Travel
Huge sale on rail fares announced with more than one million up to half price tickets
The temporary discount has been announced in response to the cost-of-living crisis
Rail fares across the UK are set to be cut by up to half in April and May as part of the government’s response to the cost-of-living crisis.
The Great British Rail Sale will see the cost of more than one million train tickets reduced in a bid to help struggling households afford trips across the UK and to boost domestic tourism.
The first-of-its-kind sale is expected to bring journeys from Manchester to Newcastle down from £20.60 to £10.30, London to Edinburgh services from £44 to £22, and York to Leeds journeys from £5.60 to £2.80.
In a video to advertise the sale, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “We’ve had two years of living life virtually. It is time to get real and visit our beautiful country.”
In an official statement, Shapps added: “For the first time ever, operators across the rail industry are coming together to help passengers facing rising costs of living by offering up to 50% off more than a million tickets on journeys across Britain.
“There’s no better time to visit friends, family or just explore our great country, so book your tickets today.”
Government officials said half-price rail tickets are just ‘one of the ways’ it is helping to support families with the cost of living crisis, following its announcement of council tax discounts and tax cuts.
However, the temporary sale hasn’t been without criticism, with many noting that rail fares need to be permanently reduced in order to help struggling families with the soaring cost of living.
Labour’s shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh said the discounts this spring will be ‘small comfort to passengers’ after years of ‘soaring fares’.
She said: “A decade of brutal Tory fare hikes have priced people off our railways. This temporary respite will be small comfort to passengers who had thousands taken out of their pockets from soaring fares since 2010.
“And the decision to end the sale just before half-term will mean many families face the same punishing costs over the holidays. Labour would help working people – with a fully-funded plan to cut up to £600 off of household bills.”
Discounted tickets will go on sale from today, Tuesday April 19th, with passengers eligible to travel for less on off-peak fares between April 25th and May 27th.
For more information, visit the Gov.uk website.