Virgin Trains - January 2010 fares changes

From 2 January 2010 some Virgin Trains’ fares will be changing. Although the fares only come into effect early next year, tickets can be bought from 5 December.

Overall, Virgin Trains’ fares will rise by an average of 1.2%. However the prices paid by 8 out of 10 customers will reduce (their Standard Off Peak and Standard Season prices drop by 0.4%) or stay the same. The average increase across the industry will be 1.1%.

What fares are changing?
For the majority of Virgin Trains customers this is the first increase in fares for a year. There will be no change to the price of most of their Advance fares (11 categories), including the cheapest. The price of Anytime fares will rise. These tickets can be bought on the day of travel and used on any train. Standard Anytime fares will increase by 6%, while First Class Anytime and First Class season ticket fares will increase by 4%.

Are there changes to Off Peak restrictions?
From 2 January 2010 there will also be changes to the times that Off Peak tickets can be used. These tickets will not be valid for arrivals in London before 11:30 (currently all trains before 10:55), Monday to Friday.

For departures from London Off Peak tickets will not be allowed on any departure before 09:25 (currently 09:05) or between 15:01 and 18:45 (currently 15:15 and 18:31)

Virgin Trains will be trialling an easement to some early morning peak services on the EBW route; this will mean Off Peak tickets will additionally be valid on the 05:00 and 05:20 Wolverhampton to London Euston, arriving at 07:02 and 07:13 respectively. Also the 06:03 London Euston to Birmingham New Street.

Restrictions from London Euston to/from Lancaster, Cumbria and Scotland, and to/from Mid and North Wales, will remain the same as now. In addition there are no changes to the restrictions on the Birmingham – Scotland Route.

However, some Advance tickets will be available on those trains affected by the restriction changes. Railcard holders can continue to use Off Peak tickets at any time during peak periods.