued by their TOC as an employee to load a staff discounted (priv rate) Flexi Season.
     
     
  6. A Flexi Season will only be authorised by RSTL if the employee has applied on the correct form (Flexi Season form xx32) and it has been received by RSTL at least 7 working days before the proposed start date of the Flexi Season.
     
     
  7. All conditions as set out in clauses 18.2-18.7 apply.
     
     
  8. Once the Flexi Season is purchased, the National Rail Smartcard Manager App should be downloaded. This allows the employee to keep track of the number of Flexi passes used and the number available. The Flexi Season needs to be activated each day they intend to use it. They do this via the NR Smartcard Manager App or by touching in on the gate line or PVAL.
     
     
  9. Once the employee has activated a day’s travel, it can be used for an unlimited number of times between the two destinations until 04:29 the following morning. The day’s travel is between 04.30 and 04.29.
     
     
  10. Once a pass has been activated for a days’ travel it cannot be put back in a non-active state to be used again another day. Employees should only activate a pass if they are definitely going to be travelling on that day.
      
      
  11. If an employee boards a train without activating a pass they will be travelling without a valid ticket and may be liable for a Penalty Fare or Prosecution, as per the normal Penalty Fare rules.
      
      
  12. Once purchased, the journey cannot be changed. If an employee does not intend to use their remaining passes they can apply for a refund, and then purchase a new Flexi Season.
      
      
  13. If an employee wants a refund on their Flexi Season as they have not used all eight journeys, this must be approved by RSTL. A staff discounted (priv) rate Flexi Season cannot be taken to a ticket office for a refund. An employee will need to submit their refund request through RST Online.
      
      
  14. Refund claims can only be made during the validity of the ticket (so must be done within 28 days from the start date). Any requests for refunds outside of this time will be refused.
      
      
  15. Flexi Seasons are only available as an adult product, there is no child fare equivalent.
      
      
  16. RSTL and the TOCs reserve the right to refuse to issue, renew, or cancel a staff discounted (priv rate) Flexi Season.

• Section 21: TOC and Group Specific Cards and Passes

  1.       RSTL issue cards and passes on behalf of TOCs for use on their own or their Group’s services. These are subject to any additional terms and conditions that the TOC or Group set when they are issued. Employees should keep a copy of these for reference.
  
  

  2.       As a general rule, cards/passes issued to an active employee are usually valid for residential, leisure and in some cases duty travel. For clarity this only covers travel to work for the TOC you work for. If you have other paid employment your card/pass cannot be used to travel to/from that place of work.
   

  3.       Cards/passes issued to partners/spouses and retired employees are only valid for leisure use. They cannot be used for travelling to their place of work or to training courses, etc.
  
  

  4.       Cards/Passes issued to child dependents are usually valid for leisure travel and may be valid for travelling to/from places of education. However, the employee should check the wording on the card/pass to confirm what it can be used for, as not all TOCs allow use for educational purposes.
  
  

  5.       Employees cannot use a smart enabled TOC or Group Specific pass as a gate pass (i.e. if they have a smart enabled TOC or Group Specific pass and have a paper season ticket, priv-rate ticket, etc they cannot use the TOC or Group Specific pass to open the gates).
  
  

  6.       Any smart enabled TOC card must be presented for scanning by on-board staff when requested.
  
  

  7.       Employees need to be aware of any franchise changes, as this may affect what services they can use a TOC or Group specific card on.
  
  

  8.       Any misuse of these will be reported to the employing TOC as a Travel Irregularity.
  
  

• Section 22: International Travel - Leisure Travel Outside GB on FIP undertakings

  This section defines the key conditions of issue and use that are specific to the reciprocal arrangements for free, reduced rate and concessionary travel outside of Great Britain.

  1. FIP stands for “Groupement pour les Facilites de Circulation Internationales due Personnel des Chemins de Fer”. It is a group of European transport undertakings and sets the rules under which we exchange travel facilities. RSTL is part of this group and are governed by the FIP rules for European travel.
     
     
  2. Not all employees in receipt of National rail staff travel facilities are eligible for a FIP card or FIP coupons.
     
     
  3. The FIP International Reduced Rate Card (known as a FIP Card) is issued to eligible employees and their eligible family members for reciprocal reduced rate travel on the carriers that are members of FIP.
     
     
  4. If eligible, employees can be issued with an International Coupon for reciprocal free travel on FIP carriers. The coupon is quota controlled on a personal and family basis and varies across FIP carriers and from calendar year to calendar year.
     
     
  5. An International Coupon will only be authorised by RSTL if the employee has applied on the International Coupons Application - Employee and Family Members form and it has been received by RSTL at least three weeks before the proposed start date of the journey.
     
     
  6. If an employee is applying for International Coupons for more than six countries, they will need to provide details of their itinerary. Even then, RSTL may need further information before International Coupons can be issued.
     
     
  7. If an employee ceases to be eligible for a FIP Card or FIP Coupons for any reason during the period of validity, no refund will be due for any tickets purchased or paid reservations made.
     
     
  8. International Coupons are issued for a validity period of 3 months, except where the travel date is during December in which case the expiry date of the Coupon will be 31 March the following year.
     
     
  9. If an employee has an unused quota for a FIP Undertaking at the end of a calendar year, then the unused quota for that FIP Undertaking can be used for travel in the first 3 months of the following year provided that: the application is made at least 3 weeks before 31 December and the outward journey date is stated as 31 December.
     
     
  10. Each International Coupon is valid for travel only in the country and on the services specified on the Coupon (subject to any restrictions).
      
      
  11. If an International Coupon has been used on a carrier adjoining or bordering the country of issue, it may not be used again for any further journeys on this railway after the return journey has been made to the issuing railway (i.e. if an employee returns to GB). Adjoining carriers adjoining or bordering Britain are StL (Stena Line North Sea) and SLL (Stena Line Irish Sea). Part used coupons for non-adjoining countries may still be used.
      
      
  12. To obtain free international leisure travel, the boxes printed on the International Coupon are used as follows:
      
      
      • Before commencing a free journey, the date (day and month) of the journey must be entered in permanent ink in the first available box on the coupon. The date must be entered using Arabic numerals, with zero in front of single digits, e.g. 07/08 for 7th August. The date must be completed in permanent ink only; completing a box in erasable ink, erasable pen or pencil is prohibited.
      • Each dated box on the coupon allows free travel from the time that the box was dated on the first day until midnight on the following day. For example, a box dated 07/08 allows journeys from the time that the box was completed on 7th August until 24.00hrs on 8th August.
      • During the period of free travel, the travel does not have to be continuous: any number of journeys may be undertaken.
      • Alterations to the date entered are not permitted under any circumstances; and dates must also not be overwritten. If a mistake is made, that allocation of free travel is forfeited, the error must be blocked out, and the correct date entered in the next box.
      • If an International Coupon is being used without a box being dated, Revenue Protection Staff, ticket inspectors, or the local equivalent, will cancel the next available box, charge the full fare for the journey and require the holder to date and use the following box.
      • If an International Coupon is being used with the wrong date entered, Revenue Protection Staff, ticket inspectors, or the local equivalent, will cancel the next available box, charge the full fare for the journey and require the holder to date and use the following box.
      • Any instances of travelling without dating a box, or where it appears the date has been overwritten will be classed as a Travel Irregularity.
        
        
  13. International Coupons that are unused or have been lost, stolen or damaged in any way cannot be replaced under FIP Regulations.
      
      
  14. International Duty Coupons are provided separately and are not subject to quota.
      
      
  15. Loss of FIP cards or FIP coupons must be reported immediately to RSTL in writing or by e-mail giving the circumstances of the loss and steps undertaken to recover the cards or coupons.
      
      
  16. Theft of FIP cards or FIP coupons must be reported immediately to the police in the country in which the theft took place and a certificate obtained from the police to confirm the report was submitted, and to RSTL in the form of a notification giving the circumstances of the theft long with a copy of the certificate received from the police.

   

• Section 23: International travel on non FIP undertakings

  This section defines the key conditions of issue and use that are specific to the reciprocal arrangements for free, reduced rate and concessionary travel outside of Great Britain and outside the FIP undertakings.

  1. Only Safeguarded staff are eligible to apply.
     
     
  2. Applications for free or reduced rate travel must be made a minimum of ten weeks in advance of travel.
     
     
  3. Countries that may offer free/discounted travel are outlined in the Rail Staff Travel Guide for holders of the Staff Travel Card. 
     
     
  4. RSTL cannot guarantee that tickets and letters of introduction for railways will be possible or will arrive in time for the date of travel so this should be borne in in mind when making travel plans

RST Contact Details

Complaints

Rail Staff Travel

Employees of Train Operating Companies (TOCs)

• I’ve just started working, or am about to start working, for a TOC. What do I need to do to get travel facilities?

  Once we have received your joiner information from your HR department, we will create a Rail Staff Travel record for you. Before we can issue any cards/passes to you will need to upload a photo of yourself. Select Rail Staff Leisure Card as the card you are applying for.

  If you uploaded a photo within a few weeks of joining and have yet to receive any cards/passes, please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• I’ve recently started working for a TOC. When can my family get travel facilities?

  Once you have received your Rail Staff Leisure Card you can apply for facilities for your eligible family members.

  The forms are available on our website at www.raildeliverygroup.com/rst/forms.

  If you are applying for a spouse, partner or child for the first time, you need to supply a photo of them when applying. The forms you need are below:

  • Add Spouse or Partner (online) (XX02a)
  • Partner Declaration (XX03)
  • Add Child Dependant (online) (XX02b)
  • Child Declaration (online) (XX05)

• I hold a Rail Staff Leisure Card and will be leaving a TOC to retire. Will I be eligible to retain my facilities?

  You are not eligible to retain your national and international travel facilities in retirement. However, your TOC may allow you to keep your TOC specific card/pass. You should contact your HR department before you leave to discuss this with them.

  You will need to return any outstanding cards/passes to RST. Please cut them into 4 and send us a picture of these by email with the name and number visible so these can be cancelled from your record.

• I hold a Rail Staff Leisure Card and will be leaving a TOC to join another TOC. What do I need to do?

  If you are joining another TOC and have less than a month between leaving and re-joining you will need to send your TOC and Group passes back to RST by cutting them into 4 and sending a picture of these This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. You can keep your Rail Staff Leisure Card.

• I hold a Rail Staff Leisure Card and will be leaving a TOC to join another rail industry company that is not a TOC. What do I need to do?

  You will not be able to retain any of your staff travel facilities when leaving your current TOC employer.

