Train operator extends discount ticket scheme

Passengers can now buy fares from London to the Midlands and north of England for as little as £9.

A long-distance train operator said it was overwhelmed by customer response after adding 10 new routes to a discounted tickets scheme.

Avanti West Coast passengers can now buy tickets between London Euston and Rugby, Coventry, Nuneaton, Birmingham International and Wolverhampton for £9.

Travellers can also travel from London Euston to Penrith for £26 and to Carlisle for £28.

The Superfare scheme involves customers buying a ticket for a particular date and specifying whether they want to travel in the morning, afternoon or evening.

The company's commercial director Sarah Copley said for passengers with flexibility it was "a great way to grab yourself a bargain".

More than 50,000 Superfare tickets have been bought for journeys between London Euston and Liverpool, Birmingham, Manchester, Preston and Glasgow since the scheme was launched in March last year.

Around 24 hours before their journey, Avanti West Coast matches ticket-holders to a quieter service and informs them of their departure time.

Tickets must be booked at least seven days in advance, with fares fixed between £9 and £28. Railcard discounts do not apply.

Ms Copley said: "For those with flexibility around when they travel, it's a great way to grab yourself a bargain and we're delighted to extend the Superfare ticket benefits to more destinations."

Other routes added to the programme go between London Euston and Oxenholme for £26, Milton Keynes and Manchester for £18, and from Preston to Glasgow for £12.

Long-term improvements

The scheme's expansion comes against the background of criticism for the West Coast Main Line service, with transport leaders in the north of England calling for Avanti to be stripped of its franchise.

They highlighted service cuts and delays over the winter.

At the time, the company said it had "plans to deliver long-term improvements in customer experience, resilience and a new fleet."