We have combined all our advance Purchase fares under one name as part of a national simplification of fares.
From 18 May 'Apex' and 'SuperAdvance' tickets will be replaced by 'Advance' tickets. These tickets will have common terms and conditions with all Train Operating Companies and Railcard discounts will be available for most national Railcards.
ATOC announced the new 'Advance' product on 24 April as part of its simplification of fares programme following passenger requests for a simpler structure for rail fares across the national rail network.
These changes were first trailed in the Government’s Railway White Paper, Delivering a Sustainable Railway, in July 2007, which incorporated proposals made by the Association of Train Operating Companies.
The changes mean that three main ticket types for single and return journeys will be available and Standard or First Class will be grouped into the following three categories:
Advance;
Off Peak (at some stations a Super Off Peak will also be available);
Anytime.
We introduced Peak (now Anytime), Off-peak and Super Off-peak last May (2007). By September all operators will have a similar three-tier ticketing structure.
Commenting on the changes, Bruce Akhurst, Marketing and Commercial Director at South West Trains, said:
"We are pleased to be part of this national simplification programme. We hope this will make it easier for people to see the great value we have to offer and, more importantly, they walk away with the right ticket."
Passengers booking now for journeys after 18 May will be able to book the new Advance fares. For journeys before 18 May, the old Apex and SuperAdvance tickets will be available.
Further details of the national changes to the fare structure can be found on the National Rail website.