Great Western Railway has noticed a change in customer habits and has now launched a Long Weekender ticket to its customers.

The Long Weekender ticket offers savings of more than 60% to leisure travellers.

Compared to pre-pandemic numbers, work patterns have seen commuter journeys but have seen more growth in leisure travel.

With Sundays becoming increasingly busier, Great Western Railway has released the ticket to allow customers to travel any time on Friday or Saturday and return on Monday.

The Long Weekender ticket will be trialed on routes from London Paddington to the Bristol are and South Wales. Providing the success of the ticket, it will be trialed on more routes.

The ticket can be booked online at GWR.com, providing full flexibility and large savings in comparison to peak Anytime return fares.

Fares from Chippenham cost £69 in comparison to an anytime return at £195, Bath Spa and Bristol Temple Meads costs £79 compared to £222.40 and £238.80 and Cardiff Central costing £99 comapred to £264.80.

GWR Interim Sales & Marketing Director Lee Edworthy said: “Changing customer patterns have provided a clear opportunity for us to expand our leisure offering, particularly on a Monday.

“We’ve been working closely with destination management organisations like Visit Bristol, Visit Bath and Visit Cardiff to help promote the Long Weekender and they are really supportive of this ticket.

“This offers great savings if you’re heading for rest in the West, either staying at a hotel or B&B, or visiting friends and family. And if you need to catch up on those work emails on the way home on Monday, you can do so from the comfort of the train.”