  You will need to return any outstanding cards, including those issued to your family members, to RST. When returning to RST please cut them into 4 and send us a picture of these by email with the name and number visible so these can be cancelled from your record.

• I have just got a promotion and I think that my travel will be changed because of this. What do I need to do?

  We will be notified of the change to your grade by your employer. At this point we will contact you if we need to make any changes to your current facilities.

• I have Safeguarded travel facilities and will be leaving the TOC to retire. Will I be eligible to retain my travel facilities?

  As a Safeguarded Employee you may be able to retain your national staff travel facilities if your employer confirms to us you have retired by age and you are eligible to receive your pension. This information has to come from them, and we cannot make any changes to your record without them advising us. If you are eligible we will be in contact with you regarding any travel facilities you may be eligible to receive and any that need to be returned for cancellation or exchanging.

  You should complete our Retired Data Check form (XX12) on www.raildeliverygroup.com/rst/forms to ensure we have your most up to date contact details.

• I have Safeguarded travel facilities and will be leaving the TOC due to redundancy. Will I be eligible to retain my travel facilities?

  As a Safeguarded Employee you may be able to retain your national staff travel facilities if your employer confirms to us, you have been made redundant. This information must come from them, and we cannot make any changes to your record without them advising us.

  If you are eligible we will be in contact with you regarding any travel facilities you may be eligible to receive and any that need to be returned for cancellation or exchanging.

  You should complete our Retired Data Check form (XX12) on www.raildeliverygroup.com/rst/forms. to ensure we have your most up to date contact details.

• I have Safeguarded travel facilities and will be leaving the TOC to join another TOC. What do I need to do?

  If you are joining another TOC and have less than a month between leaving and re-joining you will need to send your TOC and Group passes back to RST by cutting them into 4 and sending a picture of these This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. You can keep your Staff Travel Card.

  RST will need your new employer to complete the required forms to apply for travel for you. If there is a gap in service of a month or more you will need to provide proof of unemployment in the form of a current OCA41 letter from HMRC from the date you left your previous employer to the day you joined your new employer. This is needed so continuous service can be granted and enable you to continue to be a Safeguarded employee.

  Please note that Transport for London (London Underground), Open-access operators such as Grand Central, Heathrow Express, Lumo and Hull Trains are not considered TOCs so cannot offer Safeguarded travel facilities.

• I have Safeguarded travel facilities and will be leaving the TOC voluntarily to join another company in the rail industry, but not another TOC. Will I be eligible to retain my travel facilities?

  It is best to check with RST in the first instance that the company you are joining will be able to offer you rail staff travel facilities. Just because a company in the rail industry has employees with rail staff travel facilities does not mean that safeguarded employees who join voluntarily are also eligible.

  If they are not eligible to give you rail staff travel facilities, you will lose your eligibility to Safeguarded staff travel facilities. You will not be able to re-obtain these later, e.g. you will not get the travel facilities back when you reach your minimum pension age, retire or are made redundant.

• I have Safeguarded travel facilities and will be leaving the TOC voluntarily as I am leaving the industry to take up employment elsewhere. Will I be able to retain my travel facilities??

  As you are leaving the rail industry, unless you are eligible to retain your leisure travel facilities due to redundancy or retirement, you will lose your eligibility to Safeguarded staff travel. You will not be able to re-obtain these at a later date, e.g. when you reach your minimum pension age, retire or are made redundant.

• I have a Gold/Silver Status Pass and will be moving companies. How is this affected?

  It is best to check with RST in the first instance that the company you are joining will be able to offer you rail staff travel.

  In terms of the level of travel, this all depends which company you are moving to, whether you meet the eligibility for a Status Pass there and whether your new employer has sufficient Status Pass quota to allocate one to you. You should discuss the level of travel they are willing to give you with them.

  Holders of Blue Status Passes do not retain these when leaving one eligible employer to join another.

• I have a Gold/Silver/Blue Status Pass and will be retiring. How is this affected?

  If you are eligible to retain your staff travel facilities in retirement or redundancy then you will be able to retain your Status Pass as well.

  Once you have left, Status Passes will need to be cut into 4 and pictures sent to RST for these to be issued as the retired version.

  If you have an Oyster Status Pass, a retired version will be ordered and once an image of the cut up active pass is received, we will post the retired version to you. Please note if you are aged under 50 the Oyster Status Pass will not be reissued until you reach 50 as per TfL’s rules. You should contact RST in this instance.

  You should complete our Retired Data Check form (XX12) on our www.raildeliverygroup.com/rst/forms. page. This will allow us to keep in touch with you.

Employees of Other Employers

• I have Safeguarded travel facilities and will be leaving my Employer to retire. Will I be eligible to retain my facilities?

  As a Safeguarded Employee you may be able to retain your national staff travel facilities if your employer confirms to us you have retired by age, and they are happy to pay any charges that may apply and you are eligible to take your pension. This information has to come from them, and we cannot make any changes to your record without them advising us.

  If you are eligible, we will be in contact with you regarding any travel facilities you may be eligible to receive and any that need to be returned for cancellation or exchanging.

• I have Safeguarded travel facilities and will be leaving my Employer soon voluntarily to join another company in the rail industry. Will I be eligible to retain my facilities?

  As a Safeguarded Employee you may be able to retain your national staff travel facilities if your employer confirms to us you have been made redundant or accepted voluntary severance and they are happy to pay any charges that may apply. This information must come from them, and we cannot make any changes to your record without them advising us.

  If you are eligible we will be in contact with you regarding any travel facilities you may be eligible to receive and any that need to be returned for cancellation or exchanging.

• I have Safeguarded travel facilities and will be leaving my Employer soon voluntarily to join another company in the rail industry. Will this affect my rail staff travel facilities?

  It is best to check with RST in the first instance that the company you are joining will be able to offer you rail staff travel facilities. Just because a company in the rail industry has employees with rail staff travel facilities does not mean that safeguarded employees who join voluntarily are also eligible.

  If they are not eligible to give you rail staff travel facilities, you will lose your eligibility to Safeguarded staff travel facilities. You will not be able to re-obtain these later, e.g. you will not get the travel facilities back when you reach your minimum pension age, retire or are made redundant.

  Further information on this can be found under the section Leaving Railway Employment

• I have Safeguarded travel facilities and will be leaving my Employer soon voluntarily as I am leaving the industry to take up employment elsewhere. Will this affect my rail staff travel facilities?

  As you are leaving the rail industry, unless you are eligible to retain your leisure travel facilities due to redundancy or retirement, you will lose your eligibility to Safeguarded staff travel. You will not be able to re-obtain these at a later date, e.g. when you reach your minimum pension age, retire or are made redundant.

• I have a Gold/Silver Status Pass and will be moving companies. Will this affect my rail staff travel facilities?

  It is best to check with RST in the first instance that the company you are joining will be able to offer you rail staff travel.

  In terms of the level of travel, this all depends which company you are moving to, whether you meet the eligibility for a Status Pass there and whether your new employer has sufficient Status Pass quota to allocate one to you. You should discuss the level of travel they are willing to give you with them.

  Holders of Blue Status Passes do not retain these when leaving one eligible employer to join another.

• I have a Gold/Silver/Blue Status Pass and will be retiring. . Will this affect my rail staff travel facilities?

  If you are eligible to retain your staff travel facilities in retirement or redundancy and your employer is happy to pay any charges that may apply, then you will be able to retain your Status Pass as well.

  Once you have left, Status Passes will need to be cut into 4 and pictures sent to RST for these to be issued as the retired version.

  If you have an Oyster Status Pass, a retired version will be ordered and once an image of the cut up active pass is received, we will post the retired version to you. Please note if you are aged under 50 the Ooyster Status Pass will not be reissued until you reach 50 as per TfL’s rules. You should contact RST in this instance.

  You should complete our Retired Data Check form (XX12) on www.raildeliverygroup.com/rst/forms. to ensure we have your most up to date contact details.

• I have just got a promotion and I think that my travel will be changed because of this. What do I need to do?

  We will be notified of the change to your grade by your employer. At this point we will contact you if we need to make any changes to your current facilities.

Retired/Redundant Employees

• I have now retired and get a rail pension. I used to get travel on British Rail but left a while ago. Can I get my travel back?

  If you were eligible to retain your travel facilities when you left the rail industry, then you would have kept them. If you aren’t currently receiving them then it is likely you weren’t eligible when you left. Even if the rules have changed they do not apply retrospectively.
   
  Claiming your pension does not change your eligibility for travel facilities. Rules for pensions and travel facilities are completely different and you can be in receipt of one and not the other.

• I resigned from or was dismissed by British Rail / TOC and went to work elsewhere. Can I get my travel back now that I have retired and am getting my pension?

  Resignation and dismissal are not reasons for leaving that entitle you to keep you travel facilities. Regardless of whether you are now claiming your pension this does not change your eligibility for travel facilities.

• I was made redundant from British Rail / TOC a while ago. Can I get my travel back now that I have retired and am getting my pension?

  If you were eligible to retain your travel facilities when you left the rail industry, then you would have kept them. If you aren’t currently receiving them then it is likely you weren’t eligible when you left. Even if the rules have changed, they do not apply retrospectively.
   
  Claiming your pension does not change your eligibility for travel facilities. Rules for pensions and travel facilities are completely different and you can be in receipt of one and not the other.

• I am over 60 and I get a Staff Travel Card every year. Can I take my grandchildren with me on the train?

  If you qualify for a Senior Railcard (see www.senior-railcard.co.uk for eligibility - you do not have to purchase a senior railcard) and you have a Staff Travel Card that states that “Retired” or Widow/er, then you can take up to 4 children aged between 5 and 15 with you for a flat fare per child.

  In some circumstances, a TOC may choose to only offer single fares on a journey and not offer return fares, in which case the flat fare can only be purchased as a single. In these cases the child will need a single flat fare for each direction of travel on a return journey.

  This is for travel in Standard class only and the children have to travel with you.

  Proof of eligibility to purchase a Senior Railcard must be produced with your Retired Staff Travel Card when purchasing tickets.

  The flat fare is published on the Useful Information page. 

Change of Employment

• I currently hold a Staff Travel Card and I am changing my hours to start working part-time. How does this affect my travel?

  If you change your hours, this will not impact the national rail staff travel facilities that you receive.

  This means that you will continue to receive the same number of boxes on your Staff Travel Card.

• I currently hold a Rail Staff Leisure Card and I am changing my hours to start working part-time. How does this affect my travel?

  If you change your hours, this will not impact the national rail staff travel facilities that you receive.

