A UK rail company claims to be the first to abolish peak travel fares.
Wrexham & Shropshire, the train company which runs services from Wrexham, through Shrewsbury and Telford to London Marylebone, has introduced a flat fare structure starting at £40 return.
The new fixed fare tickets are valid for travel from the two points to the capital from March 30.
The company, which runs four return trains a day Monday to Saturday and three on Sundays, has also introduced a “buy on board” policy actively encouraging passengers to buy tickets once they have got on the train.
Return fares from either Shrewsbury or Telford will be £40 all day, compared with Virgin’s ‘Anytime’ £163 from Shrewsbury and £149 from Telford, the company claimed. The rate from Wrexham is £53 compared to Virgin’s £201.
A new first class fare with Wrexham & Shropshire will still cost less than a standard class Virgin ticket at £199 from Wrexham, £162 from Shrewsbury, £148 from Telford.
“Those travelling with Wrexham & Shropshire will be able to walk up on the day of travel and purchase a ticket which will cost the same regardless of what time they are travelling – taking away any confusion,” a spokeswoman said.
The move coincides with research from YouGov showing that 71% of all people who travel by train believe that train companies should simplify the number of ticket options.
More than a third (34%) of people who travel by train find buying tickets on the day of travel confusing, with 34% also reporting that they find it stressful.
And 66% of the 2,000 passengers polled said that they might use train travel more often if there was a simple flat fare.
Wrexham & Shropshire managing director Andy Hamilton said: “Having listened to what our passengers tell us we are cutting out the confusion and the high costs that surround train travel.”
He added: “You can’t get more convenient than buying the ticket on the train and we believe you shouldn’t be penalised for wanting to do so.”
