New flexible rail tickets, matching modern working habits and saving passengers hundreds of pounds, will be available to commuters across England from next week. The paperless tickets will allow travel on any 8 days in a 28-day period, with passengers able to tap smartcards or scan mobiles at the station with no need to select the days of travel in advance. The change has the potential to save commuters hundreds of pounds, providing greater choice and flexibility.
Commuters can visit an updated online ‘season ticket calculator’, which will point people to the best tickets for them based on their journey, working pattern and individual needs, ensuring they get the deal that suits them. To encourage more passengers to travel by rail, for the rest of this year train companies will also offer a book with confidence guarantee, allowing people to rebook journeys or receive rail vouchers without an admin fee if their plans change.
Central Devon Member of Parliament Mel Stride, who helped to lead the successful campaign for the introduction of a new regular rail services in his constituency between Okehampton and Exeter (due to begin by the end of 2021), said:
“This is an excellent initiative which will make travelling by rail easier and in many cases cheaper. It is just one part of a wider set of reforms aimed at making rail travel more attractive, which will help in taking cars off the road and reducing carbon emissions.”
For more information visit www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/Season-Calculator.aspx or search for Season Ticket Calculator.
