BRITISH government-run train operator London North Eastern Railway (LNER) has launched what it describes as a pioneering pilot project to simplify fares on journeys on the East Coast Main Line between London King’s Cross, Newcastle, Berwick-upon-Tweed, and Edinburgh.
Under the two-year pilot three ticketing options will be available for both First Class and Standard travel on the trial routes:
- Advance (Fixed) - this is the best value fare, booked in advance for a fixed journey with a guaranteed reserved seat
- 70min Flex (Semi-Flexible) - a new type of ticket offering customers the flexibility to travel on other LNER services, which can be 70 minutes before or after their original booked journey
- Anytime (Fully-Flexible) - this ticket can be used at any time of day.
The project builds on the introduction of Single Leg Pricing on much of the LNER network in June 2023. LNER says this reduced the number of ticket options available to customers from 23 to 11, with six now available under the Simpler Fares pilot.
Tickets went on sale on January 16 for journeys from February 5, when Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak fares, which LNER says represents only 11% of journeys in the pilot, will be removed.
Feedback
LNER says it will be seeking feedback from customers and will collaborate with industry partners to understand how the pilot is working for passengers and to ensure that a wide range of affordable tickets are available.
The company’s managing director, Mr David Horne, says simplifying fares is vital to make rail more attractive, with customer feedback showing that there is confusion with the current structure.
“This exciting new pilot is the next step in our plans to overhaul complicated and outdated ticketing options and we look forward to hearing feedback from our customers,” Horne says. “We believe that making fares simpler, smarter, and fairer, while introducing value for money and modern flexibility, will encourage more people to choose to travel by rail, the most sustainable travel choice.”
