Train bosses deny ticket pricing 'fix'

May 12 2008 by Geoff Johnson, The Journal

ALLEGATIONS by a transport union that train companies are “deliberately misleading” passengers in the region over the availability of cheaper advance tickets during busy holiday periods were emphatically denied last night.

A survey carried out by the union Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) alleged that not one ticket was available at the cheapest advertised fare on the busy East Coast Main Line route between Glasgow and London, running through the North East, at the start of July.

The union said that although the National Express East Coast company was advertising advance bargain tickets of £15.70 from ticket offices for travel on July 17, 18 and 21, none were available when advance sales opened to the public two weeks ago.

A National Express spokesman, however, said that the tickets for the three days had been available.

TSSA General Secretary Gerry Doherty ordered the survey to be carried out after accusing the rail companies of restricting cheaper ticket sales at busy holiday times to boost higher-priced ticket sales.

He said: “This is proof positive that the rail companies are deliberately misleading the travelling public when they claim that cheaper tickets are available if you only book far enough ahead.

“This is clearly not the case on one of the country’s busiest routes, National Express’s East Coast line. Not one cheapest bargain ticket was available, either through the booking office or by the internet.

“These so-called deals are a mirage, aimed at luring customers in and then forcing them to pay higher fares. You expect that sort of con trick from street traders, not reputable public companies.”

TSSA said rail companies had so far refused to publish the exact percentage of discounted seats available. The union is now urging Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly to instruct companies to publish the information.

National Express East Coast spokesman Alan Hyde said: “This allegation is untrue and it’s disappointing that TSSA didn’t bother to check their facts beforehand. The reality is that our cheapest tickets were available and were sold on our Glasgow-London route over the three stated days in July.

“Over a 12-week booking period we typically offer three million tickets, one million of which are advance purchase and 100,000 of which are at our cheapest price. And when we run advertising campaigns to promote our headline fares, we typically exceed Trading Standards requirements by making 150,000 of our cheapest tickets available.

“Most people recognise the need to book ahead for the best prices. It’s hardly surprising that the lowest price tickets sell very quickly.”

The Association of Train Operating Companies said: “Advance rail tickets are popular as they offer excellent value for money and therefore sell very quickly.”