Change of Details

• I have recently changed my name. How do I change my name on my existing cards and passes?

  To notify us of your change of name please complete Employee Change of Name form xx25 available at www.raildeliverygroup.com/rst/forms.

  You will need to supply a scan of evidence of your marriage or civil partnership certificate or copy of the deed poll. If you need one of your passes for residential or duty purposes, please attach a photo of the pass intact to the form and we will replace it without you sending it in to us. Please cut the leisure passes into 4 with the name and numbers showing and attach a photo of these with the form. We will then be able to reissue them.

  Once you have the new residential/duty pass, you will then need to email us the obsolete one cut into 4 so it can be cancelled from your record. 

  If you have not changed your passport name, then the FIP card should be kept until this is changed.

• My dependant has recently changed their name. How do I change their name on their existing cards and passes?

  To notify us of your Dependant's change of name please complete Dependant Change of Name form xx26 available at www.raildeliverygroup.com/rst/forms.

  With regards to your dependants passes these all need to be cut into 4 and attached to the xx26 form and then they will be reissued.

  If your dependant uses a pass for education please attach a photo of the pass intact to the form and we will replace it without you sending it in to us. Once you have the new pass, you will then need to email us the obsolete one cut into 4 so it can be cancelled from your record. 

  If your dependant has not changed their passport name, then the FIP card should be kept until this is changed.

• I or one of my family members is in the process of transitioning. What are the options for the cards/passes I have?

  RST will do its best to help with this. As individual circumstances vary, please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• How do I notify you of my change of address?

  For addresses in the United Kingdom you can only notify us by completing the Change of Address form xx15 from www.raildeliverygroup.com/rst/forms

  If you are a widow/er please fill in as much information as possible so it enables us to find your record.

  If you live outside of the United Kingdom, please email us confirming your card number and old and new address.

• How do I notify you of my change of email address or phone number?

  Please complete the Change of Details form xx21 from www.raildeliverygroup.com/rst/forms

  If you are a widow/er please fill in as much information as possible so it enables us to find your record

Widow(er)s

• I get travel as a Widow(er) and have just started living with a new Partner/Spouse. What do I need to do?

  As a widow(er), your eligibility to retain staff travel facilities is through your dependency on your late spouse/partner.

  As you have started a new relationship this dependency has ceased and you are no longer eligible, even if that relationship later ends.

  A new relationship is classified as a marriage, civil partnership, or simply co-habiting in an arrangement that would consider the other person as your domestic partner.

  You must inform RST immediately and cut your current staff travel facilities into 4 and send these to RST by email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) for cancellation.  Once staff travel facilities have been lost in this way you will not be eligible to regain them in the future

• I am over 60 and I get a Staff Travel Card every year. Can I take my grandchildren with me on the train?

  If you qualify for a Senior Railcard (see www.senior-railcard.co.uk for eligibility) and you have a Staff Travel Card that states that “Retired” or Widow/er, then you can take up to 4 children aged between 5 and 15 with you for a flat fare per child. This is for travel in Standard class only and the children have to travel with you. Proof of eligibility to purchase a Senior Railcard must be produced with your Retired Staff Travel Card when purchasing tickets.

  The flat fare is published on the Useful Information page.

• I am recently widowed and my spouse dealt with my rail staff travel. Have you anything to help me understand how to manage this going forwards?

  There is a Guide for Widows and Widowers which you can find at the bottom of our Guides page. It is available as a PDF so can be printed out if required.

  This should help you to understand how to use your Staff Travel Card going forwards, and how they are renewed each year.

  Please remember to let Rail Staff Travel know if you change your home address, so that your Staff Travel Card can continue to be posted to you each year.

  If you have any questions, you can always e-mail the Rail Staff Travel team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Please ensure you put your name, address and postcode in the e-mail so that the team can locate your rail staff travel record.  

Acting on behalf of the Employee or Widow(er)

• My Spouse/Partner is a retired employee of the rail industry and they want me to deal with their travel as they find it confusing. How can I do this for them?

  If you receive staff travel facilities as a Spouse/Partner through their record and providing that we have confirmation from them that you can act on their behalf (by phone, letter or email), then we will mark the record accordingly and can accept instructions from you. Any instructions that we receive from the employee should make clear the extent of the authority that has been provided, e.g. whether it is just for a specific period of time or enduring. We only accept this for paying for replacements cards/passes and reporting cards as lost. We cannot make any changes to the record, such as change of address.

  If they are not able to give their consent in this way (e.g. owing to incapacity), then we will only be able to accept instructions from you if you can provide us with a copy of:

  • a registered Power of Attorney showing you as their attorney, or
  • a registered Deputyship showing you as their deputy, or
  • a BF57 form issued to you as their appointee by the DWP (in respect of managing their state benefits).

• My parent is a retired employee of the rail industry and they want me to deal with their travel as they find it confusing. How can I do this for them?

  If you receive staff travel facilities as a child dependant through their record, you are over the age of 18 and providing that we have confirmation from them that you can act on their behalf (by, letter or email), then we will mark the record accordingly and can accept instructions from you. Any instructions that we receive from the employee should make clear the extent of the authority that has been provided, e.g. whether it is just for a specific period of time or enduring. . We only accept this for paying for replacements cards/passes and reporting cards as lost. We cannot make any changes to the record, such as change of address.

  If they are not able to give their consent in this way (e.g. owing to incapacity), then we will only be able to accept instructions from you if you can provide us with a copy of:

  • a registered Power of Attorney showing you as their attorney, or
  • a registered Deputyship showing you as their deputy, or
  • a BF57 form issued to you as their appointee by the DWP (in respect of managing their state benefits).

• I want to speak on behalf of my spouse/partner, but I do not receive rail staff travel facilities. How can I do this for them?

  We will only be able to accept instructions from you if you can provide us with a copy of:

  • a registered Power of Attorney showing you as their attorney, or ·
  • a registered Deputyship showing you as their deputy, or
  • a BF57 form issued to you as their appointee by the DWP (in respect of managing their state benefits).

• My Spouse/Partner is an active employee of the rail industry and they want me to deal with their travel. How can I do this for them?

  If you receive staff travel facilities as a Spouse/Partner through their record and providing that we have confirmation from them that you can act on their behalf (by letter or email), then we will mark the record accordingly and can accept instructions from you.

  Any instructions that we receive from the employee should make clear the extent of the authority that has been provided, e.g. whether it is just for a specific period of time or enduring. We only accept this for paying for replacements cards/passes and reporting cards as lost. We cannot make any changes to the record, such as change of address

• I have a registered Power of Attorney for a Retired Employee who receives staff travel. What do I need to do so that I can deal with RST on their behalf?

  We will require a photocopy of the Power of Attorney that has either been stamped by the OPG or signed by the donor, solicitor or notary that it is a true copy (per OPG instructions). o that we can make the necessary changes to the contact elements of our record.

  With this we need confirmation of the employee or widow/er’s name and address and Staff Travel Card number

  You can scan/take a photo of these documents and email them to us.  Please do not send original documents by post. We cannot accept links to view this online we need the full document online.

  Once we have this, we will make the necessary changes so that all future correspondence is sent to you.

• I don’t have a registered Power of Attorney or Deputyship for a retired Employee who receives staff travel. What do I need to do so that I can deal with RST on their behalf?

  You cannot deal with RST if you do not have a registered Power of Attorney or Deputyship.

Adding a Spouse/Partner

• How do I get passes for my Spouse or Partner?

  You can apply by using our Add Partner form which can be found on our forms page. Complete this form online and submit to us with a copy of your marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate in JPEG or PDF format. A passport photo should also be uploaded to our website as we are unable to issue any cards and passes without this.

  If you do not have a marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate then you will need to complete the Partner Declaration (XX03) or Non-Cohabiting Partner Declaration (XX04).

  This statutory declaration that you are a meaningful relationship must be sworn before, and witnessed by, a Solicitor or other authorised body. They must then stamp the form.

  If you live with your partner and are making a Partner Declaration (XX03) the witness should first verify the supplied documentation proving that you are continuously and permanently living together in the same property. The guidance notes on the Partner Declaration list all the proofs of address we can accept. 

  Please remember that if you have passes already issued to a former Spouse, Civil Partner or Partner and they have not been returned to us or expired you should complete the xx24 form and attach a picture of them cut into four showing the name and number. If you cannot return these passes, you will have to wait until the final pass has expired before you can apply for your new Spouse or Civil Partner.

• I don’t live with my Partner, although we have been together for a long time. We maintain 2 separate properties and share our time between both of them. Can I get travel facilities for my Partner?

  You can now get rail staff travel for your partner even if you do not live together. However if you are eligible for FIP facilities, this does not include the FIP card for your partner as the FIP organisation does not allow it unless you live with your partner.

  You can apply by using our Add Partner form which can be found on our  page. Complete this form online and submit to us with a copy of a completed Non-Cohabiting Partner Declaration (XX04). A passport photo should also be uploaded to our website as we are unable to issue any cards and passes without this.

  This statutory declaration that you are a couple in a meaningful relationship must be sworn before, and witnessed by, a Solicitor or other authorised body.. The form must be signed and stamped by the Solicitor or other authorised body.

  Please remember that if you have passes already issued to a former Spouse, Civil Partner or Partner and they have not been returned to us or expired you should complete the xx24 form and attach a picture of them cut into four showing the name and number. If you cannot return these passes, you will have to wait until the final pass has expired before you can apply for your new Partner.

  Children of a partner that you do not live with are not eligible for any rail staff travel facilities.

Adding a Child Dependant

• How do I apply for a child?

  In Great Britain, children up to the age of 5 can travel free of charge on the National Rail network, so do not need staff travel facilities.

  If you intend to travel with them in Europe using FIP cards or Coupons then you may need to apply for them when they are 4 as certain countries begin to charge child fares from then

  Once they need staff travel facilities, you can apply for a biological child, and also those who are adopted, step-children, fostered, under a special guardianship order, residence order or a Ward of Court.

  Check they are eligible on the Eligibily of Family Members page of the RST website.

  You can apply by using our Add Child form (xx02b). Complete this form online and submit with a scan or image of your child's full birth certificate (the one that lists parents names) or official document if they are under a special guardianship, residence order or ward of court and you should also include a current passport style photograph.

  Once your child reaches age 18, we will require an annual Child Declaration form xx05 completed by you confirming their circumstances i.e. in full time education or living at home and earning under the current weekly limit. We will require evidence of this and may ask for further details.

• Why do you need a "full" birth certificate? Isn't the one that I supplied sufficient?

