1 January 2008

The UK's leading rail retailer of the UK's train tickets, TheTrainline, today comments on January's proposed rail fare increase:

Comment attributable to Richard Rowson, Business Development Director at TheTrainline: "On the back of January's rail fare announcement, we will be informing and advising our customers how to beat the planned fare increases by buying in advance online.

"Research proves that in some cases travellers can save as much as 91% by buying online in advance, compared to buying at the station on the day of travel.

"And these are not just isolated savings, on almost all the major intercity routes online customers are, on average, paying less than half of the best price available at the station on the day of travel. For example, if you were to travel between Leeds and London a walk up single fare would be around £73.60 while the average price paid by booking online in advance through TheTrainline is £26.27, which is a big saving of 64%.

Other indicative fare savings available by booking through TheTrainline:

Leeds to London

Best price paid on TheTrainline: £7.00 saving 91%
Average price paid on TheTrainline: £26.27 saving 64%
Walk-up fare: £73.80

Edinburgh to London Kings Cross

Best price paid on TheTrainline: £15.70 saving 84%
Average price paid on TheTrainline: £33.92 saving 65%
Walk-up fare: £97.20

Newcastle to London

Best price paid on TheTrainline: £12.90 saving 86%
Average price paid on TheTrainline: £33.92 saving 64%
Walk-up fare: £94.30

York to London

Best price paid on TheTrainline: £11.25 saving 84%
Average price paid on TheTrainline: £29.05 saving 61%
Walk-up fare: £73.80

Birmingham to London

Best price paid on TheTrainline: £10.00 saving 73%
Average price paid on TheTrainline: £20.15 saving 45%
Walk-up fare: £36.70

Manchester to London

Best price paid on TheTrainline: £12.00 saving 79%
Average price paid on TheTrainline: £30.12 saving 49%
Walk-up fare: £58.50

Bristol to London

Best price paid on TheTrainline: £10.00 saving 79%
Average price paid on TheTrainline: £18.35 saving 62%
Walk-up fare: £48.00

Cardiff to London

Best price paid on TheTrainline: £11.00 saving 79%
Average price paid on TheTrainline: £20.73 saving 61%
Walk-up fare: £53.00

- ENDS -

For TheTrainline customer enquiries, please call customer services on 0870 010 1296 and quote your reference number.

Notes to the editors:

About TheTrainline
TheTrainline is the leading UK rail ticket retailer and rail ticket information provider, offering fast and easy access to timetables, fares, reservations and tickets through its Internet site and contact centre operations in the UK train travel sector. In addition to its own website, www.thetrainline.com, it operates retail websites for 15 Train Operating Companies who sell rail tickets online, as well as providing a rail business travel service direct to a number of blue chip corporations and travel agents.

. Prices are based on standard class adult single fares for the journey stated, and exclude railcard discounts*

. Price comparison made over the period of 4 weeks ending 10th November 2007

. TheTrainline prices are based upon the average price paid for bookings made through www.thetrainline.com

. Walk-up fare based on the "Saver Single" fare - the cheapest available fare available for purchase at the station at the time of travel

. Savings are not exclusive to TheTrainline, comparable prices are available from other retailers

. Savings may vary based upon time of purchase and time of travel

(*Standard class adult single fares excluding railcards are the most popular products sold online for these routes)

Other key facts: According to industry figures (from ATOC), around 18% of train tickets (by revenue) are purchased online (excluding season tickets)

In general the best savings are available between 6 and 12 weeks before travel - albeit the sophisticated pricing tools used by some train companies mean that prices can go down nearer to the time of travel if bookings are low.