From 29 August 2006, GNER is cutting its cheapest  fares by 10 per cent to encourage more people to book on the company’s website (www.gner.co.uk).  GNER is the first UK train operator permanently to reduce its online fares.

The new prices represent GNER’s cheapest ever permanent fares since starting services more than a decade ago and offers fares which, allowing for inflation, are up to six times cheaper than those available over 30 years ago.

Passengers buying Standard and First Class Advance tickets at www.gner.co.uk will get a 10 per cent discount in their pre-booked fare.  Standard Advance single fares booked online will start from £8.45 between London and Leeds or London and York, the equivalent of 2.8 pence per km on the London to York journey.  Return fares will start from £16.90. 

More than 1.3 million discounted Standard Advance fares will be available on almost all GNER services over the current 12-week booking period.  In addition, GNER is offering similar discounts on 600,000 First Advance tickets, if booked online.

Tickets can be purchased up to 18.00 the day before departure, but GNER advises passengers to book early for these great value fares as they are likely to be very popular.  Unlike some other websites, GNER does not charge a booking fee.

Clare Field, GNER’s sales and marketing director, said:  “This price reduction for customers buying online represents excellent value and should attract more people off Britain’s congested roads and out of the skies.  With punctuality improving, a rebuilt train fleet in service, award-winning on-board catering, WiFi now available on most trains and other improvements planned, there has never been a better time to travel by train.”

About a tenth of GNER’s tickets are currently bought through the company’s website, but the proportion is expected to grow over the next five years.