  The full birth certificate shows parents names to establish a link between yourself and/or your Spouse, Civil Partner or Partner to the child. Full birth certificates can be obtained from the authority that maintains the registrations of births. In England and Wales this is through the HM Gov website, or in Scotland through the National Records Scotland website.

Change of family circumstances

• I, the employee who currently receive travel from RST, have changed my name by deed poll. How do I change their existing passes to their new name?

  You can change your passes by completing form xx25 online and attaching pictures of your passes cut into four and a copy of the official document.

• My spouse/partner/child who currently receive travel from RST, has changed their name. How do I change their existing passes to their new name?

  You can change the name on their passes by completing form xx26 online and attaching pictures of their passes cut into four and a copy of the official document.

• Me or one of my family members now identifies as another gender. How can I get cards/passes issued for them in their new name?

  RST can usually accommodate this so please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further information. Please attach any relevant documentation.

• I am separated or no longer living with my spouse or partner. What do I need to do?

  If you are separated from or no longer living with your spouse or partner, they will not be eligible for any facilities. You will need to complete form xx24 and attach pictures of their passes cut into 4.

  If you can’t return these passes, RST will be unable to issue you with any facilities for a future Spouse, Civil Partner or Partner, and any of their children, until the all passes they hold have expired. In addition, you will not be able to replace these passes with us (for the current lost passes fee) so that these may be returned.

• I am separated or no longer living with my spouse or partner. What happens to their children’s passes. What do I need to do?

  Generally, if your partner’s children are no longer living with you they are not eligible for any facilities. You will need to complete form xx24 and attach pictures of their passes cut into 4. However if they are still living with you please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any further documentation to enable us to look into this.

Staff Travel Card

• What can I use my Staff Travel Card for?

  You and your eligible family members can use your card for free and discounted leisure travel on National Rail services.

  If you date a box this can be used on the date entered and up until midnight on the following day for free travel unless the second date is beyond the validity of the card.

  If you do not have available boxes (or are not eligible for boxes), you can use the Staff Travel Card for staff discounted (priv rate) travel.

  Use of the Staff Travel Card is subject to the Endorsement(s) printed on the front of the card and published staff travel restrictions.

• What do the Endorsements mean on the Staff Travel Card?

  On the front of the Staff Travel Card there is a line that specifies the Endorsement the holder is subject to when using their card. 

  The endorsement list is as follows:

  1 Not valid on Wightlink, Tyne & Wear Metro and Caledonian MacBrayne ships.

  2 Not valid on Tyne & Wear Metro and Caledonian MacBrayne ships.

  3 Not valid on Caledonian MacBrayne ship

  5 Valid on National Rail and London Underground only. Not Eurostar

  6 Not valid on Eurostar services.

  8 Available also for First Class privilege tickets between former G.W.R. stations.

  11 Valid on National Rail only. Not Eurostar

  NIL No Endorsements apply.

• How do I use my Staff Travel Card to get free travel?

  Before commencing a free journey, you must enter the day and month of the journey in ink in the first (or next available) box. Each box is divided into two sections on the card marked as “DAY” and “MTH”. Boxes must be completed using Arabic numerals, with zero in front of single digits i.e. 7 August should be written in as "07" in the DAY box and "08" in the MTH box immediately beneath it.

  If you make a mistake, you should cross out the box and then date a new box beofre you travel.

  Staff Travel Cards are valid from 1 April of one year until 30 June of the next year. New cards will be sent out to via employers or directly to home addresses towards the end of March each year. If you wish to use occasions of free travel between 1 April and 30 June, either the old or the new card can be used (assuming there are unused boxes on the old card). Only the new card can be used after 30 June.

• My Staff Travel Card expires on 30th June. Can I date a box on this date and get travel for 1st July as well?

  You can date a box on the 30th June to use for free travel. You will not be able to use the dated box for free or priv-rate travel on 1st July.

• How do I use my Staff Travel Card for Staff Discounted (Privilege Rate) travel?

  You can use your Staff Travel Card to purchase unlimited Staff Discounted (Privilege Rate) national rail tickets. The 75% reduction can be applied to day and period walk-up Anytime and off-peak fares. Time restrictions on off-peak tickets apply.

  You cannot get Staff Discounted (Privilege Rate) on Advance Purchase tickets.

  You can also purchase privilege rate tickets which include cross London travel on London Underground services to allow you to travel between two London terminals.

  You must have a valid ticket before you start a journey.

  If you wish to travel using a Staff Discounted (Privilege Rate) ticket, you must buy that ticket from RST Online, or a ticket office before you travel. It is not possible to buy them from ticket machines.

  If the ticket office is closed and it is therefore not possible to purchase the Staff Discounted (Privilege Rate) ticket before you travel, then you must purchase it at the first available opportunity. This could be on entry to the platform, on the train, or when exiting at your destination.

  If you are travelling from a station within a Penalty Fare area then you must obtain a permit to travel at the public rate in accordance with the Penalty Fare instructions displayed at the station.

• How do I use my Staff Travel Card for travel on London Underground (LUL) or Docklands Light Railway (DLR)?

  If you have endorsement 11 then you cannot use your Staff Travel Card for any travel on LUL or DLR services.

  If you do not have endorsement 11 you can use your Staff Travel Card for travel on LUL/DLR services as below:

  • Limited free leisure travel on Inter available routes only by dating a box
  • Unlimited Privilege Rate leisure travel on all LUL/DLR services by using an Oyster card with the Priv All Rail discount on it

• How do I use my Staff Travel Card for travel on Eurostar?

  If your Staff Travel Card has endorsement 5, 6 or 11 printed on the front if it, then it is not valid for discounted travel on Eurostar.

  If your Staff Travel Card does not have endorsement 5, 6 or 11 printed on the front of it, then you may purchase reduced rate tickets for leisure use. These are cheaper than the FIP fares. More information is available at www.raildeliverygroup.com/rst/europe-and-fip.html#Eurostar

  Although Eurostar tickets can be purchased at London St Pancras on the day of travel, availability cannot be guaranteed and therefore it is advisable to obtain tickets in advance, either in person from Eurostar at St Pancras or via International Rail Ltd at www.bookmyrst.co.uk

  Reservations on Eurostar services are compulsory. Reservations can be made in Standard Premier (1st class) by holders of 1st Class Staff Travel Cards only and Standard Class by all other Staff Travel Card holders.

• Can I buy discounted tickets for my friends and family?

  No, and this would be deemed a travel irregularity. The only exception is if you have a retired Staff Travel Card and are aged 60 or over, in which case you can take up to four children aged 5-15 for a flat fare.

• My Staff Travel Card has "And an Attendant (where required)". What does my attendant need to travel?

  Cards endorsed And an Attendant (where required) allows one person to accompany the cardholder.

  Where the card holder travels on a dated box, the attendant also travels on that dated box an does not need a separate ticket to accompany the card holder.

  Where the card holder travels on a staff discounted (priv-rate) ticket, the attendant will require a separate staff discounted (priv-rate) ticket for the same journey.

  The attendant wording only provides for a card holder to be accompanied on National Rail and Open Access operator services. The provision does not extend to the services of other reciprocal carriers such as London Underground, Stena, Irish Ferries etc, that the card is valid on.

Rail Staff Leisure Card

• What can I use my Rail Staff Leisure Card for?

  You and your eligible family members who hold Rail Staff Leisure Cards can use these for discounted National Rail services for leisure travel only.

  It cannot be used to buy daily tickets to get to work or a place of education.

  The discount available is 75% of the walk-up fare. This discount applies to Anytime, and off-peak  (including Super Off Peak) fares. Time restrictions apply to off-peak tickets.

  You can also get a discount on some Rover and Ranger tickets.

  You cannot get a 75% discount on Advance Purchase tickets, as these are already heavily discounted. The agreement underwriting this non-contractual arrangement is reviewed annually by TOCs and may be withdrawn at any time.

• How do I use my Rail Staff Leisure Card for discounted travel?

  You can use your Rail Staff Leisure Card to purchase unlimited Privilege Rate Leisure national rail tickets. You must have a valid ticket before you start a journey.

  You can buy them in advance online from RST Online.

  You can also buy them from any National Rail station ticket office. If the ticket office is closed or there is no ticket office  then you must offer to pay it at the first available opportunity. This could be on entry to the platform, on the train, or when exiting at your destination. By doing so there is no question that you are trying to travel without paying. If you don’t offer to pay, then you could be accused of fare avoidance and risk a Travel Irregularity.

  If your journey starts in a Penalty Fare area, and you are not able to buy a ticket, then you must obtain the same authority to travel as a member of the public, following the instructions provided by the TOC at that station.

• How do I use my Rail Staff Leisure Card for travel on London Underground (LUL) or Docklands Light Railway (DLR)?

  The Rail Staff Leisure Card is not valid on London Underground or Dockland Light Railway services. 

  However, if you have a ticket with (+)  it means you can use the London Underground to connect with another London Terminal. However, if you wish to continue your journey by Underground you will have to purchase another ticket or use Pay as you go 

• Can I buy discounted tickets for my friends and family?

  You can buy tickets for your family members who hold a valid Rail Staff Leisure Card.

• My Rail Staff Leisure Card has "And an Attendant (where required)". What does my attendant need to travel?

  Cards endorsed And an Attendant (where required) allows one person to accompany the cardholder.

  Where a card holder travels on a staff discounted (priv-rate) ticket, the attendant will require a separate staff discounted (priv-rate) ticket for the same journey.

RST Online Leisure Card

• How can I apply for the RST Online Leisure Card?

  Network Rail will advise you on how to opt into the scheme. They will notify Rail Staff Travel once you have confirmed you would like to opt in. You must upload a passport-style photo of you before we can issue your RST Online Leisure Card.

  You must ensure you select ‘Network Rail - RST Online Leisure Card’ as the product.

  Once we have your information and photo, your rail staff travel record will be complete.

  You should receive your RST Online Leisure Card within 8 weeks of uploading your photo. We will email you once it has been posted, confirming  details of how to register for RST Online so you can buy your reduced rate tickets.

• How can I apply for the RST Online Leisure Card for family members?

  Employees can apply online at www.raildeliverygroup.com/rst/forms.html#family to add your family to your record.

  • To add a Spouse or Partner use form (XX02a). If you do not have a marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate you will also need to complete a Partner Declaration form (XX03)
  • To add a Child Dependant use form (XX02b). For any child who is aged 18 or over you will also need to complete a Child Declaration form (XX05)

  As part of applying for a family member you will need to upload a photo along with the form.

