Media Centre

National Express East Coast's website offers cheapest fares

7 Jul 2008

Train operator National Express East Coast has launched an initiative to highlight that rail fares on some websites are almost 50% more expensive than its own.

National Express East Coast offers a 10% online discount on its advance purchase fares if booked through its own award-winning website at www.nationalexpresseastcoast.com – and, unlike other sites, there are no hidden charges.

The initiative, which includes leaflets and posters, features National Express East Coast's popular £10 single fare between York or Leeds and London. The same ticket for the same seat on the same train costs £14.75 if booked via Trainline, which includes a £2.50 credit card charge (50 pence if using a debit card), £1 postage and 50 pence for using a self-service ticket machine. Trainline also excludes National Express 10% web discount.

The same £10 fare would cost £12.25, or more than 25% more, if booked with Raileasy, who charge a £1 booking fee on top of its £11.25 lowest fare.

And what's not widely known is that it is possible to buy a ticket on the National Express East Coast website for travel anywhere on the rail network. The site also has a Low Fare Finder service to help customers find the cheapest fares.

National Express East Coast managing director David Franks said: "Many customers are paying more for an identical journey because of the unnecessary extra charges levied by other online rail retailers. Why pay more than you have to?

"Our own, new-look website, which has been widely acclaimed, is the cheapest and easiest way to buy tickets. Also, what many customers do not realise is that they can use the National Express website to book connecting journeys, as well as tickets for the entire UK rail network, not just our own services."

For more information contact:
Media Centre
t: 0845 059 3988 or 0845 059 3494
e: media.centre@nationalexpress.com