TORG are pleased to announce this week's Wednesday lunchtime seminar:
" Fares and Ticketing on Britain's Railways "
Speaker: Alex Nelson, Director and Stationmaster of Chester-le-Track
Location: Cassie 2.32
Time/Date: 24th October 2012, 13:00 - 15:00
Alex Nelson FRGS FCILT is a Londoner who graduated in 1983 with a degree in Geography from University College Durham. He was recruited as a graduate trainee by the National Bus Company and worked in operational management in the bus industry in the Tyneside area with what is now the Go-Ahead Group until 1994. He obtained an MBA from Newcastle University Business School in 1992, and later moved into self-employment first in group travel and from 1999 in railways. He has been stationmaster of Chester-le-Street railway station for 13 years, and re-opened the ticket office at Eaglescliffe, between Yarm and Stockton, in 2012. Chester-le-Track Ltd operates a major national website called nationalrail.com selling tickets and providing information. The two stations together employ ten members of staff, including three apprentices.
Synopsis
One of the few entrepreneurs on the railway, Alex specialises in finding and promoting fares anomalies, and selling such tickets to the public. His Friendly Guide to Rail Ticketing is now in its 7th edition, although he tries to avoid it being a list of loopholes to be plugged. Alex also pioneered the selling in the north east of the popular London Oyster card, and holds a season ticket on the Isle of Wight to gain discounts across south east England. He will tell the tale of establishing his first independent station, and the story of the new station at Eaglescliffe, and explain how revenue is allocated on the railway. He will also demonstrate (subject to internet access) his popular website www.nationalrail.com which has been the subject of various attempts by the big railway companies to wrestle it from him. Do you understand rail fares? Remember, if you're not confused, you don't understand the situation.
Seminar Location:
Please join us on Wednesday 24/10/2012 between 13:00-15:00 in Room 2.32, Cassie Building, Claremont Road, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU.
The Cassie Building is building number 49 on the Campus Map <http://www.ncl.ac.uk/about/visit/printablemaps/map-campus.htm> and is about a 5-10 minute walk from Haymarket metro/bus interchange or Jesmond metro station, both of which are easily accessible from Newcastle Central station or Newcastle International Airport. Car parking in and around the University campus is limited, but Park and Ride options are available from seven metro stations within Newcastle - please see the Nexus website Metro Map <http://www.nexus.org.uk/sites/nexus.org.uk/files/images/metro/Metro_Map_3rd_A4.jpg> for more details.
Further information:
The TORG seminars are intended to disseminate ongoing research and encourage detailed discussions of a diverse range of transport topics in an informal environment - for further information on a specific seminar, please contact Dr. Dilum Dissanayake <mailto:[log in to unmask]>. The TORG seminars are part of a wider programme within the School of Civil Engineering and Geosciences all of which are free of charge and open for external guests to attend. Please let Miss Emma Simblett <mailto:[log in to unmask]> know if you wish to attend a TORG seminar to allow names of external guests to be noted. After the seminar, and where suitable content is available, we try to make the presentations available online, subject to our presenters giving their permission for us to do so.
We look forward to seeing you.
Dr D Dissanayake
Lecturer in Transport Modelling
Cassie 2.19
School of Civil Engineering and Geosciences
Newcastle University
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE1 7RU
Tel: 01912225718
Fax: 01912226502
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