• How soon from applying will I receive my RST Online Leisure Card?

  You should receive your RST Online Leisure Card within 8 weeks of uploading your photo. We will email you once it has been posted, confirming  details of how to register for RST Online so you can buy your reduced rate tickets.

• What can I use my RST Online Leisure Card for?

  You and your eligible family members who hold RST Online Leisure Cards can use these for discounted travel on certain National Rail services for Standard class leisure travel only.

  Your RST Online Leisure Card is not valid for staff discounted (priv rate) tickets on Caledonian Sleeper, Elizabeth Line, London Overground, Grand Central, Hull Trains or Eurostar services. You must not purchase tickets from RST Online for use on these operators’ services.

  It cannot be used to buy daily tickets to get to work, or a place of education or any form of duty travel i.e. to work meetings.

• How do I use my RST Online Leisure Card for discounted travel?

  These tickets can only be purchased via your RST online account and not at the station or on the train. These can be purchased on the day or in advance.

  You must have a valid ticket before you start a journey. If not, then you could be accused of fare avoidance and risk a Travel Irregularity.

  It is not possible to buy discounted (priv rate) tickets at the Ticket Office, or from ticket machines.

• Can I use my RST Online Leisure Card for travel on London Underground (LUL) or Docklands Light Railway (DLR)?

  The RST Online Leisure Card is not valid on London Underground,  Dockland Light Railway, London Overground or Elizabeth Line services. 

• Which operators can I not use my RST Online Leisure Card on?

  You cannot purchase privilege tickets for to travel on the following operators:

  • Arriva Rail London (London Overground)
  • Caledonian Sleeper
  • Elizabeth Line
  • Docklands Light Railway
  • Glasgow Subway
  • Grand Central 
  • Hull Trains
  • London Underground
  • Tyne and Wear Metro
  • All other light rail and tramway systems in Britain

• Can I buy discounted tickets for my friends and family?

  You can only buy tickets for your family members who hold a valid RST Online Leisure Card.

  You cannot buy staff discounted (priv rate) tickets for any person who does not hold a valid Rail Staff Leisure Card. This will result in the permanent withdrawal of all travel facilities (including all family members) and risks disciplinary and / or legal action (including prosecution).

• How can I replace my lost/stolen RST Online Leisure Card?

  To request any replacement card or pass, you must submit either

  • Lost or Damaged Cards (XX35)
  • Replacement of Faulty or Stolen Cards (XX34) Via the below link www.raildeliverygroup.com/rst/forms

  You will also need to pay a replacement fee if the card is lost or damaged.

• Is there any cost to me for my RST Online Leisure Card?

  We will charge Network Rail for the cost of providing the RST Online Leisure Card to you and any eligible family members. (there is one charge regardless of the number of family members). This is a taxable benefit so any queries on this you should email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• What happens when I leave Network Rail?

  Once you leave (for any reason) you are not eligible to retain the RST Online Leisure Cards. You will need to cut yours and your family members passes into 4 and send a picture of these with the name and number showing to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• If I want to leave this scheme what should I do?

  For any queries regarding the scheme you should email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• My RST Online Leisure Card has "And an Attendant (where required)". What does my attendant need to travel?

  Cards endorsed And an Attendant (where required) allows one person to accompany the cardholder.

  Where a card holder travels on a staff discounted (priv-rate) ticket, the attendant will require a separate staff discounted (priv-rate) ticket for the same journey.

  You should purchase the additional ticket for your attendant through RST Online.

Status Pass

• I am an active employee working in the rail industry and my Status Pass has a green background design. What can I use my Status Pass for?

  Active members of staff who hold a Status Pass, can use this for residential and leisure travel.

  Gold and Silver Status Pass holders can use the pass:

  • on the National Rail Network,
  • on the inter-available London Underground/Docklands Light Railway services, and
  • on the services of additional carriers which are specified on the pass (determined when you started working and part of the industry you work for).

  Blue (Regional) Status Pass holders can only use their passes within the geographical limits that are specified on the pass.

  You cannot use any status pass for business/duty travel as part of your employment. This includes travel to meetings and travelling to different work locations.

• I am a recently retired employee. What do I need to do with my Status Pass?

  Your active Status Pass must be returned to be replaced with a retired version after you have left employment. This retired version is valid for leisure travel only.

  You will be contacted via email or letter to advise you of this. Once you have left please cut your current status pass into 4 and send us a picture of this to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the name and number showing so the retired pass can be issued.

• I am a retired employee and my Status Pass has a red background. What I can use my Status Pass for?

  Retired employees can use their Status Passes for leisure travel only.

  You cannot use a retired status pass for residential or duty travel even if you then take up further employment

• What can my Spouse / Partner use their Status Pass for?

  A Spouse or Partner who holds a Status Pass can use this for leisure travel only.

  It cannot be used for getting to and from work or for any business travel as part of their employment.

• What can my Dependant Child use their Status Pass for?

  A dependant child who holds a Status Pass can use this for leisure or educational travel only.

  It cannot be used for getting to and from work. 

• How often should I update the photo on my Status Pass?

  The photo on your Status Pass should be updated every 10 years for adults and every 5 years for child dependants

• I have a Status Pass. Why do I still receive a Staff Travel Card?

  The Staff Travel Card provides free travel on some services which do not accept Status Passes (such as London Tramlink and Windermere Lake Cruises).

  The Staff Travel Card is also required to obtain the flat fare for accompanied children when the employee is retired and aged 60 and over.

  The Staff Travel Card can also be used for discounted travel on Eurostar, and heritage and leisure railways. None of these organisations recognise the Status Pass for these discounts.

• My Status Pass is endorsed "And an Attendant (where required)". What does my attendant need to travel?

  Cards endorsed And an Attendant (where required) allows one person to accompany the cardholder.

  The attendant can travel for free to accompany the Status Pass holder.

Season Tickets

• Who can get a discounted season ticket?

  A discounted season ticket is available to Safeguarded and TOC employees:

  • For residential travel from their nearest home station to their nearest work station.
  • Children of eligible employees to travel to their place of education from their nearest home station (including term time addresses) to the nearest station to the educational establishment.
  • Retired Safeguarded Employees and their eligible children for educational travel provided documentation is shown this.
  • In exceptional circumstances a spouse/partner may be eligible for a season ticket for educational purposes. Please contact RST for more information.

• What season ticket am I eligible for?

  If you are purchasing your season ticket via RST Online, then you can purchase the following:

  • 7-day season ticket
  • Flexi Season Ticket (can only be loaded onto an RST Season Smartcard and if your starting station is outside of the Greater London Area)
  • Regular Monthly, Annual or a ticket for any duration between these dates

  If you are purchasing your season ticket from a station, then you can purchase the following:

  • Flexi Season Ticket (can only be loaded onto a TOC-issued smartcard)
  • Monthly, Annual or a ticket for any duration between these dates

  If your season ticket journey is wholly within London and only a Travelcard fare is available for this journey, then it is not possible to purchase this via RST Online as we are unable to

  retail these fares. You will need to purchase this season ticket in person from a station.

  Flexi Season Tickets are only available in Standard Class and there are no mileage discounts available for Safeguarded cardholders.

• How can I apply for a season ticket for myself?

  Eligible employees who hold an RST Online Smartcard are eligible for a Continuous Authority Season Ticket (CAST); if it is your first time applying, you will need to submit a season ticket on form xx01 www.raildeliverygroup.com/rst/forms at least 7 days in advance at www.raildeliverygroup.com/rst/forms . After this, you will then be able to purchase a season ticket via your RST Online account at any time and you would no longer need to continue submitting a form each time.

  To fulfil your season ticket to an RST season smartcard and you do not hold one please apply at www.raildeliverygroup.com/rst/forms on form xx42 when applying for your season ticket. 

  If your journey is on the Elizabeth Line then please see the FAQ below before applying.

• How can I apply for a season ticket for my child?

  Eligible employees can apply for a season ticket on form xx31 at least 7 days in advance at www.raildeliverygroup.com/rst/forms

  If their journey is on the Elizabeth Line then please see the FAQ below before applying.

• My journey is on the Elizabeth Line. How can I travel with a season ticket?

  For some journeys on the Elizabeth Line priv rate Season Tickets are not available.

  Where your residential journey starts or ends at an Elizabeth Line station between Paddington and Abbey Wood only, you have to use an Oyster Card with the priv discount set on it for commuting. The examples of this are below:

  • If travelling between an Elizabeth Line station on the west side of London where Oyster is accepted (from West Drayton and then all stations towards London), and your journey is ending at Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street, Whitechapel, Canary Wharf, Custom House, Woolwich or Abbey Wood
  • If travelling between an Elizabeth Line station on the east side of London where Oyster is accepted (from Brentwood and then all stations towards London), and your journey is ending at Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street, Whitechapel, Canary Wharf, Custom House, Woolwich or Abbey Wood

  Please note that Priv Oyster is only valid for residential travel on the Elizabeth Line section of your journey as above. If you also travel on other National Rail services as part of your commute, you must hold a valid season ticket, residential pass or TOC specific pass for that element. You cannot use your Oyster card for this journey.

  If your residential journey does not include the central core, so Slough to Paddington or Brentwood to Liverpool Street, then you must apply for a priv-rate Season Ticket in the usual way.

• Which services can I get a discounted season ticket for?

  All eligible employees can get a discounted season ticket for use on National Rail services.

  If you hold a Staff Travel Card, your season ticket can cover journeys on London Underground and Docklands Light Railway.

• Can I have more than one home station that I can travel from?

  The home station is the one that is nearest to your permanent place of residence.

  Where there are no services from your nearest station when you start or end a shift, but there are from a station reasonably near to your home, this can be considered by RST. In these circumstances, full details must be provided in the notes field when you make your application.

• I work at different locations. Can my discounted season ticket specify all of them?

  You must choose the station that is nearest to the work location you travel too most frequently.

• What is the length of time that I can get a discounted season ticket for?

  For those who hold RST Online smartcards and purchase their season tickets via RST Online, the minimum period is 7 days and the maximum period is 1 year.

  For those who purchase paper season tickets from stations, the minimum period is 1 month, the maximum period is 1 year.

  However, you can have this for any period in between these two i.e. 3 months 5 days.

  We have introduced Continuous Authority Season Tickets (CAST), so you will only need to submit a new form (giving at least 7 days’ notice) if it is the first time you are applying for a season ticket. After this, you will then be able to purchase a season ticket via your RST Online account at any time and you would no longer need to continue submitting a form each time. If you change your home address or work location and you require a change in journey for your season ticket, you would then need to submit a new form in order for us to update our records and we can then add your new season ticket to be purchased via your RST Online account.

