Government promote rail ticket sale, which will offer up to half price discounts on over 2m journeys
Next week, millions of train tickets will go on sale at half the price as part of the government’s annual rail sale.
From January 14 to 20, selected advance and off-peak fares will go on sale at up to 50% off for travel between January 17 and March 31.
Thousands of popular routes will span the length and breadth of of the country, across almost all UK train operators — with the exception of Hull Trains, Lumo, Merseyrail, and Translink Northern Ireland.
The means the cost of a ticket from Nottingham to Manchester could be brought down to less than £10.
These offers are limited to two million tickets — an increase from the 600,000 sold last year — and passengers are encouraged to take advantage of the discounts and save on their rail fares while they still can.
The government estimates that last year’s sale saved passengers a total of around £5.8m and resulted in an extra 440,000 journeys being taken by train.
Secretary of state for transport, Heidi Alexander said: “I’m launching the biggest ever rail sale so more passengers can get big discounts on train tickets to visit destinations across the country.
“Whether you’re planning a getaway or wanting to visit friends or family, this sale offers huge reductions on all sorts of journeys.
“Make the most of this sale, get your tickets while you can!”
The current Labour government say the sale delivers on their commitment to putting “passengers at the heart of rail services”, raising living standards as part of the Plan for Change, and cutting carbon emissions by encouraging greener forms of transport.
Jacqueline Starr, chief executive of Rail Delivery Group, said: “This year, as we celebrate 200 years of railways in the UK, we’re reminded that rail travel is about much more than simply getting from A to B – it’s about bringing people, communities, and opportunities together.
“Over two centuries, rail has become a vital part of the UK, shaping the economy and lives of millions.
“The year’s rail sale will offer over 2 million discounted advance fares starting on 14 January 2025 which is a great way to save on your travel and celebrate 200 years of railway connections.”
To encourage more people onto the railways the Government is undertaking the biggest overhaul of our railways in a generation through the creation of Great British Railways, which will bring track and train together under one directing mind with a relentless focus on improving services for passengers and customers.
The government is also planning to overhaul the railways by bringing services under one authority, as part of the Public Ownership Bill, focussed on improving services for passengers and customers.
They claim that the creation of this new Great British Railways will save up to £150m a year in fees alone by ensuring money is spent on services rather than private shareholders.
