As the Government tries to reduce cost-of-living pressures, train tickets will be reduced by up to half.
The Great British Rail Sale is what the Transport Secretary called it. He stated that more than one million train tickets will be discounted this spring.
The Department for Transport (DfT), hopes the move will allow hard-pressed families, who are facing rising bills, soaring inflation and high prices, to travel across the UK and increase domestic tourism.
This sale is believed to be the first-ever of its kind. It will bring Manchester to Newcastle’s travels down to just over £10, while London to Edinburgh seats will be reduced from £44 to £22.
Grant Shapps, Transport Secretary, spoke out about the removal of coronavirus restrictions. He said in a video that he was promoting the sale: “We’ve had 2 years of living life virtually.
It is time to be real and see our beautiful country.
Tickets are on sale starting Tuesday, April 19th. Passengers can travel less for off-peak fares between April 25th and May 27.
Officials stated that half-price rail tickets were “one way” the Government was supporting families with the cost of live. They had previously announced measures to delay energy costs and to offer discounts on council taxes for certain households.
Shapps stated in a statement that: “For the first time ever, rail operators are joining together to help passengers face rising living costs by offering up to half of more than one million tickets across Britain.
Book your tickets now to see family, and friends, or simply explore this great country.
Jacqueline Starr is the chief executive officer of Rail Delivery Group. She stated: “We want everyone in the world to have the opportunity to travel by train. It’s more than just an adventure, it’s a way for everyone to connect to people, places, and things that they love.
“As part the Great British Rail Sale, customers will receive over 1,000,000 discounted tickets so that they can visit some of the amazing locations that are only accessible by rail.”
Additional savings are expected to include a reduced journey from York to Leeds to £2.80 (from PS5.60), London to Cardiff to £47 to £25, and Portsmouth Harbour-to Penzance to £22 from £45.70.
According to the DfT, reforms to rail sectors through the Williams-Shapps plan of rail will allow for more network-wide ticket sales in the future.
Louise Haigh, Labour’s shadow transport secretary, said that the spring discounts will offer “small comfort” to passengers after years of “soaring airfares”.
She stated that “a decade of Tory fare hikes have cost people their railways.”
“This temporary relief will not be of much comfort to passengers who have had thousands taken from their pockets by skyrocketing fares since 2010.
“And the decision not to sell the property just before half-term means that many families will face the same harsh holiday costs.
“Working people face the worst cost of living crisis in decades. The Conservatives chose to raise taxes and reject a windfall income tax on the oil and gas giants’ soaring profits.
“Labour would benefit working people with a fully-funded plan that cuts household bills up to £600.