• How do I purchase my season ticket for myself?

  If you opt to purchase your season ticket via RST Online you will receive an email advising you to login to your account to do so.

  If you wish to purchase this from the station then the approved form will be attached to the reply email. You can then take this and your photo ID card to the station and that will be sold to you.

• How do I purchase my season ticket for my child?

  Once approved the form will be attached by return email. You can then take this and their photo ID card (if applicable) to the station and that will be sold to you.

• I sent my application for a season ticket to RST a while ago. Why haven't I got my approved application?

  Your application will be processed and sent back to you within 7 days of the start date.

  If there are any queries with your application, we will email you to get further details.

• How do I apply for a refund?

  If you have purchased your season ticket via RST Online, then you will need to log into RST Online and then select ‘Your account’, then select ‘Your Bookings’. From here, it will provide you with the option to request a refund on an eligible Season Ticket/Flexi Season Ticket. Please follow the instructions provided in order to submit the refund request.

  If you have purchased your season ticket in person from a station, then please submit the Refund Form XX11 which you can find here www.raildeliverygroup.com/rst/forms.html#other

• I’ve paid for my season ticket on RST Online and received confirmation via email of this, what do I do next?

  Once you have purchased a ticket and chosen smartcard as the method of fulfilment you will need to allow at least 15 minutes for the ticket to be available for collection.
  
  You will need to download the National Rail Smartcard Manager app onto your smartphone. Open the app and click ‘Load Tickets’, then tap your smartcard onto your smartphone and this should make a ‘beep’ sound, which means that your season ticket has been loaded onto your smartphone, but is not yet activated.
  
  Please note that you will still need to activate your season ticket and this can only be done on the start date of your season ticket (i.e. the first day of travel on your season ticket).

  You will need to open the National Rail Smartcard Manager app and click ‘View and activate tickets’. Tap your smartcard onto your smartphone and this should then make a ‘beep’ sound which means that your season ticket has been activated and is ready for use at station barriers.

  It is important that your season ticket has been loaded and activated onto your smartcard via the National Rail Smartcard Manager app. If this has not been done, then it is considered the same as travelling without a valid ticket and may lead to a travel irregularity.

Residential Pass

• Who can get a Residential Pass?

  Residential Passes are only available to Active Safeguarded Employees and BTP employees who meet the eligible criteria.

  It is not available to Non-Safeguarded Employees, Retired Safeguarded Employees and family members.

  You can only get a Residential Pass if the distance between your nearest home station to nearest work station is less than the mileage allowances you are eligible for.

  If your residential journey exceeds the mileage limit you will not be issued a residential pass, we will approve a form for you to purchase a Privilege Season Ticket  which includes a reduction for the free travel element.

  You do not need a Residential Pass if you work for a TOC and you have a Card issued by them that covers your journey or a reciprocal travel arrangement with another TOC.

• How can I apply for a residential pass?

  Eligible employees can apply for a residential pass on form xx01 at least 7 days in advance at www.raildeliverygroup.com/rst/forms.html

  Please ensure you upload a passport photograph to our website https://www.raildeliverygroup.com/rst/forms.html#uploadphoto as we are unable to issue this pass without a photograph.

• What can I use my Residential Pass for?

  The Residential Pass is for travel to work between the stations printed on the front.

  It will operate the barriers on the locations stated on the pass and may be used at intermediate stations along the route but may not operate the barriers at these locations.

  You can also use it for leisure travel on the route specified unless it states otherwise.

• Can I have more than 1 home station that I can travel from?

  The home station is the one that is nearest to your permanent place of residence.

  Where there are no services from your nearest station when you start or end a shift, but there are from a station reasonably near to your home, this can be considered by RST. In these circumstances, full details must be provided in the notes field when you make your application.

• I work at different locations. Can my Residential Pass specify all of them?

  You must choose the station that is nearest to the work location you travel too most frequently.

International Reduced Rate Card - FIP Card

• What is an FIP Card (International Reduced Rate Card)?

  The FIP Card is a product that allows a discount on full public adult fares on many rail and shipping carriers in Europe.

• When can I get an FIP Card?

  Eligible Active Staff who receive national, leisure and residential travel can apply for this after 1-year continuous service for them and their dependants.

  If when you retired, you did not complete 11 years’ service you would not be eligible for the FIP Card.

• I am a Safeguarded member of Staff and have just retired. What happens to my FIP Card for Active Staff?

  You can keep your Active FIP cards for six months from your retirement date. After that they must be returned to exchange for the retired versions.. They can be cut into 4 and a picture of these sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• What is the difference between an FIP Card for Active Staff and an FIP Card for Retired Staff?

  Both active and retired FIP Cards give 50% discount across the FIP members. Active Staff receive 75% for the following FIP Members:

  • SNCB (Belgium)
  • SNCF (France)

  Both Active and Retired receive 75% off the following FIP members:

  • CIE (Ireland)
  • NIR (Northern Ireland)

• FIP Cards for Children

  A FIP Card issued to a child gives them a discount on the adult fare not on the public child fare.

  The ages at which the public child fare is available vary from country to country. This information is available in the Travel Tips for Europe Guide. 

  RST will issue children FIP cards from the age of 4.

International Travel

• When am I eligible for FIP cards and International Coupons?

  Eligible Active Staff can apply for coupons and FIP cards after 1-year continuous service for them and their eligible dependants.
   
  Retired Safeguarded Staff who are eligible must have completed a minimum of 11 years of continuous service at the date of retirement to receive coupons.

  Non-cohabiting partners are not eligible for any FIP discounted or free travel.

• What travel benefits does the FIP Coupon give me?

  FIP Coupons replace the need for a basic ticket. Please read the FIP Coupons section of the Travel Tips for Europe guide for the full information.

  FIP coupons allow a limited amount of free travel. Each coupon has four date boxes, and the coupon holder enters the date of travel into one of the date boxes. Free travel is then available on that date, and the next day up to 23.59hrs.

  However, some long-distance and high-speed trains may require you to pay a supplement and make a reservation. To understand whether supplements or mandatory reservations are required, please check the relevant country page in the Travel Tips for Europe guide.

• How do I apply for a FIP card

  Please complete the FIP Card Request xx09a form and the card will be issued for you and all eligible family members

• How do I apply for International Coupons?

  Please complete the International Coupon Applications - Employee and Family Members or xx09c form.
   
  If you do not hold a FIP card, then this will be issued at the same time.  You do not need to complete another form for this.
   
  If you large number of coupons, you will need to email us an itinerary before the coupons can be issued.

• Which coupons are my family and I eligible for?

  Please go to our Travel Tips for Europe guide and this will show which coupons you and your family are eligible for. The information is in the following sections:

  • Facilities for Active Staff 
  • Facilities for Retired Staff (safeguarded only)

  The levels of travel between FIP members does vary.

• How much notice do I need to apply for International Coupons?

  We need to receive your application a minimum of 3 weeks before your travel date if you complete the online form. Postal applications need to be sent 3 weeks in advance. This is to allow us to issue and print the Coupons and despatch them in time for your indicated travel date

• When will I receive my Coupons once I have sent in my application?

  Coupons are issued and sent out approximately 2 weeks before the outward travel date on your form. You will receive an email response once these are sent out. One of the reasons for this is that under the FIP Regulations we are unable to replace Coupons that are lost, stolen or damaged.

• Can I get privilege rate travel on Eurostar?

  Yes, there are FIP discounted fares available if you hold a current FIP Card.
   
  If you are safeguarded and hold a Staff Travel Card (without endorsements 5,6,11) there are special fares available.
   
  The Eurostar FIP and safeguarded fares and how to book are in documents on the Europe and FIP page of this website.
  
  

• Can I get privilege travel on Eurotunnel (Le Shuttle)?

  There is no arrangement with LeShuttle for an exchange of staff travel so there are no discounts available with any staff travel facilities for taking a car on Eurotunnel.

• How long is an International Coupon valid for?

  Each International Coupon is issued for 3 months. However, if the coupon start date is any date in December it will expire on the 31st March the following year.

• How long does each box on the Coupon enable me to travel for?

  Each date written into a box on the International Coupon will permit free travel on that day, together with free travel up to midnight on the following day.

  The date in each box must be entered as DD/MM/YY with leading zeros for single digit dates e.g. 7 August 2026 is entered as 07/08/26. Entering 07/08/26 will allow free travel on 7th and 8th August.

• I am a Safeguarded Employee who has just retired and will keep my Staff Travel Card. How is my International Travel affected?

  On retirement there are two further opportunities to obtain FIP coupons available to an active employee.

  • You can apply for any coupons not already issued from your last annual allocation as long as the outward travel date is within 9 months of your retirement date. RST needs 3 weeks' notice for any application. Each coupon issued must be used within 3 months.
  • You can apply for one additional free coupon on each FIP carrier (which was a member whilst you were an active employee) as long as the outward travel date is within 45 months of your retirement date. RST needs 3 weeks' notice for any application. Each coupon issued must be used within 3 months. (Please note that where an Active allocation allows 2 Coupons, then the 45 month allocation will only provide 1 Coupon.)

  These are available in addition to your Retired allocation.
   
  The outward date of travel has to be before the end dates of your 9- and 45-month date end to get coupons from these quotas. If you are unsure regarding these dates or the quota remaining, please email RST who can advise.
   
  The same allocations apply to your dependants although it is restricted to those carriers who grant free coupons to Spouse/Partners and dependent children

• Can I get travel for in other countries that are not members of the FIP?

  If you are Safeguarded staff, you may be eligible for travel in other countries. You will need to go to the Staff Travel Guide for holders of the Staff Travel Card to check available countries and complete the xx09d form at least 6 weeks in advance.

Booking International Travel using your issued facilities

• How do I book Stena Line from Harwich to the Hook of Holland?

  Please refer to the Stena Line BV Hoek van Holland - Harwich - StL section of the Travel Tips for Europe guide.

• How do I book FIP fares on Eurostar Blue?

  Eurostar Blue operate services to and from London St Pancras.

  We recommend you book Eurostar Blue in advance. Discounted fares are quota controlled and can sell out many weeks ahead of busy periods, such as the weekends before Christmas. 

  The details of the Eurostar fares are on our Europe and FIP page. 

  These can be done in person at London St Pancras from staff at the Eurostar ticket office.  You will need to present FIP cards for all family members you wish to book for.

