Avanti West Coast has launched an innovative low-cost ticket aimed at passengers who can be more flexible about what time they travel.
Superfare tickets will enable passengers to buy a ticket for a specific date with the choice of morning, afternoon or evening slots, but Avanti will select the time. It will allocate a seat on a quieter train around 24 hours before the journey, and inform the passenger of their train’s departure and their seat reservation.
Superfare tickets are available for single journeys between London and Birmingham, Liverpool, Preston, and Manchester Piccadilly. Fares will be fixed, and will cost between £12 and £22.
The number of tickets available on a route each day will vary. Bookings can be made at least seven days and up to 21 days before travel.
Avanti West Coast is currently trialling the Superfare tickets, and has partnered with discount website Student Beans to promote the offer. It is aimed at people who would not normally opt for the train to travel to their favoured destination.
Sarah Copley, Avanti West Coast’s Executive Director for Commercial, said: “Superfare tickets are aimed at customers who can be more flexible with their journeys. Not only does it provide a cheaper option, but it’s also quick and easy. Customers pick their date and time of day. Then, 24 hours before their journey, we match them to an empty seat and give them their departure time and reservation.
“We want to give our customers more cost-effective ticketing options in an innovative way when travelling with us, as well as encouraging more people to take the train.”
Responses
Perhaps they want to copy LNER, Lumo, GWR, Greater Anglia and other rail operators that have introduce low cost flexible tickets.
This latest Avant “wheez” is unlikely to assist many.As other person commenting says, they should concentrate on running a proper, reasonably reliable service.They have completely trashed the overall excellent service built up by previous operator Virgin.They have mucked about with seating classes, virtual obliterating first class.No one knows if the advertised catering is available etc,etc.
This ” Superfare” you could be allocated travel at anytime of day.Most people want better certainty than that, like that which booking an Advance Purchase ticket might gave but 12 weeks book “window” is still uncertain.Time to remove their Operating Contract asap.
Avanti should look at running a proper train service first.