Virgin Trains permanently scraps peak train tickets on Fridays

Virgin Trains has permanently scrapped its Friday afternoon peak restrictions to the North West from London Euston.

The rail firm said it will ease overcrowding and enable weekend getaways to start earlier.

The huge difference in many peak and off-peak fares previously led to huge demand for the first Friday night off-peak trains at around 7pm.

This led to many passengers embarking on a weekend getaway having to stand for up to several hours on trains to Manchester, Liverpool, Chester and Preston.

Virgin Trains said congestion has eased since it began a trial to end Friday afternoon peak restrictions in July.

It has now decided to make the change permanent.

Virgin Trains reported an additional 3,500 journeys were made each Friday during the trial amid an increase in passenger satisfaction.

The firm's commercial director Sarah Copley said: "Rather than everyone waiting for the first off-peak train on Friday evening, people can now travel whenever's convenient for them.

"This change means we've been able to reduce congestion, whilst helping people save money and make an earlier start to their weekends."

The policy will significantly reduce the cost of many return journeys for passengers wanting to travel on Friday afternoon before 7pm, including to destinations such as Liverpool (#115.55 reduction), Manchester (#125.55 reduction) and Glasgow (#111.25 reduction).

Peak and off-peak fares are used by travel operators to smooth out demand by encouraging more people to travel on quieter services.

But the difference in fares can lead to a change in travel patterns, as experienced by Virgin Trains.

On the railway, peak restrictions are set by train operators, although there are constraints within franchise agreements about how and when they apply.