  Alternatively you can book through International Rail by either emailing them at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit their website www.bookmyrst.co.ukYou must make your booking at least three weeks before you intend to travel.

• How do I book safeguarded fares on Eurostar Blue?

  Eurostar Blue operate services to and from London St Pancras.

  We recommend you book Eurostar Blue in advance. Discounted fares are quota controlled and can sell out many weeks ahead of busy periods, such as the weekends before Christmas. 

  The details of the Eurostar fares are on our Europe and FIP page. 

  These can be done in person at London St Pancras from staff at the Eurostar ticket office.  You will need to present Staff Travel Cards for all family members you wish to book for.

  Alternatively you can book through International Rail by either emailing them at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit their website www.bookmyrst.co.ukYou must make your booking at least three weeks before you intend to travel.

• How do I book international travel for Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Netherland, Poland, Slovakia, Spain or Switzerland?

  RST have an agreement with International Rail to make European bookings to those with rail staff travel facilities.

  They can help you with booking travel in the following countries:

  • Austria
  • Belgium (including Netherlands crossborder services)
  • Croatia (international trains to and from Croatia only, not domestic)
  • Czech Republic.
  • Denmark
  • Germany
  • Hungary
  • Italy
  • Netherlands
  • Poland (domestic day trains only, not sleeper services)
  • Slovakia
  • Spain (plus Vigo to Porto)
  • Switzerland

  They can also help with FIP tickets on Eurostar and Thalys services.

  To book, email them at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit the website www.bookmyrst.co.uk

  You must make your booking at least three weeks before you intend to travel.

  All queries will be responded to but please note that International Rail will always prioritise enquiries with the closest travel dates, so if your enquiry is for travel in several weeks’ time, you may need to wait up to 7 business days before you hear back from them.

• How do I book journeys within France on SNCF

  Domestic journeys within France on SNCF services can now only be booked directly with SNCF.

  The details of how to contact SNCF are in the pages on France in the Travel Tips for Europe guide.

  The SNCF contact centre team in Paris speak English. 

• Are there alternative agents that I can use for booking international travel?

  Some Travel Agents in Britain are able to retail FIP products. These are:

  • Ffestiniog Travel - 01766 515630
  • RailTourGuide - online only from 1 March 2026 at www.railtourguide.com/rail-staff-travel-eurostar (Eurostar Blue and Eurostar Red only) (please attach images of your FIP cards to prove eligibility. RailTourGuide can also retail the safeguarded fares for Eurostar, please attach images of your Staff Travel Card).
  • Trainseurope - 0135 470 5098 or 0135 466 0222 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (please enclose images of your FIP cards to prove eligibility. Trainseurope can also retail the safeguarded fares for Eurostar, please enclose images of your Staff Travel Card).

  Booking FIP products in Travel Agents' international retailing systems is much more complex than booking public rate tickets. European railways have different booking thresholds and quotas for FIP products and can change these thresholds and quotas without prior notice to Travel Agents. Booking itineraries to cover more than one railway company is difficult.

  Travel Agents will do their best to accommodate your booking enquiry, but they reserve the right to refuse to deal with rude and abusive employees, and those making speculative enquiries.

  Where incidents of employee rudeness or abusive behaviour to Travel Agents are reported to Rail Staff Travel, it will be referred to the employer to consider disciplinary action.

TOC Specific Travel

Photo ID Cards

• Do I need a Photo ID Card to support my staff travel facilities?

  The following holders of staff travel facilities are required to carry a valid Photo ID Card when travelling:

  Until March 2026

  • an active member of staff who has a Staff Travel Card or a season ticket, and does not have a TOC specific pass that has their photo on it
  • the Spouse, Partner, or dependant child over 16 of an active member of staff using a Staff Travel Card or season ticket who does not have a TOC specific pass that has their photo on it

  From April 2026

  • an active member of staff who has a Staff Travel Card
  • an active member of staff who has a season ticket, and does not have a TOC specific pass that has their photo on it
  • the Spouse, Partner, or dependant child of an active member of staff using a Staff Travel Card 
  • the Spouse, Partner, or dependant child of an active member of staff using a season ticket who does not have a TOC specific pass that has their photo on it

  Generally retired employees and their eligible family members do not need a Photo ID Card unless one is needed to accompany a TOC or group specific card.

• Where can I get a new or replacement Photo ID Card?

  A Photo ID Card can be obtained free of charge from RST. Please e-mail us with your request.

Lost/Stolen Cards and Replacements

• I have lost my card/pass. How do I get a replacement?

  You will need to complete a Replacement Form (see forms) before we can replace any cards / passes. This should be submitted online.

  If you need to pay for a replacement, we will enable the payment to be made through RST Online. You must pay the fee within one month of submitting the form or you will need to re-submit the form.

  There is a replacement fee of £15.00 per card that has been lost.

• My card/pass has been stolen. How do I get a replacement?

  You will need to complete a Replacement Form (see forms) before we can replace any cards / passes.

  As the cards have been stolen, then you will need to provide the crime reference number on the form.

  If the crime reference number is verified then the replacement cards and passes will be reissued free of charge.

• My card/pass is damaged or defaced. How do I get a replacement?

  You will need to complete a Replacement Form (see forms) before we can replace any cards / passes. This should then be submitted online.

  A damaged or defaced card is chargeable as a replacement, if you need to pay for a replacement, we will enable the payment to be made through RST Online. You must pay payment within one month of submitting the form or you will need to re-submit the form.

  There is a replacement fee of £15.00 per card that has been damaged/defaced.

• My SmartCard that used to operate the gates has stopped working. How do I get a replacement?

  You will need to check with the station barrier staff that the SmartCard is actually faulty (i.e. it could be the gates that are faulty instead). If they agree that it is the SmartCard that is faulty, you will need to submit a Replacement form (see forms) online.

  You should take a photo of both sides of the card, and attach an image when submitting the form. IIf we view the photo and it is believed the card is damaged you may be contacted to pay a replacement fee before a new card is issued.

  Once the replacement Smartcard has been received, you will need to cut the faulty card into four with the card number visible, and send an image to RST. If you fail to do this it may impact on you receiving new cards and passes.

• I have not received my new card/pass even though my last one has expired. What do I do?

  If you have not received a card for either yourself or any eligible family members, then you need to let us know. Please e-mail us and include your full address and details of which cards you have and have not received.

  If you have moved address and not let us know, you will need to pay for replacements if you are unable to retrieve them from your old address.

  If we have sent the cards to the correct address and they are lost in the post, the following rules apply:

  • If you report non-delivery of the replacement card within 1 month of the expiry of the old card, we will issue a replacement for free.
  • If you report non-delivery of the replacement card more than 1 month after the expiry of the old card, a replacement fee will apply.

  Non-delivery of cards must be reported by written confirmation from you by e-mail or Royal Mail. 

• How can I pay for a replacement card?

  You can pay through RST Online using a Visa or Mastercard credit or debit card. We do not accept American Express. 

  You must pay payment within one month of submitting the form or you will need to re-submit the form.

• Why is there a charge for a replacement card?

  The replacement fees for lost cards are written into the rules, terms and conditions of all products (except international Coupons which cannot be replaced if lost under FIP rules).

  These have been agreed by all TOCs, Employers and the DfT. They are to cover the administration costs involved in reissuing travel facilities.

• You have replaced my lost Staff Travel Card recently. Why are some boxes crossed through?

  When replacing a lost Staff Travel card, we use a calculation to determine the number of boxes on the replacement card. This is based upon the month that the replacement was first notified to us (assuming payment is made within a reasonable period from this date).

  A pro-rata calculation is the fairest means of defining the number of boxes that might remain on the card.

Reservations

Transport for London

• I am a Non-Safeguarded member of Staff. Can I get the 75% Privilege Discount set on an Oyster Card?

  Yes, you can get a discount set on an oyster card, but this is for leisure travel on National Rail services only. This includes the Elizabeth Line and London Overground services.

• I am a Safeguarded member of Staff. Can I get the 75% Privilege Discount set on an Oyster Card?

  You and your eligible Dependants can get a discount on an Oyster Card if your Staff Travel Card does not have endorsement 11 on it.

  You need to have a standard Oyster card and register it with TfL. Once you have this complete the TfL Privilege Oyster Application form (see forms). Once authorised by RST, take the form together with your Staff Travel Card and Oyster card to a London Underground station, where a member of staff in the booking hall can set the Privilege rate discount on your Oyster card. You will need to ask the TfL staff to set the ‘Priv All Rail’ discount for staff and child dependants and ‘Priv All Rail N’ discount for spouses/partners.

  The discount expiry date will match that on your Staff Travel Card. When you get a new Staff Travel Card you will need to update the Privilege discount on your Oyster card. Just take your new Staff Travel Card to a LU station and ask staff to update the ‘Priv All Rail’ discount. You do not need to contact Rail Staff Travel each year.

  If you don’t update the discount each year, once the discount expires, you will be charged the full pay as you go fare instead of the Privilege rate fare

  Remember to carry your Staff Travel Card with you when using the Privilege Oyster card, as proof of entitlement.

• How do I contact TfL if I have a query with the Oyster Card?

  You can contact them by:

  • Using the online feedback form and following the links
  • Phone on 0343 222 1234
  • Writing to TfL Customer Services, 14 Pier Walk, London SE10 0ES

RST Online

• What is Rail Staff Travel (RST) Online?

  RST Online is a new website which allows eligible active and retired rail employees and their eligible family members to plan a journey, buy priv discounted train tickets online and make seat reservations for journeys across the National Rail network.

  www.railstafftravel.com

  Full price tickets can also be purchased if you are travelling with people who are not in receipt of rail staff travel facilities.

  Employees/retired employees who are eligible for free travel  can also use it to make seat reservations.

  It can also be used for making payments for replacement cards/passes.

  Read more

• I’m new to my job. When will you send my login details for the website?

  We will send you a unique one-time passcode via email once we have received your details from your employer and issued your rail staff travel facilities. Please check your Junk and Spam folder in case you can't see it in your Inbox.

  This passcode (which you should copy and paste into the relevant box) will allow you to complete registration on the website and create an account with an email and a password of your choice.

  Please avoid using first names or surnames as part of the password as this will prevent you from registering.  Passwords will need to be a minimum of 8 characters long. They should contain a mix of upper and lower case letters, include at least 1 number and 1 special character (such as ! or $), but  please avoid using space £#

• Can I book tickets for eligible family members (dependents) at a discounted rate via RST Online?

  Yes, as long as the family members receive rail staff travel facilities through you, then you can use RST Online to book priv rate travel for them.

