Train journeys are set to be cheaper from today following the launch of the 'Great British Rail Sale.' The government scheme has been put in place to help millions of passengers across the UK get their trips for a better price.
Over one million rail tickets will be slashed by up to 50% as the government and rail industry launch the first-of-its-kind Great British Rail Sale, and the public is being encouraged to take advantage of the sale, which sees for the first time multiple operators come together to offer nationwide savings.
The sale comes on the back of the highest train fare rises for nine years which came into force for rail travellers last month. The Campaign for Better Transport told the BBC that wider price increases are "driving people off the railway", and passenger numbers on trains have not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels.
The Department for Transport (DfT) is hoping more Britons will return to the railway following the launch of the sale which will see more than one million train tickets reduced from today (April 19).
Discounted tickets will go on sale from Tuesday, April 19, with passengers being eligible to travel for less on off-peak fares between April 25 and May 27. However, only selected routes may be valid and the sale will also not cover journeys made during half-term or the four-day UK bank holiday weekend from June 2-5, which will mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.
The sale is however expected to bring some Manchester to Newcastle journeys down to a little over £10, while seats on some London to Edinburgh services will be slashed from £44 to £22.
According gov.uk the savings on offer for off-peak tickets include:
- York to Leeds: was £5.60, now £2.80
- London to Edinburgh: was £44, now £22
- London to Cardiff: was £47, now £25
- Wolverhampton to Liverpool: was £10.50, now £5.25
- Manchester to Newcastle: was £20.60, now £10.30
- Birmingham New Street to Bristol Temple Meads: was £25.30, now £12.60
- Portsmouth Harbour to Penzance was £45.70, now £22.00
To check tickets for your journey visit Trainline here.
Tickets can be purchased online from participating retailers with the up to half-price rate applying to a huge range of off-peak tickets spreading the length and breadth of the country.
Jacqueline Starr, CEO of the Rail Delivery Group, said: "We want everyone to be able to benefit from travelling by train because it’s more than just a journey, it’s a way to connect everyone to the people, places and things they love.
"As part of the Great British Rail Sale customers will enjoy over one million discounted tickets, so they can explore some of the fantastic locations that are accessible by rail."
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: "For the first time ever, operators across the rail industry are coming together to help passengers facing rising costs of living by offering up to 50% off more than a million tickets on journeys across Britain. There’s no better time to visit friends, family or just explore our great country, so book your tickets today."
