Train passengers in the UK could save millions from next week thanks to a government rail sale which will cut ticket prices in half. A journey from Liverpool to London could cost as little as £7, London to Edinburgh will be priced from just £26.15, and tickets from Nottingham to Manchester could be snapped up for less than £10.
From January 14 (Tuesday) to January 20, select advance and off-peak fares will be discounted by up to 50 per cent for journeys made between January 17 and March 31. Almost all UK train operators will be taking part in the sale, including ScotRail and Transport for Wales.
Last year’s sale saved passengers about £5.8 million in total but this year’s event is going to be even bigger, with the aim of offering cheaper fares to encourage more people to travel by train.
However, the government has urged travellers to act fast to access the deals as there are only a limited number of tickets available. Last year, 600,000 tickets were sold in the sale, which resulted in an additional 440,000 journeys taken by train and £5.1 million in ticket sales made for the industry.
Transport secretary 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, his sale offers huge reductions on all sorts of journeys.”
The sale comes on the 200th anniversary of the first steam-powered passenger train and we can expect celebrations throughout the year, the government announcement said. This will “honour Britain’s heritage as the birthplace of the modern railway and recognise the role rail continues to play in forming critical infrastructure and boosting local economies throughout the country”.
Chief executive of the Rail Delivery Group, Jacqueline Starr, said: “Over two centuries, rail has become a vital part of the UK, shaping the economy and lives of millions.” The sale is “a great way to save on your travel and celebrate 200 years of railway connections,” Starr added.
Example fares during this year’s sale include St Pancras to Whitstable for £7.20, Ashford to Ramsgate for £2.60, and Leeds to Manchester Airport for £5.90. Other fares include:
Newcastle to Carlisle for £6
Liverpool to London Euston for £7
Leeds to Sheffield for £3.60
Glasgow to Inverness for £14.10
London to Newcastle for £23.60