• Can eligible family members (dependents) have their own login details and online accounts?

  Yes, an employee can request that family members who receive rail staff travel facilities through them  are setup with their own online account.

  You can find form XX40 - Request Access for Family Members on the RST Forms page to request a separate RST Online account.

• Why is the Season tickets tab greyed out? Can I book my season ticket and/or flexi season ticket via RST Online?

  The season or flexi season ticket must first be authorised by Rail Staff Travel as per the existing process.

  You can find the relevant form on the RST Forms page

• Can I add my train ticket(s) purchased on RST Online to my existing Smartcard?

  No, you will not be able to add a ticket purchased from RST Online to an existing Smartcard.  However once we can offer Season Tickets online you will be able to add your priv discount Season Ticket to an RST Season Smartcard.

• Can I buy public rate leisure tickets on RST Online at the same time as buying my priv ticket?

  Yes, you can also buy leisure rail tickets (singles/returns) at the public rate on RST Online while buying your priv rate ticket(s).

• Does RST Online have a journey planning function?

  Yes, you can use RST Online to plan your journey and book tickets with reservations (where available). 

• Can I request passenger assistance through RST Online?

  No, you would need to request this separately via Passenger Assist. This can be done via phone, an app or email. You can find more details at http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/passengerassist 

• What payment options are available?

  You can pay using Visa, Mastercard and Maestro.

• Can I purchase sleeper train tickets on RST Online?

  Yes, sleeper bookings are available to purchase on RST Online.

• Can I use RST Online to make a reservation only booking on rail services, including sleepers, if I am a safeguarded RST user who does not pay for travel?

  Yes you can. Currently reservation only bookings are not available in mobile view so you must use the desktop version of RST Online.  

  Please remember to cancel any reservation only bookings that you are not going to use.

• Can I add my purchased e-ticket to my Apple or Google wallet?

  This will not be possible for tickets purchased on RST Online.

• Do I have to use the email address RST has on record for me as my user login for the website?

  No, you will receive a unique one-time passcode which allows you to register with a different email address if you wish.

  Please note that updates about tickets bought via RST Online will be sent to the email address you have registered with RST Online.

• Where can I book travel to?

  Priv discounts are available across the National Rail network in Great Britain. This does not include Eurostar or international travel.

  Also, through journeys to and from the Isle of Wight cannot be booked as a single ticket, as there is no priv discount on Wightlink.

• Can I still book my ticket at the ticket office?

  Unless you hold the RST Online Leisure Card (which can only be used online), you can still purchase your priv tickets at the station. RST Online is an additional option for those holding the Staff Travel Card or Rail Staff Leisure Card. 

• Will I be able to collect my ticket from the station if I book online?

  Yes, you can do this via ticket machines at the station (where available).

• Can I select to have my tickets booked on RST Online as an e-ticket?

  Yes, you can get leisure tickets sent to your email address as an e-ticket, for routes and TOCs which accept them.

  If your ticket includes the Cross London marker, then it will not be available as an e-Ticket.

• Can I reserve a bike space on RST Online?

  Yes, RST Online will provide the option to reserve a bike space where it is available at the station during the ticket purchase process.

• If my service is delayed or cancelled, how do I claim Delay Repay?

  You should submit your claim to the Train Operating Company which operated the delayed or cancelled service. Their website will give details of how you can submit your claim.

• How do I get help if I have an issue with RST Online?

  For RST Online Enquiries, please contact:

  • Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Phone: 0330 123 3872

  If your enquiry is about rail staff travel policy, replacement travel passes or privileged season ticket approvals, please visit RST Contact details

RST Online Refunds

• Can I get a refund for an unused ticket via the website?

  If your ticket is eligible for a refund, you can request one by selecting the My Account option, then select Your Bookings, then click on View against the ticket booking you wish to refund. You will see a list of the possible options in the drop-down against 'I would like to'.

  To check if your ticket is eligible for a refund, please see the National Rail Conditions of Travel.

• How do I apply for a refund?

  If you decide not to use your ticket then you can apply for a refund through RST Online by logging into your account or by calling us on 03301233872.

  When you log into RST Online, click on “Your Account”, or “Your Bookings”, then find the ticket/booking you wish to refund, click “View”, and select “I would like to Refund Journey” from the drop down list, then “Go”. Then follow the instructions on the screen.

  You are required to submit your refund within 28 days of your ticket expiry date. Failing to do so will mean your refund request will be rejected and funds will not be returned.

  If you have to send your tickets back to us, we advise you to do so via a guaranteed delivery service, such as Royal Mail Special Delivery or Recorded Delivery, as we cannot be held liable for any tickets lost in transit to us. We regret that the postage and packaging costs cannot be refunded. Please send your tickets to:

  Refund Administrator RST Online
  Web Support
  PO Box 6136
  Wolverhampton
  WV1 9RL

  From receipt it will take up to 28 working days to process your refund and it may take a further 5 days for any credit to appear on your statement.

  The amount of refund that you are due will depend on the ticket purchased and the terms and conditions of that ticket.

  We charge an administration fee of £10 per booking.

• How to claim a full refund due to a disrupted/cancelled service?

  If your train is delayed or cancelled and you choose not to travel, your unused ticket can be refunded without any fees.

  To be eligible for a refund due to a disruption or cancellation you are required to collect written confirmation from the train company that operated your particular service at the time of the disruption/cancellation. It is your responsibility to first contact the train company to request written confirmation.

  Once you have received written confirmation from the train company, log into “Your Account” or “Your Bookings”, find the ticket/booking you wish to refund, click “View”, and select “I would like to Refund Journey” from the drop down list, then “Go”. From the “Reason for Refund” drop down, select “Service disruptions & cancellations”. Then follow the instructions on the screen. You will have to submit the written confirmation from the train company along with the tickets.

  You have 28 days after the ticket expiry date to provide us with your tickets and confirmation to be eligible for a refund.

   If you are seeking a refund for a disrupted or cancelled service and the ticket you wish to refund was purchased for less than £10 you will not be able to submit it online, instead please call our customer service team on 0330 1233 872.

• After what period of time can I claim a refund?

  Refunds must be claimed within 28 days of the ticket’s expiry date. The expiry date depends on the terms and conditions of the ticket you have purchased. To check the terms and conditions of your ticket, log into “Your Account”, click on the booking for which you require a refund, then select “I would like to View Full Details” from the drop down. The conditions relating to the tickets will be displayed by clicking on “Terms & Conditions”.

• Can I cancel tickets before I receive or collect them?

  If you selected postal delivery, you can cancel your tickets in RST Online before you receive them. You will be asked to return the tickets once you have received them. Your refund will not be processed until we are in receipt of the tickets.

  If you selected the self-service ticket machine and have not collected your tickets, you can apply for a refund in RST Online without having to collect the tickets, if you wish to refund the complete booking. The money will be transferred back into your account automatically. If you only wish to refund some of the tickets in your booking, you will have to collect the ticket from the self-service ticket machine first

• Will I get a confirmation email to inform me that my refund has been completed?

  Once your refund has been processed we will send you an email to confirm the amount credited to your bank account. NB: From receipt of the confirmation email, it may take a further 5 days for this credit to appear on your statement.

• How long will it take for my refund to be processed?

  We process all refund requests within 28 days from either receipt of your tickets (for tickets posted), or from submitting your refund claim online (for tickets collected at the station). Once a refund has been processed it can take a further 5 days for the credit to appear on your statement. If your card statement is due within the next few days you may not see the credit until the following month’s statement. In this case you can check whether the money has been credited to your account by contacting your card issuer

• Can I claim a refund on the excess payment I have had to make because I forgot to carry my Staff Travel Facilities?

  No. The Staff Travel scheme Conditions of Issue and Use require you to carry your Rail Staff Leisure Card or Staff Travel Card if travelling with a staff discounted ticket. If you do not have the Rail Staff Leisure Card or Staff Travel Card  with you at the time your ticket is inspected you will be liable to pay the difference between the price paid for your ticket and the full non-discounted fare. You will not be entitled to a refund of this charge even if you can provide a copy of the Rail Staff Leisure Card or Staff Travel Card  at a later date.

• My tickets haven’t arrived in the post, can I have a refund?

  If your tickets haven’t arrived in the post, please call our customer service team on 03301 233 872.

• Why has my refund been declined?

  We'll let you know by email the reason we have rejected your refund, however this is usually because your ticket has been stamped as used, or because you've scanned your eticket

• Can I claim compensation for delays to my train services?

  If you are travelling and experience a delay arriving to your destination due to a cancelled or delayed service, you may be able to claim compensation from the train company you are travelling with.

  Compensation will depend on:

  • Which train company you are travelling/have travelled with
  • Type of ticket you have
  • Length of the delay in arriving at your destination

  Please contact the train company that operated the service. For more information on compensation, go direct to the train company’s website.

• What should I do if I think I have been doubled charged?

  If you appear to have been charged twice for one set of tickets please call Web Support on 03301 233 872.

Attendant Requests

• I can no longer travel on my own so can no longer use my rail staff travel. Is there anything you can do?

  Yes, but only if you meet the criteria for a Disabled Persons’ Railcard. If you do, we can add ‘and attendant’ to your national rail staff travel card/pass so someone can travel with you at the same rate.

  If you do not meet the eligibility criteria for a Disabled Person’s Railcard then we cannot help.

• What is the eligibility criteria for ‘attendant wording’?

  To be eligible to add ‘attendant wording’ to your national rail staff travel card/pass you must meet the eligibility criteria for a Disabled Person’s Railcard.

  If you are disabled or have a progressive medical condition you are eligible for the Disabled Persons Railcard if you:

  • receive Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Adult Disability Payment (ADP)
  • receive Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Child Disability Payment (CDP) at either:
  • the higher or lower rate for the mobility component, or
  • the higher or middle rate for the care component
  • have a visual impairment
  • have a hearing impairment
  • have epilepsy
  • receive Attendance Allowance, Severe Disablement Allowance or Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP)
  • receive War Pensioner's Mobility Supplement
  • receive War or Service Disablement Pension for 80% or more disability
  • buy or lease a vehicle through the Motability scheme

• How do I apply to have ‘attendant wording’ added to my national rail staff travel card/pass?

  You need to complete the Attendant Request form  (XX45) online (see forms) ensuring you attach the relevant documentation to support your request.

• What options do I have if I am not eligible for attendant wording but cannot travel alone?

  The eligibility criteria is determined by the scheme rules. If there are changes to the eligibility of the Disabled Persons Railcard in the future then this may mean that you could become eligible in the future.