The Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) has announced changes to rail tickets types. This is claimed to be a simplification which will be helpful to customers. Some people may consider it to be a disguised fare increase.
In future there will be only three ticket types - Anytime, Advance and Off Peak.
Anytime Tickets are, as now, tickets one can buy immediately before travel. They are not restricted to specific trains (outward) or dates (return). They will be expensive. They will be available from 7th September.
Advance Tickets were introduced from 24th April. They ae cheaper than Anytime Tickets, but are restricted to a specific train at a specific time. They may be purchased until the day before travel. Railcard discounts apply to these tickets. There is a swingeing penalty for changing the time/date of travel. Some people will have bought various (old) types of advance tickets already.These will still be valid for the journeys specified on them.
Off Peak Tickets will be available from 7th September. Single and return versions will be on sale. Essentially, they will replace the existing Cheap Day Returns. The serious drawback is that there will be a late afternoon/early evening peak period during which they may not be used. This is expected to be from 3-30 p.m. to 6-15 p.m. - a serious drawback for those of us who use day returns for medium-distance journeys (e.g. Manchester; Sheffield) and in particular for students on daily journeys to college..
Ian