Simpler rail fares for all journeys
Passengers will soon be able to enjoy simpler train fares for walk up rail journeys
when the second stage of fares simplification takes effect on 7th September. This follows
the introduction of simpler fares for advance journeys in May. ‘Walk-up’ fares (i.e. tickets
that passengers don’t have to buy in advance of travel) will be grouped into one of two
categories – Anytime or Off-Peak.
Anytime fares (Singles and Returns) can be purchased right up to the day and time of
travel and used on any train without peak hour or any other restriction. Current ticket types
that fall into the Anytime category include Open Singles and Open Returns.
Off-Peak tickets are, as their name suggests, cheaper fares for travelling during periods
when train services are generally less busy. They can be bought right up until the time of
departure but they carry restrictions on the time, day or route of travel. Current ticket types
that will be renamed Off-Peak 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 new fare categories mean that passengers have a simpler choice of tickets when planning
their journey. Websites and ticket office information will reflect this. The changes are designed
to enable people to buy the best value ticket to match their journey.
The introduction of Anytime and Off-Peak fare names follows on from the first stage of fares
simplification in May, when all advanced purchase fares were simplified under the name Advance. The
two million holders of railcards get 1/3 off the price of all Standard Class Anytime, Off-Peak and
all Advance fares. Senior, HM Forces and Disabled Persons Railcard holders also get 1/3 off First
Class fares.
Passenger feedback and research has suggested that people don’t always find it easy to buy the
best value ticket to match their needs because of the range of ticket names and different fares presently
available. The new names were chosen based on market research with customers undertaken by ATOC. Further
research by the national rail watchdog, Passenger Focus, found a simplified fare structure to be an
important step in the right direction towards a better understanding of rail fares.
Commenting on the changes, David Mapp, Commercial Director of ATOC said “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.”
Together with 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.
The new fare names are being communicated to passengers via leaflets and posters at stations and
also on the National Rail website www.nationalrail.co.uk/simplefares.
Simpler Rail Fares Leaflet (PDF, 565kb)
Notes for Editors
The Marston Vale Community Rail Partnership is led by Bedfordshire
Rural Communities Charity in association with Bedfordshire County
Council, London Midland, Milton Keynes Council, Bedford Borough
Council, Mid Bedfordshire District Council, Bedford to Bletchley
Rail Users’ Association, the Forest of Marston Vale and the
Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes Associations of Town and Parish
Councils.
The Partnership has been set up to act as a bridge between the
rail industry and the community to encourage more people to use the
train for travel to work and leisure, and to share their views and
ideas for improving their railway.
The Partnership will be overseeing a range of projects throughout
2008.
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