GWR launches new Flexi Season tickets offering at least 20% savings for commuters

Responding to changes in working patterns, the new Flexi Season ticket allows commuters to make eight return journeys over a 28-day window, while saving at least 20% on the cost of an equivalent monthly season ticket, when travelling two days a week at peak times.

The Flexi Season is designed for commuters looking to travel two or three days a week, plugging the gap between season tickets and purchasing multiple Anytime Return tickets.

Tickets go on sale from Monday 21 June for travel from Monday 28 June onwards.

GWR’s Head of Retail Lee Edworthy explains:

“Commuter travel patterns have been changing for a while, with an increase in part-time working or more flexible arrangements for the number of days required in the office.

“Covid-19 has rapidly hastened this and I’m pleased to be able to offer a new type of flexible ticket to reflect this change in travel behaviour and meet the changing needs of our customers.”

Announced by the Government as part of the Williams Shapps review, the Flexi Season ticket offers savings for commuters travelling during peak times, two to three days per week on routes that currently have season ticket availability.

Traditional season tickets will remain the most cost-effective option for those travelling at peak times for at least three days a week or more.

You can find out the cost of a Flexi season ticket and which ticket is right for your journey please visit: https://www.nationalrail.co.uk.

The savings that can be made will depend on the journey an individual makes, the number of days travel each week, and the length of the journey.

For example, commuters buying multiple new flexible season tickets could save the following in a year when compared to the cost of daily tickets:

Over £150 (2 days a week traveller) and over £225 (3 days a week traveller) between Cardiff Central and Bristol Temple Meads.

Flexi Season tickets will be available on GWR’s Smartcard and can be bought online at GWR.com, or on the GWR App. They will also be made available from ticket offices in the near future.

When travelling it will operate in a similar way to other types of electronic ticket, by tapping in and out at stations to record your journey. Customers will need to activate their Flexi

Season for each day they travel, which is done by tapping in/out at gates/validators or using the National Rail Smartcard Manager App.

I haven’t been on a train in a while, what do I need to know?

GWR has been providing rail services throughout the pandemic and has worked to ensure that these are as safe as possible. This includes increased cleaning regimes and the use of a virucidal spray; extra staff at key stations to offer help and guidance; and processes in place to help customers maintain a safe distance where possible, such as restricting the number of reservations available. 

For more information to help you travel with confidence please visit: https://www.gwr.com/travel-information/safety.

Notes to editors

Great Western Railway (GWR) provides high speed, commuter, regional and branch line train services. We help over 100 million passengers reach their destinations every year - across South Wales, the West Country, the Cotswolds, and large parts of Southern England.

We’re currently seeing the biggest investment in the network since Brunel so we can offer more trains, more seats, and shorter, more frequent journeys and continue the network’s heritage of helping connect more businesses to new and prosperous markets. Through a series of initiatives we aim to be a good neighbour to the communities we serve and are committed to making a positive social impact in those regions. Learn how we're Building a Greater West at GWR.com. GWR is a FirstGroup company.