 | | | 
28.02.2011, 18:07
|  | Member | | Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Nyon
Posts: 150
Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts
Thanked 109 Times in 45 Posts
| | Felt ripped off - no reduction on a monthly pass despite having a Halbtax card
I'm feeling a little ripped off today. To get to work in Geneva, I need to get on a bus from Founex to either Coppet or Nyon, and then get the train to Genf. So, about a month ago, when we first moved, I got a monthly pass through SBB so I wouldn't have to keep buying a ticket. I didn't have a Half Card, so I paid CHF189.
Late last week it ran out, so today I went to get a new one, and presented my shiny, (relatively) new Half Card. I still paid CHF189. I don't get it. I did ask why, but of course, trying to practice my French I got a response back in French, which I didn't understand a word of.
Might have to go back tomorrow and ask why in English.  Unless anyone here can shed light on possible reasons why and save me the embarrassment?
| 
28.02.2011, 18:10
|  | Forum Veteran | | Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: geneva
Posts: 1,476
Groaned at 29 Times in 16 Posts
Thanked 1,508 Times in 695 Posts
| | Re: I was conned! | Quote: | |  | | | I'm feeling a little ripped off today. To get to work in Geneva, I need to get on a bus from Founex to either Coppet or Nyon, and then get the train to Genf. So, about a month ago, when we first moved, I got a monthly pass though SBB so I wouldn't have to keep buying a ticket. I didn't have a Half Card, so I paid CHF189.
Late last week it ran out, so today I went to get a new one, and presented my shiny, (relatively) new Half Card. I still paid CHF189. I don't get it. I did ask why, but of course, trying to practice my French I got a response back in French, which I didn't understand a word of.
Might have to go back tomorrow and ask why in English. Unless anyone here can shed light on possible reasons why and save me the embarrassment? | | | | | I dont know for sure but is the half card for half priced travel outside of peak hours - peak hours - heures de pointe - off peak hours - heures creuses. hope it helps
| This user would like to thank grumpygit for this useful post: | | 
28.02.2011, 18:11
|  | Forum Legend | | Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Top of a Triangle
Posts: 2,992
Groaned at 38 Times in 29 Posts
Thanked 5,673 Times in 2,039 Posts
| | Re: I was conned! | Quote: | |  | | | I'm feeling a little ripped off today. To get to work in Geneva, I need to get on a bus from Founex to either Coppet or Nyon, and then get the train to Genf. So, about a month ago, when we first moved, I got a monthly pass though SBB so I wouldn't have to keep buying a ticket. I didn't have a Half Card, so I paid CHF189.
Late last week it ran out, so today I went to get a new one, and presented my shiny, (relatively) new Half Card. I still paid CHF189. I don't get it. I did ask why, but of course, trying to practice my French I got a response back in French, which I didn't understand a word of.
Might have to go back tomorrow and ask why in English. Unless anyone here can shed light on possible reasons why and save me the embarrassment? | | | | | Nope.... never heard of this.
However, hopefully you still have the ticket.
Take the ticket and your half tax card to a main train station and there will be some sort of accounts section you can approach.
They will refund the difference.
I had to do this while I waited for my half tax card to arrive the first time I got one. There was no questions asked, they just handed over cash for the eliglbe receipts.
| The following 2 users would like to thank TidakApa for this useful post: | | 
28.02.2011, 18:13
|  | Forum Legend | | Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Lugano
Posts: 33,131
Groaned at 2,736 Times in 1,931 Posts
Thanked 40,399 Times in 19,047 Posts
| | Re: I was conned!
I don't think that the 1/2 price card works with passes, just tickets.
Tom
| The following 5 users would like to thank st2lemans for this useful post: | | 
28.02.2011, 18:16
|  | Forum Legend | | Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Quaint Wädenswil, Zürich, CH
Posts: 8,131
Groaned at 27 Times in 20 Posts
Thanked 7,036 Times in 3,912 Posts
| | Re: I was conned!
I was about to say the same thing, for ZH, we have the ZVV pass, but the Halbtax card does not reduce it any further. The HT card is good for going out of the zonal coverage of your pass, mainly at 1/2 price.
| This user would like to thank jrspet for this useful post: | | 
28.02.2011, 18:16
| | Re: I was conned! | Quote: | |  | | | I don't think that the 1/2 price card works with passes, just tickets.
Tom | | | | | ditto, echo.
1/2 price card does not apply to monthly passes.
| 
28.02.2011, 18:20
|  | Forum Legend | | Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Emmenbruecke
Posts: 2,904
Groaned at 37 Times in 34 Posts
Thanked 3,471 Times in 1,513 Posts
| | Re: I was conned!
