Train companies in the UK are reportedly considering offering cheap “walk-on” fares on long-distance journeys, in a bid to “stop carting fresh air around the country”.
According to The Daily Telegraph, Virgin West Coast is considering selling unsold tickets at the same price as if they were booked two weeks in advance – meaning that a single off-peak fare from London to Manchester would cost £12, rather than £54. Midland Mainline and GNER are reportedly considering similar initiatives.
The newspaper reports that “most operators” would have to agree to the scheme for it to take place.
GNER, which is looking to reduce the number of unsold seats on its services from 50 per cent to 40 per cent, has reportedly already hired a specialist research company to carry out a study of passengers.
Report by Tim Gillett,
News From Abroad Ltd www.newsfromabroad.com
