New flexible season tickets for trains are going on sale from Monday in England. They are aimed at commuters who only travel to work two or three days a week, and can be used for eight days in any month long period.
Passengers will be able to calculate savings and book new tickets on the National Rail website.
The new tickets are part of the government’s plans to change the country’s railway infrastructure and services. The shake up will see a state owned body, Great British Railways (GBR), take control from 2023. They will be responsible for setting timetables and prices, selling tickets, and managing rail infrastructure.
However, the flexible tickets, in use from 28 June, are introduced early to cater for the current trend of increased working from home.
The government estimate savings of between £60 and £350 a year for commuters on some journeys. Meanwhile, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps says the new tickets will offer “greater freedom and choice about how we travel, simpler ticketing and a fairer fare”.
What the new system offers
Holders of a flexible season ticket can travel on any eight days in a 28 day period, without needing to select exact days in advance.
An online “season ticket calculator” will help passengers identify the cheapest options.
A guarantee for those booking in advance, that altering bookings will incur no additional charges if plans change (until the end of this year).
However, people need to exercise caution because the new system works differently to traditional season tickets. The new flexible tickets offer a fixed number of journeys, whereas a normal season ticket allows unlimited travel within the given time period.
Rise in home-working
Demand for traditional season tickets already fell prior to the pandemic. But the enforced period of working from home accelerated the trend. After Covid restrictions are all removed, many employers say they will allow staff the option to work from home for at least part of the week.
There is demand for something that suits people expecting to commute less frequently in future. Therefore, the new ticket system may help encourage people to travel more by train again.
The ticket changes are a positive step towards a long term reform of how rail tickets are sold. More needs doing to help rebuild passenger confidence, like waiving admin fees for altering tickets.
However, people are advised to check costs using the calculator, as the new tickets are not necessarily the best option for everyone. People really need to think about if the new tickets are value for money for them. They will only really benefit people who know they will definitely only work a couple of days a week. If people need to keep popping in for extra days during the month, costs will soon add up.
The body representing train operators, the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), say rail companies want further reforms to the fare system. For example, they want more use of tap-in, tap-out technology. This is used on the London Underground, allowing travellers to accumulate journeys and pay when they reach the threshold. This system means people do not need to know their plans in advance, and only pay for what they use.
Thank you for reading Flexible Season Tickets for Part-Time Commuters
Looking for a storage solution for your garden furniture, tools and belongings? Look no further – Garden Sheds at affordable prices.