This happens for the Passepartout card in Luzern too (general pass for buses), the 1/2 tax card doesn't give any discount.
| 
28.02.2011, 18:22
|  | Member | | Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Nyon
Posts: 150
Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts
Thanked 109 Times in 45 Posts
| | Re: I was conned!
Thanks guys. I just looked on the SBB website and it says nothing, but it would make sense - as long as they gave you some sort of discount, right?
| 
28.02.2011, 18:36
|  | Forum Veteran | | Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Luzern
Posts: 1,538
Groaned at 1 Time in 1 Post
Thanked 1,622 Times in 773 Posts
| | Re: I was conned!
Same in the canton of Neuchâtel. The half price card gets you a reduction on individual bus tickets, but not on monthly or annual passes. I suppose the logic to this is that the monthly and annual passes are already heavily discounted compared to individual tickets.
It might almost be worth your while getting an Abonnement général, especially if you're also using the trains to get about outside of your commuting.
| 
28.02.2011, 18:39
|  | Forum Legend | | Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Roundn'about Basel
Posts: 7,231
Groaned at 105 Times in 95 Posts
Thanked 9,934 Times in 4,178 Posts
| | Re: I was conned!
+3 or 4 or whatever number we're on.
Halbtax is for tickets not subscriptions. Same applies to TNW tickets (northwest CH travel zone around Basel and region). | Quote: | |  | | | I dont know for sure but is the half card for half priced travel outside of peak hours - peak hours - heures de pointe - off peak hours - heures creuses. hope it helps | | | | | Halbtax is for all tickets - no restrictions based on time.
GA covers everything though.
| 
28.02.2011, 18:45
|  | Member | | Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Zürich, ZH
Posts: 123
Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts
Thanked 182 Times in 63 Posts
| | Re: I was conned!
People are correct - a 1/2 card only gives you half fare on single tickets, not on passes. Passes are priced so reasonably already by comparison with single tickets that it seems rather unreasonable to expect half price on those as well!
Generally, the purpose of a 1/2 card is to make your *non*-routine trips cheaper. For routine trips like commutes, a pass is always going to be cheaper anyway.
A quick example to illustrate, taking a popular commute in ZH:
Winterthur -> Zürich HB return (day ticket) - 23.60 with, 11.80 without 1/2
Annual ZVV network pass (as it's 6 zones, the pass actually covers the entire ZVV network, rather than just Winterthur-ZH) - 2043.00
So even with a 1/2 card, 170-something return tickets is the breakeven point at which the pass is cheaper.
| This user would like to thank mpk for this useful post: | | 
28.02.2011, 18:53
|  | Forum Legend | | Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Quaint Wädenswil, Zürich, CH
Posts: 8,131
Groaned at 27 Times in 20 Posts
Thanked 7,036 Times in 3,912 Posts
| | Re: Felt ripped off - no reduction on a monthly pass despite having a Halbtax card
The monthly GA ( min. 4 months ) is at CHF305 a month - might be worth considering it if your mileage at least 125km a day. They took back my Halbtax card and credited it towards my GA. http://mct.sbb.ch/mct/en/reisemarkt/...abo-preise.htm | 
28.02.2011, 19:04
| | Re: I was conned! | Quote: | |  | | | Thanks guys. I just looked on the SBB website and it says nothing, but it would make sense - as long as they gave you some sort of discount, right? | | | | | See how much it costs each day to buy a ticket, multiply it by the number of days you work, deduct Chf 189.-- and the result is your discount.
I think you will find it quite generous.....
It maybe worth considered a season ticket at about Chf 3300 per year it maybe makes sense for you if you travel a bit at weekends.
| 
28.02.2011, 19:06
| | Re: I was conned! | Quote: | |  | | | Thanks guys. I just looked on the SBB website and it says nothing, but it would make sense - as long as they gave you some sort of discount, right? | | | | |
If you aren't really using your halbtax, I believe you can suspend it for a time, then resume when you need it.
| 
28.02.2011, 19:13
|  | Forum Legend | | Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Quaint Wädenswil, Zürich, CH
Posts: 8,131
Groaned at 27 Times in 20 Posts
Thanked 7,036 Times in 3,912 Posts
| | Re: Felt ripped off - no reduction on a monthly pass despite having a Halbtax card
I could be wrong Phos, but I recall being told by SBB that the Halbtax is not suspendable, only the GA ( max 30 days pay a fee of CHF10 for the privilege ).
