Advance tickets

In his article on Advance tickets ( RAIL 849), Philip Haigh complains about being presented with multiple fares for the next train, but then admits he deliberately bypassed the simpler fares list on National Rail Enquiries that highlighted the cheapest fare.

He also dismisses Advance fares as making up “only” 15.1% of ticket revenue, overlooking that 15% means the difference between profit and loss for a train operating company (TOC).

Moreover, that percentage will include all the South East commuter TOCs, for whom Advance fares are a very small part of their business. Look instead at the long-distance TOCs and the percentage will be much larger.

He also uses the tired argument of it being unfair on those who bought open tickets if Advance ticket holders have reserved seats, missing the point that open ticket holders are free to reserve seats if they so wish.

Perhaps most seriously, he acknowledges that if Advance Purchase tickets disappeared, some passengers would pay more and some would walk away.

He seems to treat the fact of some paying more as being of no consequence. Perhaps he is able to afford to pay more than he needs to for rail travel. Many cannot.

Best value is the major factor for many people for whom rail travel is just one option. Yes, let’s have apps that are clear on the best value tickets, but we are in a generation that uses exactly that approach for hotels, shopping and multiple other tasks. Rail must not be left behind.