The simplification of the train fares has continued.
It follows the introduction of simpler fares for advance journeys in May 2008.
From 07 September ‘Walk-up’ fares (tickets bought on the day of travel) are grouped into: Anytime or Off-Peak.
Anytime fares (singles and returns) can be purchased right up to the day and time of travel. They can be used on any train without restriction.
Current ticket types that fall into the Anytime category include Open Singles and Open Returns.
Off-Peak tickets are cheaper fares. They are useful for businesses wishing to take advantage of periods when train services are less busy.
Off-Peak tickets can be bought up until the time of departure but carry restrictions on the time, day or route of travel. Current ticket types affected include Savers and Cheap Day Returns.
On some routes where there is more than one off-peak fare, the cheaper fare will be called Super Off-Peak. Current SuperSaver tickets fall into this category.
The changes are designed to ensure passengers buy the best value ticket to match their journey, according to the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC).
David Mapp, commercial director, ATOC commented: “We want passengers to take advantage of these changes and, by making fares simpler, encourage even more people to take the train.
“Passengers have told us that they want a simpler fares system. We are listening and responding.”
Further information
- Season tickets, Advanced, Off-peak and Anytime account for around 99% of all rail tickets
- A small number of ticket types remain unchanged and are not included in the new arrangements.
- For more on the new fare names visit www.nationalrail.co.uk/simplefares
- For our news story on the new, simpler Advance system, read Simpler fares make rail travel easier
- Read the Editor’s Blog Simpler train fares
Second stage of simplified fare structure