Depositing your GA travelcard. If you won't be needing your GA travelcard for at least seven consecutive days, you can deposit it at the ticket office. It can be deposited for a maximum of 30 days during its period of validity. A fee of CHF 10 is charged for each deposit period, and you will be issued with an SBB receipt that functions as a temporary replacement for your travelcard on the days when it is deposited and retrieved.
Please note that the Familia GA travelcard for children and young adults, the transferable GA and the GA for dogs cannot be deposited.
Replacement of your GA travelcard.
If your travelcard is lost or damaged, simply present valid proof of your identity at the nearest ticket office and it will be replaced for a fee of CHF 30. The replacement GA travelcard issued following a loss cannot be deposited, nor are early termination or refund possible.
Forgotten your GA travelcard?
If you leave your travelcard at home or at the office, any station will issue a temporary 1-day travelcard against proof of identity and a fee of CHF 5. http://mct.sbb.ch/mct/en/reisemarkt/...ehr-zum-ga.htm
Replacement / Forgotten
Replacement of your Half-Fare travelcard.
If your Half-Fare travelcard is lost or damaged, simply present the receipt and proof of identity at the ticket office and your travelcard will be replaced for a fee of CHF 30. You will be issued with a provisional travelcard immediately, and your new card will be posted to you within a few days.
If you lose your Half-Fare travelcard with Visa card, please call us on 0848 44 11 22 at any time of the day or night. If the loss takes place abroad, the number to ring is +41 44 220 49 00.
Forgotten your Half-Fare travelcard?
If you leave your Half-Fare travelcard at home or at the office, you can buy a temporary replacement from the ticket office for CHF 5. Take proof of identity with you. http://mct.sbb.ch/mct/en/reisemarkt/...tax-ersatz.htm
__________________ 404 – punoɟ ʇou ɹoʇɐɹǝpoɯ | 
28.02.2011, 19:14
|  | Forum Veteran | | Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Zurich
Posts: 1,018
Groaned at 1 Time in 1 Post
Thanked 1,300 Times in 575 Posts
| | Re: Felt ripped off - no reduction on a monthly pass despite having a Halbtax card
SBB's General Terms and Conditions for the Halb Tax Abo state that the Halb Tax Abo can be used when purchasing:
- simple one way tickets, tickets there and back and round trip tickets
- international tickets (for the Swiss portion of the trip).
- class upgrades
- route changes
In any event you usually are getting a better deal with the monthly pass (and would get an even better deal with a year pass) than if you were buying single tickets with the Halb Tax.
In your case, you appear also to get the whole Geneva City covered with your pass.
| 
28.02.2011, 19:16
| | Re: Felt ripped off - no reduction on a monthly pass despite having a Halbtax card | Quote: | |  | | | I could be wrong Phos, but I recall being told by SBB that the Halbtax is not suspendable, only the GA ( max 30 days pay a fee of CHF10 for the privilege ). | | | | |
Or you could be right. I think its worth an inquiry. The OP seems to have bought a halbtax under the impression it applies to monthly passes. Under these circumstances, she may even be able to return it for partial unused credit. I've found the SBB to be very reasonable and helpful with such things.
| 
28.02.2011, 19:18
|  | Forum Legend | | Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Quaint Wädenswil, Zürich, CH
Posts: 8,131
Groaned at 27 Times in 20 Posts
Thanked 7,036 Times in 3,912 Posts
| | Re: Felt ripped off - no reduction on a monthly pass despite having a Halbtax card
Indeed, I got my Halbtax credit back when upgrading to a GA ( pro-rated ). SBB is very flexible.
| 
28.02.2011, 19:31
|  | Forum Legend | | Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Zurich
Posts: 12,361
Groaned at 338 Times in 274 Posts
Thanked 26,263 Times in 11,000 Posts
| | Re: I was conned! | Quote: | |  | | | If you aren't really using your halbtax, I believe you can suspend it for a time, then resume when you need it. | | | | | That used to be possible but it must be at least 15 years since they abolished that. Only the GA is now suspendable, and only to a limited degree.
| 
28.02.2011, 19:50
| | Re: Felt ripped off - no reduction on a monthly pass despite having a Halbtax card | Quote: | |  | | | Indeed, I got my Halbtax credit back when upgrading to a GA ( pro-rated ). SBB is very flexible. | | | | | A half tax to a GA is a sizable upgrade, so SBB are flexible but i don't think they credit you back a Half tax for a few monthly passes, there's absolutely no reason why they should.
If you cash in a GA after say 6 months you don't get 50% back, you get around 35% or 40% back only.
| This user would like to thank for this useful post: | |
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | | Thread Tools | | Display Modes | Linear Mode |
Posting Rules
| You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts HTML code is Off | | | All times are GMT +2. The time now is 15:23. | |