Fare News

From Sunday 1st August until Sunday 5th September, LondonMidland are cutting their Off-peak return fares by 50% and still giving Railcard discounts. This makes the Birmingham to London Adult off-peak fare £12.50 valid on any train Monday to Friday from the 07.54. NOTE that these tickets HAVE to be booked online - booking opens Thursday 29th July. Full details: http://www.londonmidland.com/your-journey/summer-rail-sale/

Chiltern Railways are offering a third off fares on TUESDAYS until Tuesday 28th September to over-60 holders of the National Travel Pass or London Freedom Pass (i.e. your ‘bus pass’ displaying the ‘red rose’ logo). Full details: http://www.chilternrailways.co.uk/news/over-60-brighten-your-chiltern-tuesday-13-fares

Barry Doe in Rail 649 (in newsagents from Wednesday 28th July) points out that Railcard holders can travel on any Virgin train journey on which VIRGIN SETS THE FARES at any time for the Off-peak fare (ie there are NO peak restrictions). For Birmingham to London passengers this means a saving of £43 on the single peak standard fare. Even better, for Senior Railcard holders, the First Class single fare on the first two trains Monday to Friday becomes £57.75 rather than £120 (see http://birmingham2london.blogspot.com/2010/06/virgin-fares.html for the reason).

When you add in passengers who can use the Virgin Charity Line facilty, I now understand why the 7.30 Pendolino is so busy in Standard Class! However, NOTE that the conditions for the Virgin Charity Line are changing from Friday 13th August: it won't be so useful after that date it would appear...