(01 Sep 2023, 5:57 pm)RobinHood wrote It doesn't work like that unfortunately, would be very simple if it was, but appreciating that it would clearly leave the door open for manipulation.
Arriva, along with other major operators, actually agree a fixed reimbursement value with the government for each 'period' of £2 fare scheme (each period is around 3-4 months long, which is why operators haven't committed to the £2.50 scheme yet even though the government is shouting about it, as they haven't agreed reimbursement for that new scheme period yet).
The calculation for reimbursement is based on usage from a chosen period of time weighted by the scheduled mileage within that period. Basically means that intentional issuing of longer distance journeys makes no difference to the reimbursement and any growth in that time cannot be considered in the calculation until the next scheme period.
Ah I see, interesting, thanks!